Information Officer Grade
The entry requirements for Assistant Information Officer in the three streams are:
Assistant Information Officer (General)
Monthly Salary
Master Pay Scale Point 14 to Master Pay Scale Point 27
Entry Requirements
[Applicable to the 2026 recruitment exercise]
Applicants should have -
| (a) | a Bachelor’s degree from a Hong Kong university, or equivalent (Note 1); |
| and | |
| (b) | a pass result in the Aptitude Test in the Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) (Notes 2 and 6); |
| and | |
| (c) | a good command of both Chinese and English and have met the language proficiency requirements of Level 2 in the two language papers (Use of Chinese and Use of English) in the CRE, or equivalent (Notes 2 to 6); |
| and | |
| (d) | a pass result in the Basic Law and National Security Law Test (BLNST) (Note 7). |
(Remark: For the 2026 recruitment exercise, candidates will be required to pass the Joint Recruitment Examination (JRE) to be held tentatively on 5 December 2026. (Notes 8 to 12))
Duties:
Information Officers (General) are professional communications officers who play a key role in the HKSAR Government’s public communications and engagement work. They are involved in news services, publicity, public relations, media liaison, information dissemination and the promotion of government policies and initiatives. Posted to the Information Services Department Headquarters, different bureaux and departments at regular intervals, they enjoy variety in their career and contribute to different areas of publicity and public relations work in the Government.
NOTES
- Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree or equivalent and graduating in 2026-27 or 2027-28 academic years may also apply. If selected, appointment will be subject to, among others, the attainment of requisite academic qualification in 2026-27 or 2027-28 academic year respectively.
- Candidates’ results in the Aptitude Test (AT) paper of the CRE are classified as Pass or Fail, while the results of the Use of Chinese (UC) and Use of English (UE) papers of the CRE are classified as Level 2, Level 1 or Fail, with Level 2 being the highest. Level 2 and Level 1 results of the two language papers and Pass result of the AT paper obtained from December 2006 onwards are of permanent validity. Applicants with valid requisite results in the AT, UC and UE papers obtained in previous CREs are deemed to have met the entry requirements (b) and (c) of the post.
- Level 5 or above in Chinese Language of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSEE) is accepted as equivalent to Level 2 in the UC paper of the CRE. Level 5 or above in English Language of the HKDSEE is accepted as equivalent to Level 2 in the UE paper of the CRE.
- Grade C or above in Chinese Language and Culture or Chinese Language and Literature of the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE) is accepted as equivalent to Level 2 in the UC paper of the CRE. Grade C or above in Use of English of the HKALE or in English Language of the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) (GCE A Level) is accepted as equivalent to Level 2 in the UE paper of the CRE.
- An overall band of 6.5 or above with no subtest score below band 6 obtained in the same sitting in the Academic Module of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) within the two-year validity period of the test is accepted as equivalent to Level 2 in the UE paper of the CRE. The IELTS test result must be valid on any date during the application period.
- Applicants who have not attained the requisite CRE results, or equivalent, may also apply for the post(s). They will be arranged to take the relevant paper(s) in a designated CRE on the same day of JRE or another date within December 2026. Their applications will be processed subject to their obtaining the requisite CRE results.
- All applicants for civil service jobs will be assessed on their knowledge of the Basic Law and the National Security Law. Attaining a pass result in the BLNST is an entry requirement for all civil service jobs. Only those candidates who have passed the BLNST will be considered for appointment. Local candidates who have not taken the relevant BLNST or have not attained a pass result in the relevant BLNST at the time of application, they may still apply for the post(s). They must separately apply for Digitalised BLNST (application details are available in www.csb.gov.hk/eng/dblnst.html) and obtain a pass result before the specified date (i.e. 5 December 2026) in order to be considered for appointment. Their applications will be processed subject to their obtaining the requisite BLNST results.
- Eligible applicants will be arranged to sit the JRE to be held tentatively on 5 December 2026. Candidates residing or studying outside Hong Kong may take the JRE on the same date outside Hong Kong.
