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MOBILITY WITHIN THE APS

Figure 2.11 illustrates how mobility between agencies has varied over the past 10 years, with some decline since 1998—99. The transfer rate has mostly been higher than the promotion rate between agencies.⁶ During 2003—04, the transfer rate between agencies was 1.0%, and the promotion rate was 0.5%, compared with 1.2% and 0.6% respectively in the previous twelve months. Indeed, during this year, only 7.1% of all promotions were between agencies. The overall number of promotions also fell, from 13,460 in 2002—03 to 8625 in 2003—04.

Mobility between agencies is generally higher for women than men. During 2003—04, the overall mobility rate for women was 1.7%, compared with 1.3% for men.

Figure 2.11: Ongoing staff–promotion and transfer rates between agencies, 1994—95 to 2003—04

Source: APSED

6 Transfer and promotion rates are calculated as the number of movements during a financial year, divided by the average of the number of staff at the beginning and end of the period. The terminology of ‘transfer’ and ‘promotion’ have been used in this chapter because they are commonly understood by most APS employees. The terminology adopted under the PS Act is ‘movement at level’ for transfer between agencies. Promotion is defined as ‘the assignment to the employee of duties at a higher classification than the employee’s current classification (whether or not the employee moves to another agency)’.