Welcome
The Australian Public Service Commission promotes good practice in managing people, supports leadership and learning and development in the Australian Public Service (APS), 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.
Caretaker conventions
On Saturday morning the Prime Minister announced her intention to hold an election on August 21 and the Governor-General dissolved the House of Representatives on the evening of Monday 19 July.
The current Gillard Government now assumes a ‘caretaker’ role and a number of important constraints or conventions come into operation. More information on these conventions can be found on our Caretaker conventions page
Machinery of Government: Australian Government Bargaining Framework
From 1 July 2010 responsibility for Australian Government policies for public sector agreement-making, classification structures, APS pay and employment conditions, work level standards and workplace relations advice, has been transferred from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) to the Commission.
Information on the framework is available at: www.workplace.gov.au/workplace/Organisation/Government/Federal/AgreementMaking/
Our Values online forum
The Government has tasked the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) with revising the APS Values into a smaller, tighter set of values that are meaningful, memorable and effective in driving change.
We want to get a set of Values that will be relevant and useful to all APS employees and guide strong performance across the APS. To help us do this, we are asking for your input.
Secretaries Board and the APS 200
Central to APS reform is the establishment of two leadership groups:
- a Secretaries Board, accountable for achieving excellence across the APS; and
- the APS 200, a senior leadership forum to support the Secretaries Board.
The Secretaries Board is a new leadership forum that has replaced the Management Advisory Committee and the Portfolio Secretaries meeting as the preeminent forum for discussion of issues affecting the Australian Public Service.
Members of the APS200 have a standing role as a leader in the APS – this role is not restricted to within their one agency. In addition to their role as leaders in their organisations and more widely across the APS, APS200 members will also support the Secretaries Board by undertaking strategic projects and initiatives as cross-portfolio teams.
Empowering change: Fostering innovation in the Australian Public Service
Innovation is at the heart of good public administration. A high-performing public service is relentless in its commitment to continuous improvement. It never assumes that the current policies, processes and services are the best or only solution.
This report is part of a broader agenda for rejuvenating the APS. The MAC Executive believes strongly that embedding a culture of innovation within the APS is a vital component of that rejuvenation. This dedicated review of innovation will help to create a solid foundation for tackling not only the challenges of today, but those that are yet to arise.
Connections: insights from the front line
The Commission is pleased to offer a new leadership and talent development opportunity for Senior Executive Band 3 officers of the Australian Public Service to strengthen connections between policy development and service delivery.
Connections enables Senior Executive Band 3 officers to gain experience in a front-line agency directly serving Australian citizens. Candidates will experience first hand the challenges and complexities of service delivery.
Participation in the program by senior policy makers and advisers will enable them to gain a better understanding of citizens’ experiences and needs, and develop improved policy–service delivery connections. This will assist in ensuring that citizens are considered paramount when agencies develop and plan the implementation of government policies, programs and services.
Ethics Advisory Service
The Ethics Advisory Service is available to all APS employees who want advice on ethical issues in the workplace and on how to make sound decisions around these issues. An enquiries line has been established to help employees who wish to discuss and seek advice on ethical issues that occur in the workplace and on how to make sound decisions around these issues.
Enquiries: Monday – Friday from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm AEST
Phone: 02 6202 3737
Email: ethics@apsc.gov.au
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The Gershon Review
The Commission has the lead responsibility for implementing two recommendations of the review.
The 2010–11 Commonwealth Budget
For information on the Commonwealth Budget go to the Budget website at www.budget.gov.au
APS Career Transition and Support Centre
The Government has established a Career Transition and Support Centre to assist with the redeployment of excess and potentially excess staff and to provide advice to agencies on redeployment and recruitment matters. Further information is available at the Career transition centre page.
About our Minister
Ministerial content including speeches and media releases is available here (external website).