- As it takes time to process all applications, an invitation to the JRE does not imply that an applicant has met the entry requirements of the post(s) being applied for.
- Eligible applicants should immediately contact the Civil Service Examinations Unit by phone at (852) 2537 6429 or by e-mail to csbcseu@csb.gov.hk if they do not receive the e-mail notifying them of the relevant details of the JRE by 23 November 2026.
- Any request for review of examination results of the JRE should be sent by e-mail to Civil Service Examinations Unit (e-mail address: csbcseu@csb.gov.hk) within 7 calendar days from the date of notification as to whether an applicant is invited to attend selection interview. Requests submitted by post, fax or in person will NOT be accepted. Late requests will not be entertained. Please note that a review of JRE results may lead to upward, downward or no adjustment to the original marks.
- There is no overseas recruitment for the Executive Officer II, Assistant Information Officer (General), Assistant Trade Officer II, Management Services Officer II and Transport Officer II posts. Nonetheless, applicants residing or studying outside Hong Kong may choose to take the JRE to be held tentatively outside Hong Kong on 5 December 2026. Applicants should however note that selection interviews of the Executive Officer II, Assistant Information Officer (General), Assistant Trade Officer II, Management Services Officer II and Transport Officer II recruitment exercises will be conducted in Hong Kong only.
Assistant Information Officer (Design)
Monthly Salary
Master Pay Scale Point 14 to Master Pay Scale Point 27 (Note 1)
Entry Requirements
[Applicable to the 2022 recruitment exercise; details will be reviewed and updated for the next recruitment exercise.]
Applicants should have -
| (a) |
|
| or | |
| (b) |
|
| or | |
| (c) |
|
| or | |
| (d) |
|
and
(e) a pass result in the Basic Law and National Security Law Test (BLNST) (Degree / Professional Grades).
Duties:
Assistant Information Officers (Design) are mainly deployed on preparing design and artwork; assisting in the production of a wide range of publicity materials, publications, exhibitions, displays and audio-visual presentations; and assisting in the safekeeping and maintenance of equipment in Information Services Department, Secretariat Press Office or a departmental Information and Public Relations Unit. They may be required to work shift.
NOTES
- Successful applicants with qualifications specified at items (b), (c) and (d) under Entry Requirements above will be appointed at two points below the minimum of the pay scale, i.e. Master Pay Scale Point 12.
- Candidates studying in the final year for the courses stipulated in items (a)(i) and (b)(i) above may also apply; if selected, appointment will be subject to their obtaining the requisite academic qualification within the current academic year.
- Applicants with qualifications stipulated in items (a)(i), (b)(i) and (c)(i) above should indicate in the application forms their major area of studies.
- The results of the Use of Chinese (UC) and Use of English (UE) papers in the CRE are classified as Level 2, Level 1 or Fail, with Level 2 being the highest.
- For civil service appointment purpose, Level 5 or above in Chinese Language of the HKDSEE; or Grade C or above in Chinese Language and Culture or Chinese Language and Literature of the HKALE, are accepted as equivalent to Level 2 in the UC paper of the CRE. Level 4 in Chinese Language of the HKDSEE; or Grade D in Chinese Language and Culture or Chinese Language and Literature of the HKALE, are accepted as equivalent to Level 1 in the UC paper of the CRE. Level 5 or above in English Language of the HKDSEE; or Grade C or above in Use of English of the HKALE; or Grade C or above in English Language of the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) (GCE A Level), are accepted as equivalent to Level 2 in the UE paper of the CRE. Level 4 in English Language of the HKDSEE; or Grade D in Use of English of the HKALE; or Grade D in English Language of the GCE A Level, are accepted as equivalent to Level 1 in the UE paper of the CRE.
- Applicants with an overall band of 6.5 or above with no subtest score below band 6 obtained in the same sitting in the Academic Module of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) within the two-year validity period of the test result are accepted as equivalent to Level 2 in the UE Paper of the CRE. The IELTS test result must be valid on any date during the application period.
