7.1 Future of work sub-committee of the Secretaries Board

Established in February 2022, the Future of Work Sub-committee of the Secretaries Board focuses on practical reforms that build on the Thodey Review[48] and the focus areas of the APS Workforce Strategy 2025. It provides advice to the Secretaries Board on opportunities to strengthen APS workforce and organisational capability.

The Government’s focus on driving a stronger and more capable APS has broadened the scope and raises the profile of the sub-committee to directly support key Government priorities. This includes rebuilding APS capability (APS Reform Plan priority 4) and positioning the APS as a model employer, including through reduced reliance on contractors and consultants (APS Reform Plan priority 3). (See Figure 7.5)

The Future of Work Sub-committee builds on existing efforts to develop APS capability, including the APS professional streams, APS Learning Board, the work program being delivered by the Chief Operating Officers Committee and other bodies. It is supported by a taskforce within the APSC, drawing on skills and expertise from across the service, including policy development, data and economic analysis, research, and secretariat support.

Initially established as a short-term mechanism, the Future of Work Sub-committee is now an enduring feature in the APS governance landscape.