Role of the Australian Public Service Commissioner

The Public Service Commissioner occupies an important central role within the APS promoting the APS Values, evaluating performance and compliance, and helping to build the capability of the Service.

The Public Service Commissioner has both statutory powers (under the Public Service Act 1999) and policy responsibilities. He reports annually to Parliament on the state of the Service, including an evaluation of the extent to which agencies have incorporated the APS Values and the adequacy of their systems and procedures for ensuring compliance with the Code of Conduct.

The Public Service Commissioner also:

• endorses the process relating to the selection for employment of SES staff
  (Merit and transparency: Merit-based selection of APS agency heads and APS statutory office holders, Senior Executive Service (SES): Selection, mobility and separation)
• implements machinery of government changes
  (Merit and transparency: Merit-based selection of APS agency heads and statutory office holders)
• inquires into reports by APS employees alleging breaches of the Code of Conduct (whistleblower reports), generally where such reports have first been considered and/or inquired into by the relevant agency
  (Values in the Australian Public Service)
• reports to the Public Service Minister on any matter relating to the APS, including agreement making under the Australian Public Service Bargaining Framework.
  (State of the Service, Australian Public Service Bargaining Framework)

The Commissioner's policy responsibilities include:

• promoting and upholding the merit principle
• developing people management policies and practices in recruitment, selection, mobility, conduct, performance, redeployment and retirement
• facilitating continuous improvement in people management throughout the APS
• fostering leadership in the APS
• coordinating and supporting APS-wide training and career development opportunities in the APS
• participating in APS agency head and statutory office holder selection processes
• promoting and reporting on workplace diversity in the APS, including Indigenous employment
• providing policy advice and support in relation to workplace relations within Australian Government employment.