- For civil service appointment purpose, Grade C and Grade E in Chinese Language and English Language (Syllabus B) in previous HKCEE are accepted administratively as comparable to Level 3 and Level 2 respectively in Chinese Language and English Language in the 2007 HKCEE and henceforth.
- For civil service appointment purpose, “Attained with Distinction” in Applied Learning Chinese (for non-Chinese speaking students) (ApL(C)) in the HKDSEE is accepted as equivalent to level 3 in Chinese Language in the HKDSEE; “Attained” in ApL(C) in the HKDSEE is accepted as equivalent to level 2 in Chinese Language in the HKDSEE.
- The subjects may include Chinese Language and English Language.
Assistant Information Officer (Photography and Video Production)
Monthly Salary
Master Pay Scale Point 14 to Master Pay Scale Point 27 (Note 1)
Entry Requirements
[Applicable to the 2025 recruitment exercise; the entry requirements will be reviewed and updated for the next recruitment exercise.]
Applicants should have -
| (a) |
|
| or | |
| (b) |
|
| or | |
| (c) |
|
| or | |
| (d) |
|
and
(e) a pass result in the Basic Law and National Security Law Test (BLNST) (Degree / Professional Grades).
Duties:
Assistant Information Officers (Photography and Video Production) are mainly deployed on undertaking basic photographic or video/film production assignments and assisting in the safekeeping and maintenance of equipment in Information Services Department, Secretariat Press Office or a departmental Information and Public Relations Unit. They may be required to work shift.
NOTES
- Successful applicants with qualifications specified at items (b), (c) and (d) under the Entry Requirements above will be appointed at two points below the minimum of the pay scale, i.e. Master Pay Scale Point 12.
- Current final year/penultimate year undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor’s degree or equivalent with photography or video/film production as a subject taken at item (a) above and graduating in the year of 2025 or 2026 may also apply. If selected, appointment will be subject to, among others, the attainment of requisite academic qualification (i.e. bachelor’s degree from a Hong Kong university, or equivalent) in the year of 2025 or 2026 respectively.
- Applicants with academic qualifications specified at items (a), (b) and (c) under the Entry Requirements should indicate their major area(s) of studies in the application forms. They are required to submit copies of relevant certificates and academic transcripts in support of their academic qualifications.
- Students studying in the final year for the courses stipulated at item (b) above may also apply. If selected, appointment will be subject to, among others, the attainment of requisite academic qualification (i.e. accredited Associate Degree/Higher Diploma from a Hong Kong tertiary institution, or equivalent) in the year of 2025.
- The results of the Use of Chinese (UC) and Use of English (UE) papers in the CRE are classified as Level 2, Level 1 or Fail, with Level 2 being the highest.
- For civil service appointment purpose, Level 5 or above in Chinese Language of the HKDSEE; or Grade C or above in Chinese Language and Culture or Chinese Literature of the HKALE, are accepted as equivalent to Level 2 in the UC paper of the CRE. Level 4 in Chinese Language of the HKDSEE; or Grade D in Chinese Language and Culture or Chinese Literature of the HKALE, are accepted as equivalent to Level 1 in the UC paper of the CRE.
- For civil service appointment purpose, Level 5 or above in English Language of the HKDSEE; or Grade C or above in Use of English of the HKALE; or Grade C or above in English Language of the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) (GCE A Level), are accepted as equivalent to Level 2 in the UE paper of the CRE. Level 4 in English Language of the HKDSEE; or Grade D in Use of English of the HKALE; or Grade D in English Language of the GCE A Level, are accepted as equivalent to Level 1 in the UE paper of the CRE.
- For civil service appointment purpose, applicants with an overall band of 6.5 or above with no subtest score below band 6 obtained in the same sitting in the Academic Module of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) within the two-year validity period of the test are accepted as equivalent to Level 2 in the UE Paper of the CRE. The IELTS test result must be valid on any date during the application period.
