Corporate plan 2023-27
Commissioner’s foreword
At its heart, the Australian Public Service Commission is about people. The people who work in the Australian Public Service around the nation – in policy, programs and service delivery – proudly demonstrating their spirit of service each day and the people of this nation who the APS serves.
The requirements of public servants are set out in the Public Service Act 1999 to serve the Australian Government, the Parliament and the public, and to uphold the APS Values by being committed to service, ethical, respectful, accountable and impartial.
The Commission sets the standards and expectations on integrity, behaviour and stewardship, making clear what it means to be a good public servant and a leader in the APS. The role of a public servant brings with it accountability. The Commission guides and positions the workforce for the future and uplifts the quality, capability and capacity of our workforce, to ensure it delivers the priorities of the Australian Government and people.
The year ahead will be one of transition and ambition as we partner across the APS to strengthen the public service through the Government’s APS Reform agenda, for an APS that embodies integrity in everything it does, puts people and business at the centre of policy and services, is a model employer and has the capability to do its job well.
We will empower and enable the APS and its people with clear responsibilities and accountabilities to be the best they can be in their workplace.
The Commission is focussed on strengthening its central role in the APS through genuine partnerships and collaboration across all levels of government and the community. We will strive to support and strengthen the APS institution and systems by drawing on the findings of the APSC Capability Review, APS Reform, the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme and the expectations of APS partners. While these reports and reviews shape and inform continuous improvement of the APS, there are important external drivers for change such as technology, the public’s changing expectations of service delivery, misinformation and climate change.
The 2023–27 Corporate Plan articulates the Commission’s first stage in a long-term roadmap to support and shape a strong, confident and trusted APS. We will continue to uplift our enterprise performance maturity to further demonstrate the positive impact our work has on the APS and wider community.
The Commission is committed to its purpose—to position the APS workforce for the future to ensure it meets the demands and expectations of the Australian Government and people.
I am proud of the commitment and spirit of service of the people in the APS and I am pleased to present the Commission’s 2023–27 Corporate Plan, in accordance with subsection 35(1)(b) of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013. This plan is prepared for the financial year 2023–24 and covers the subsequent financial years 2024–25 to 2026–27.
Dr Gordon de Brouwer
Australian Public Service Commissioner
August 2023