The 2023 APS Employee Census overall results

The 2023 APS Employee Census was administered from 8 May to 9 June 2023. Responses were received from 127,436 APS employees across 103 agencies. This represents an 80% response rate – and is the highest number of responses ever received for the annual survey.

Performance

The majority of respondents (82%) rated their workgroup’s overall performance as excellent or very good. Similarly, almost three-quarters (69%) rated their agency as excellent or very good at meeting its goals and objectives (71% in 2022).

In 2023, 78% of respondents thought their workgroup had the appropriate skills, capabilities and knowledge to perform well. This question has seen a slight decrease in the results since 2022 (80%) and 2021 (81%). The vast majority (88%) said the people in their workgroup cooperated to get the job done (89% in 2022).

Employee Engagement

The APS Employee Census uses a model of employee engagement that measures the emotional connection and commitment employees have to working for their organisation. The Employee Engagement Index score for the APS remained stable since 2021 at 73%.

Service to Australians

In 2023, 92% of respondents said they understood how their role contributed to achieving an outcome for the Australian public (92% in 2022). Respondents also reported they believed strongly in the purpose and objectives of the APS (84% in 2023; 85% in 2022).

Leadership

The SES Manager Leadership index score remained steady on 69. While results indicate that employees are viewing their SES leaders positively, there was a slight decrease across all measures of SES performance. Approximately three-quarters of respondents (73%) agreed their SES manager ensured their work efforts contributed toward the strategic direction of the Agency and the APS (74% in 2022; 73% in 2021; 71% in 2020; 67% in 2019). A majority (66%) thought their SES manager promoted cooperation within and between agencies (67% in 2022; 66% in 2021; 64% in 2020).

Perceptions of immediate supervisors remained very positive. The majority of employees (87%) felt their supervisor ensures that their workgroup delivers on its responsibilities (87% in 2022 and 2021; 85% in 2020; 79% in 2019).   

Wellbeing policies and support

The Wellbeing Policies and Support Index in the APS Employee Census measures both the practical and cultural elements that allow for a sustainable and healthy working environment. In 2023, the APS Wellbeing Policies and Support Index score remained stable from 2022 on 68.

In 2023, one in three respondents (33%) reported feeling burned out by their work. This was a slight increase in perceptions of burnout from 2022 (32%). Rates will continue to be monitored in future administrations of the APS Employee Census.

APS Values and the Code of Conduct

The proportion of respondents experiencing bullying and harassment slightly increased in 2023 (10.4%, from 9.7% in 2022). Similarly, the proportion of respondents who perceived discrimination in 2023 (10.4%) also slightly increased (10% in 2022).

In 2023, 3.2% of employees indicated having witnessed potential corruption (3.1% in 2022).