Capability reviews

The Capability Review Program published 5 reviews in 2023–24. Capability reviews are independent, forward-looking reviews assessing an agency’s ability to meet future objectives and challenges.

These reviews give agency heads the information they need to improve their agency’s readiness. They facilitate discussions around an organisation’s desired future state, highlighting strengths and identifying capability gaps.

More broadly, capability reviews give a sense of Australian Public Service capability strengths and areas for development. Findings to date suggest that the APS benefits from a highly committed workforce. Pockets of excellent practice are found throughout the service, where work groups are clear leaders in their fields.

Findings so far also suggest there may be capability gaps in partnerships with communities, strategic thinking, and workforce planning capability in the APS. Building on these capabilities will help agencies meet future needs.

Each capability review is conducted transparently with the agency being reviewed. Each is led by a team of independent and senior APS reviewers.

Findings are set out in a report that assesses agencies against comparable standards to identify common themes and share best practice between all APS agencies. Agency heads prepare and publish action plans responding to review findings, outlining how improvements will be made.

These capability review reports were published in 2023–24:

  • Australian Public Service Commission
  • Health and Aged Care
  • Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
  • Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
  • Home Affairs.

The Public Service Amendment Act 2024 passed in June makes capability reviews an ongoing requirement. Reviews are to be completed every 5 years for departments of state, the Australian Public Service Commission, Services Australia and the Australian Taxation Office.

See also in this report

Capability and leadership – Strategic workforce planning

Fit for the future – Futures and foresight capability

Find out more

Australian Public Service Commission (n.d.) Capability Review Program, APSC website, accessed 12 July 2024.

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