Flexible work is a core part of the way the APS does business.
The APS is committed to creating flexible workplaces that embrace diversity and meet the expectations of the Australian community and our workforce.
The Secretaries Board endorsed a principles based approach to flexible work on 28 March 2023.
Secretaries recognise that flexibility strengthens the APS’ ability to deliver strong outcomes, improves our workforce’s resilience, helps employees balance their work and personal priorities and helps position the APS as an employer of choice.
Principles of Flexible Work in the APS
The principles of flexible work seek to embed flexibility in the way we work and provide a framework for considering flexibility at the individual, team and organisation level.
The Principles outline that in the APS:
- Flexibility applies to all roles, with different types of flexibility being suitable for different roles;
- Flexibility needs to be mutually beneficial;
- Organisational and team needs frame conversations about individual flexibility arrangements;
- Flexible work arrangements value meaningful and regular face-to-face contact; and
- Flexibility is embedded, modelled and refined.
The full version of the Principles can be found here.
Intersection with the APS bargaining
Workplace flexibility was a central issue in APS bargaining, with bargaining parties reaching broad agreement on a common clause to be included in all APS enterprise agreements. The clause emphasises a bias towards approving flexible working arrangements requested by an employee, while ensuring every employee can maintain their role to deliver for the Australian public. This provision will be progressively implemented as new enterprise agreements commence in each agency. Further information on APS-wide bargaining is available here.
Contacts
- For general enquiries related to the APS Flexible Work Principles, please contact the APS Future of Work Taskforce at: FoWTaskforce@apsc.gov.au
- For APS Bargaining related queries please contact the Workplace Relations Bargaining Taskforce at: WRreform@apsc.gov.au