- For civil service appointment purpose, Grade C and Grade E in Chinese Language and English Language (Syllabus B) in previous HKCEE are accepted administratively as comparable to Level 3 and Level 2 respectively in Chinese Language and English Language in the 2007 HKCEE and henceforth.
- For civil service appointment purpose, “Attained with Distinction” in Applied Learning subjects (subject to a maximum of two Applied Learning subjects), and Grade C in Other Language subjects in HKDSEE are accepted as equivalent to Level 3 in the New Senior Secondary subjects in HKDSEE. “Attained” in Applied Learning subjects (subject to a maximum of two Applied Learning subjects), and Grade E in Other Language subjects in HKDSEE are accepted as equivalent to Level 2 in the New Senior Secondary subjects in HKDSEE.
- The subjects may include Chinese Language and English Language.
- Candidates who have acquired relevant experience as a full-time photographer, video cameraman or video editor are advised to clearly indicate in detail the “Position Held” and the “Nature of Work” under “Employment Record” of the application form (G.F. 340 (Rev. 7/2023)).
BASIC LAW AND NATIONAL SECURITY LAW TEST
All applicants for civil service jobs will be assessed on their knowledge of the Basic Law and National Security Law. A pass result in the Basic Law and National Security Law Test is an entry requirement for all civil service jobs. Only those candidates who have passed the Basic Law and National Security Law Test will be considered for appointment.
For details, please visit the following Civil Service Bureau's website: Basic Law and National Security Law Test
GENERAL NOTES
- Candidates must be permanent residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region at the time of appointment unless specified otherwise.
- As an Equal Opportunities Employer, the Government is committed to eliminating discrimination in employment. The vacancy advertised is open to all applicants meeting the basic entry requirement irrespective of their disability, sex, marital status, pregnancy, age, family status, sexual orientation and race.
- Civil service vacancies are posts on the civil service establishment. Candidates selected for these vacancies will be appointed on civil service terms of appointment and conditions of service and will become civil servants on appointment.
- The entry pay, terms of appointment and conditions of service to be offered are subject to the provisions prevailing at the time the offer of appointment is made.
- The information on the maximum pay point is for reference only and may be subject to changes.
- Fringe benefits include paid leave, medical and dental benefits, and where appropriate, assistance in housing.
- Where a large number of candidates meet the specified entry requirements, the recruiting department may devise shortlisting criteria to select the better qualified candidates for further processing. In these circumstances, only shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend the Basic Law and National Security Law Test, trade test, recruitment examination and/or interview.
- It is Government policy to place people with a disability in appropriate jobs wherever possible. If a disabled candidate meets the entry requirements, he/she will be invited to attend the Basic Law and National Security Law Test, trade test, selection interview and/or written examination without being subject to further shortlisting. Applicants who have declared disabilities found suitable for appointment may be given an appropriate degree of preference over other applicants whose suitability for appointment is considered comparable to that of the former. The Government policy and other related measures on employment of persons with disabilities are set out in the booklet “Employ People Based on Their Abilities – Application for Government Jobs by Persons with Disabilities” which is available for reference on the Civil Service Bureau's website at (https://www.csb.gov.hk) under “Administration of the Civil Service – Appointments”.
- Holders of academic qualifications other than those obtained from Hong Kong institutions/Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority may also apply but their qualifications will be subject to assessments on equivalence with the required entry qualifications.
- Civil service vacancies information contained in this column is also available on the GovHK on the Internet at https://www.gov.hk.
- Towards the application deadline, our on-line system would likely be overloaded due to large volume of applications. To ensure timely completion of your on-line application, it is advisable to submit the application as early as possible.
ENQUIRIES
For enquiries on JRE, CRE and BLNST, please contact the Civil Service Examination Unit of Civil Service Bureau at 2537 6429 or email to csbcseu@csb.gov.hk.
For enquiries on the recruitment of Assistant Information Officers, please contact the Human Resource Management Section of this Department at 2801 7231 or email to recruitment@isd.gov.hk.
