Understanding neurodiversity in the APS
The Australian Public Service is working to improve its awareness and understanding of neurodiversity and unlock the benefits of these diverse skills and capabilities.
The 2023 APS Employee Census included a question measuring neurodivergence. Results showed that 7.7% of respondents considered themselves to be neurodivergent. A further 11.5% indicated they were not sure. This is the first time that data of this type has been captured across the APS.
Census data indicated that people who consider themselves to be neurodivergent work across the APS at all classification levels and in all types of roles. They identified as being young and old, and male, female and non-binary. They also identified as coming from a range of cultural backgrounds.
APS agencies are implementing programs to attract and support employees who consider themselves neurodivergent. One of these programs is the Aurora Neurodiversity program at Services Australia. This program helps people with autism start their career in the APS in fields including information and communication technology, data analytics and other professional services.
The Neurodiverse Apollo program at the Department of Home Affairs provides another APS career pathway for neurodivergent people. The recruitment process is supportive and inclusive for neurodiverse candidates. Successful candidates have access to a structured program offering ongoing support and coaching to participants, supervisors and teams.
In late 2022, the APS-wide Public Sector Neurodiversity Community of Practice was established by neurodivergent employees from employee-led diversity networks. Their goal was to spark an ongoing conversation between agencies on the work being done to support and include neurodiversity in the APS. The Community of Practice provides a unique forum for people at all levels to discuss their experiences and share resources. It is an avenue for corporate areas to reach out with consultation opportunities.
In June 2023, 300 employees from over 35 agencies attended the Community of Practice’s second APS-wide event. Feedback from attendees was very positive, particularly on the willingness of neurodivergent senior leaders to share their stories.
A GovTEAMS community operated by the Community of Practice is open to all neurodivergent employees and allies. It facilitates the sharing of resources between employees, networks and agencies.
Co-founders Mr Andrew Pfeiffer and Ms Robin Edmonds received the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s (PM&C) Secretary’s Excellence Award for Inclusion in 2022, for their work establishing the Community of Practice and advocating for neurodiversity inclusion across the APS
Image (from left): PM&C Ability Champion Ms Lee Steel, co-founder Mr Andrew Pfeiffer, PM&C Secretary Glyn Davis, and co-founder Ms Robin Edmonds
See also
Appendix 2 – State of the service additional data, State of the Service Report 2022–23.
Australian Government Public Sector Neurodiversity Community of Practice, APSC website, https://www.apsc.gov.au/working-aps/diversity-and-inclusion/diversity-inclusion-news/public-sector-neurodiversity-community-practice, accessed 5 October 2023.
Australian Government (n.d.) Aurora Neurodiversity program, Services Australia website, https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/aurora-neurodiversity-program?context=1, accessed 5 October 2023.
Australian Government Neurodiverse Apollo program, Department of Home Affairs website, https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us/careers/neurodiverse-apollo-program/overview, accessed 5 October 2023.