Capability reviews

Capability reviews have been reintroduced, as announced by the Australian Government in October 2022. Four were underway at 30 June 2023 for the:

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

Capability reviews aim to facilitate discussions around an organisation’s desired future state, highlighting strengths and identifying organisational capability gaps. They help embed a culture of continuous improvement within the Australian Public Service to deliver for Government.

The agencies in the 2022–23 cohort differ in focus, size and day-to-day work. However, interim findings suggest some common areas for further development:

  • workforce planning
  • strategic policy
  • engaging and collaborating across the APS
  • breaking down internal silos
  • better use of the data agencies collect
  • the importance of investment in digital and data

Each review is conducted in partnership with the agency being reviewed and is led by a Senior Review 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.

The current program is managed by the APSC and builds on its earlier capability review program which began in 2010. The APSC has benefited from generous advice and support from Western Australia’s Public Sector Commission and New Zealand’s Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission, which run similar review programs.

Capability review reports are used by agencies to develop and implement action plans. Reports and their corresponding action plans are published on the APSC website.

See also

Australian Public Service Commission (n.d.) Capability Review Program, APSC website, https://www.apsc.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/workforce-information/research-analysis-and-publications/capability-review-program, accessed 10 July 2023.

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