Corporate plan 2021-22
Commissioner's Foreword
As the accountable authority of the Australian Public Service Commission, I am pleased to present our 2021–22 Corporate Plan, as required under paragraph 35(1)(b) of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013. This plan is prepared for the financial year 2021–22, and also covers the subsequent financial years 2022–23 to 2024–25.
This plan outlines the Commission’s priorities and strategies for the year ahead to achieve our purpose— to position the Australian Public Service (APS) workforce for the future to ensure it meets the demands and expectations of the Australian Government and people.
Throughout 2020–21, the APS has worked as one enterprise to solve challenges and deliver essential support to all Australians. Close collaboration across the Service has allowed the APS to leverage a wide range of skills and expertise, and sees us emerge from challenging times with new strengths and greater diversity of insight. The last 18 months demonstrated that we can never fully anticipate what the future may hold. However we can be confident that our continuing investment in the capability of our workforce will ensure the APS remains equipped and ready to support the Government and the public.
Individual and organisational capability and leadership will be central to ensuring that the APS is able to deliver the Government’s priorities. In partnership with APS agencies, the Commission is committed to taking a collaborative, service-wide approach to lifting APS capability, building leadership and maintaining an APS of the highest standards.
In my time as Australian Public Service Commissioner, I have observed the increasingly important role of the Secretaries Board and the central agencies, including the Commission, in stewarding the APS. The Government’s response to the unfolding COVID-19 crisis launched us into the future, with the Commission playing a key role in accelerating realisation of technological and workforce management outcomes for the whole APS, as outlined in the Government’s reform agenda Delivering for Australians. In 2021–22, we will build on this momentum, and continue our evolution towards an organisation that is an exemplar of reform.
As the focus of our work continues to expand, we will support our people to develop new skills and provide them with the tools they need to deliver crucial initiatives that support the success of the APS. In 2021–22, we will embed our agency Workforce Strategy, and deliver enhanced evaluation and data analytics capabilities and infrastructure, supporting our ability to implement, measure and adapt APS Reform initiatives.
I am proud of the work that we do at the Commission, and of the committed and service-oriented people who support the Commission to fulfil its purpose. The Commission’s continued focus on the strategic priorities outlined in this plan will ensure that we remain a valued and credible partner that will support the APS in rising to the challenges of the future.
Peter Woolcott AO
Australian Public Service Commissioner
30 August 2021
‘Our ongoing investment in the capability of our workforce will ensure the APS remains equipped and ready to support the Government and the public.’
Purpose
Our purpose is to position the Australian Public Service (APS) workforce for the future to ensure it meets the demands and expectations of the Australian Government and people.
Approach
We work collaboratively as a valued and trusted partner to the APS; one that provides sound stewardship and advice, and is regarded as an exemplar of reform.
Functions
The Australian Public Service Commission is a non-corporate Commonwealth entity within the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio that supports the statutory officer holder, the Australian Public Service Commissioner. The Commissioner’s statutory functions are detailed in the Public Service Act 1999 and include:
- strengthening the professionalism of the APS
- driving continuous improvement in workforce management
- promoting high standards of accountability, effectiveness, performance, integrity and conduct in the APS
- fostering and contributing to leadership, high quality learning and development, and career management in the APS
- fostering an APS workforce that reflects the diversity of the Australian population
- providing advice and assistance to agencies on public service matters
- partnering with agency heads in stewardship of the APS
- working with other governments, domestic and foreign, on matters relating to public sector workforce management, leadership and career management.
We also support statutory office holders, the Parliamentary Service Commissioner and the Merit Protection Commissioner, as well as providing policy and secretariat support to the Remuneration Tribunal and the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal.
We will adapt to & drive changes in our environment to ensure we remain poised to support the APS to meet the demands & expectations of the Australian Government & people