Annual Report 2010–11
AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER
STEPHEN SEDGWICK
October 2011
The Honourable Julia Gillard MP
Prime Minister
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Dear Prime Minister
In accordance with section 44 of the Public Service Act 1999, I am pleased to present my annual report for the year ended 30 June 2011. This report includes the annual report of the Merit Protection Commissioner, as required by section 51 of the Public Service Act 1999.
This report has been prepared in accordance with section 44(4) of the Public Service Act 1999, which requires that you table the report in Parliament. It reflects the Requirements for annual reports for departments, executive agencies and FMA Act bodies endorsed by the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit in July 2011.
The report includes the Commission’s audited financial statements as required by section 57 of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997.
In addition, and as required by the Commonwealth Fraud Control Guidelines, I certify that I am satisfied that the Commission has in place appropriate fraud control mechanisms that meet the Commission’s needs and that comply with the guidelines applying in 2010–11.
Yours sincerely
Stephen Sedgwick
Australian Public Service Commissioner
The Commission at a glance
Our role
The Australian Public Service Commission promotes good practice in strengthening the capability of the Australian Public Service (APS) to meet the evolving needs of citizens and the government, supports leadership and learning and development in the APS, and fosters ethical behaviour and workplaces that value diversity.
We also have an important evaluation role in working with agencies to ensure that the APS is performing effectively and consistently with the APS Values.
Our mission
To lead and shape a unified, high-performing APS.
Highlights from 2010–11
During 2010–11, the Commission:
- established the Strategic Centre for Leadership, Learning and Development, to ensure that the APS has a contemporary, systematic approach to learning and development, leadership development and talent management, built around APS needs
- substantially progressed a major project to amend the Public Service Act 1999 in line with recommendations of the report Ahead of the game: Blueprint for the reform of Australian Government administration, to support the APS workforce and leadership and embed new practices and behaviour in the culture of the APS
- focused on raising awareness across the APS about the development of an organisation’s capability and its human capital in the context of workforce planning, capability reviews, talent management, leadership development and innovation
- worked to document the concept of human capital, identify the benefits of a human capital framework, gather the evidence base and develop the tools to support the framework, and outline and test the key elements of the framework with agencies
- completed a process of wide-ranging consultation on proposed new APS Values with employees, agencies and other stakeholders
- developed a methodology and model for conducting agency capability reviews, and completed the first pilot capability review with the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. A second pilot review with the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has commenced
- as part of its workplace planning function, began developing an APS-wide workforce planning framework that can be used by agencies to develop fit-for-purpose workforce plans
- developed for government consideration and implemented government’s decisions in respect of the new Australian Public Service Bargaining Framework, which commenced on 31 January 2011
- completed the significant steps to transform the Commission and its governance arrangements, people and systems to support its new and ongoing activities.
Guide to the report
The Australian Public Service Commissioner’s annual report 2010–11 is provided in accordance with the provisions of section 44 of the Public Service Act 1999 (the PS Act). The report has been developed with the aim of transparent reporting under the Commission’s outcome and program structure.
Part 1: Overview
The report’s overview includes the Public Service Commissioner’s review and an overview of the Commission’s role and responsibilities, outcome and program structure, organisational structure and financial performance. The Commissioner’s review summarises some of the principal developments affecting the work of the Commission, including highlights of significant achievements during 2010–11.
Part 2: Performance review
The performance review provides a detailed discussion of the Commission’s performance under its three programs. The performance information in Part 2 covers the Commission as a whole. To ensure comprehensive reporting against the program structure, the performance review includes the work of the Merit Protection Commissioner.
Part 3: Management and accountability
The management and accountability component of the report provides an overview of the Commission’s approach to corporate governance and the management of resources within the Commission.
Part 4: Annual report of the Merit Protection Commissioner
In accordance with the provisions of section 51 of the PS Act, Part 4 contains the Merit Protection Commissioner’s report on her statutory role and responsibilities.
Part 5: Financial statements
Part 5 contains the Commission’s audited financial statements for 2010–11.
Appendices
The appendices provide detailed information on staffing, occupational health and safety, freedom of information and other matters relevant to the Commission’s activities.
Contact us
The Commission welcomes your comments on this report. To make a comment, or to request more information, please contact:
Steve Tomlin
Client Engagement
Australian Public Service Commission
16 Furzer Street
Phillip ACT 2606
Tel: (02) 6202 3526
Fax: (02) 6264 5153
Email: steve.tomlin@apsc.gov.au
Website: www.apsc.gov.au
Internet address for report: www.apsc.gov.au/annualreport/1011/