Ministers’ foreword
Since the lifting of the Marriage Bar in 1966, there has been a major shift in gender equality in the Australian Public Service (APS). We have introduced a lot of ‘firsts’ with regard to legislation, policy and representation in the workforce. Each subsequent generation has benefited. We need to celebrate this and recognise what is working well!
Research has already told us there is a compelling business case for gender equality and the Government has expressed a strong commitment to progressing this in Australia. If we want to remain at the forefront on gender equality, we need to maintain this momentum. All workplaces have a role to play, but we believe the APS should be an exemplar.
The Realising the benefits for all—APS Gender Equality Strategy 2021–26 (the Strategy) is an essential part of the Australian Government’s commitment to gender equality.
This Strategy sets out an ambitious change in the culture and mindset of the APS—while the APS has made significant progress, the lived experience is telling us that barriers remain. To maintain momentum and sustain the gains we have achieved, the APS must broaden its approach to gender equality to ensure the benefits are shared by all into the future.
The Strategy aligns with the 2021-22 Women’s Budget Statement, which outlines the Government’s continued support for, and commitment to, women’s safety, women’s economic security, and women’s health and wellbeing. The Government is focused on ensuring Australia is a place where women are able to make choices that are right for them. As the Women’s Budget Statement says, this includes an Australia:
- free from violence against women and children
- where women’s workforce participation continues to grow and gender pay gaps continue to narrow
- that supports women’s leadership aspirations
- where families have greater choice and flexibility to manage work and care
- that is inclusive of women with diverse lived experiences.
The Hon Ben Morton MP
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister and Cabinet Minister for the Public Service
Special Minister of State
Senator the Hon Marise Payne
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Minister for Women
Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Message
I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we work. I pay my respect to the Elders, past, present and emerging, acknowledging their history and continued connection to Country.
I am pleased to present the Realising the benefits for all—APS Gender Equality Strategy 2021–26 (the Strategy). Aligned with Delivering for Tomorrow—APS Workforce Strategy 2025, the Strategy sets out a continuing pathway to realising the benefits of a gender equal workplace.
Research over the last few decades has outlined the positive impacts of gender equality in workplaces.1 The refreshed Strategy moves beyond the business case. It pursues gender equality through a holistic lens to benefit our people, workplaces and service to Government and all Australians.
To keep up with expectations of Government, Parliament and the Australian public, we must continue to see people as our greatest asset. Attracting, building, valuing and retaining skills, expertise and talent will help the APS remain an employer of choice and a world-class public service.
The benefits are clear for gender equality; respectful and safer work environments, improved employee engagement and wellbeing, increased innovation and productivity.
Underpinned by a strong focus on inclusive leadership at all levels, the Strategy seeks to shift gender norms, normalise flexible and respectful workplaces and embed gender equality in all that we do.
The Strategy provides a shared vision for gender equality toward which everyone working in the APS can contribute. It sets out clear objectives and practical actions and seeks to build on the progress we have achieved over recent years. It asks us all to ensure our practices harness the benefits of a gender equal workforce.
Building a workplace where all colleagues can access and enjoy the same rewards, resources, support and opportunities is simply the right thing to do at every level. It fits with our values. It gets the best out of people, and it leads to a public service which performs at its best.
The Strategy has benefited from the close guidance of leading researchers and practitioners, including Kate Jenkins, Sex Discrimination Commissioner, for which we are very grateful.
I commend this Strategy to you all.
Peter Woolcott AO
Australian Public Service Commissioner
Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary’s Message
I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we work. I pay my respect to the Elders, past, present and emerging, acknowledging their history and continued connection to Country.
The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet has a leading role in providing fresh thinking and sound advice to government. In particular—through the Office for Women—we focus intently on policies and programs to advance gender equality across Australia.
I am pleased to endorse the APS Gender Equality Strategy 2021–26 as an important roadmap to advance gender equality in the APS.
The Strategy recognises that leaders at all levels have the greatest influence over an employee’s experience at work. In 2020, the Secretaries Board endorsed an approach to succession management that measures and monitors both the strength and diversity of our leadership pipelines. It will be important to continually review these activities to nurture strong and diverse leadership capability for the future.
Future leaders are now more than ever required to engage others to innovate, collaborate and create change. The APS leadership group plays such a critical role in making gender equality an organisational priority and transforming actions from words on a page to meaningful change.
The Strategy sets out methods of accountability so that we can track our progress and maintain our reputation as a world-class public service into the future.
I urge all agencies to take a purposeful approach to gender equality to build an APS that reflects, understands and connects with the people and community it serves.
Philip Gaetjens Secretary
Prime Minister and Cabinet