Appendix I Definitions and glossary | Australian Public Service Commission

This is an independent report representing the views of the Hierarchy and Classification Review panel.

Term	Definition/Glossary
Agency	(a) a Department; (b) an Executive Agency or (c) a Statutory Agency as defined in s7 of the Public Service Act 1999.
Agency Head	(a) the Secretary of a Department; or (b) the Head of an Executive Agency; or (c) the Head of a Statutory Agency as defined in s7 of the Public Service Act 1999.
APS Academy	The Academy was established in July 2021 as a networked hub to support learning and development initiatives across the APS. Its focus is core APS capabilities, including: working in government, engagement and partnership, leadership and management and strategy, policy and evaluation.
APS Employment Database (APSED)	The database collates and stores the employment data of all current and former APS employees. It is maintained by the APSC and used information provided by agencies.
APS Professional Streams	There are currently three professional streams. APS Data – Launched in September 2020 to lift the capability of the workforce in generating deeper data insights to inform decision-making in policy development, programme management or service delivery. APS Digital – Launched in April 2020 to lift the digital expertise of staff to meet the long term capability needs required to transform government services. APS Human Resources– Launched in October 2019 this stream seeks to build and uplift strategic HR skills across the APS by identifying core, long-term capability needs, standards and career pathways.
APSC	Australian Public Service Commission
*Public Service Classification Rules 2000* (Classification Rules)	The Classification rules are a legislative instrument under section 23 of the Public Service Act 1999, outlining the APS wide framework for approved classifications in the APS, including training classifications. The assessment for each classification is based on the work value of the duties being performed.
Chief Operating Officers (COO) Committee	The Chief Operating Officers Committee is a sub-committee of the Secretaries Board. It first met in February 2020 with a remit to embed an enterprise-wide approach to APS operations and management. It is comprised of the Chief Operating Officers from all departments and major agencies.
CSIRO	Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Integrated Leadership System (ILS)	The Integrated Leadership system was launched in July 2004. It supports the building and sustainment of strong APS wide leadership and provides capability descriptions and desired behaviours for each APS level.
Independent review of the APS	The aim of Independent Review of the APS was to identify reforms to ensure the APS is fit-for-purpose for the coming decades, and to guide and accelerate future reform activities. The Australian Government released the report in December 2019 and announced an ambitious APS reform agenda.
Optimal Management Structure (OMS)	In 2014 the APSC published a framework for establishing Optimal Management Structures. This framework requires agencies to have the smallest number of organisational layers necessary to perform effectively.
Secretaries Board	Means the Secretaries Board established by s64 of the Public Service Act 1999. The Secretaries Board has a number of functions, it is responsible for the stewardship of the APS and for developing and implementing strategies to improve the APS. The Secretaries Board is responsible for delivery of the APS reform program, with the Secretary of PM&C and the APS Commissioner the chief change leaders.
Senior Executive Service (SES)	SES established by s35 of the Public Service Act 1999. The role of the Senior Executive Service is to provide APS-wide strategic leadership of the highest quality that contributes to an effective and cohesive APS.
Work Level Standards (WLS)	WLS provide a consistent platform for classifying jobs across the APS, structured to differentiate work expected (i.e. responsibilities and duties) at each level.