Find and use APS expertise

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This is part of the APS Strategic Commissioning Framework resources toolkit.

Core APS work must be done by the APS. When there is a vacancy, business need or capability gap, consider how the work can be performed by APS employees. Workforce planning, along with staff development and retention initiatives, support successful employment.

Recruitment

Recruiting ongoing staff is the preferred and usual basis of engagement in the APS (as per section 10A of the Public Service Act 1999).

Where agencies need a temporary boost in their workforce, non-ongoing APS employment is appropriate. Non-ongoing, casuals and temporary mobility arrangements should be prioritised over labour hire or contractors.

When recruiting non-ongoing staff be mindful of requirements under the Secure Jobs Better Pay Act in relation to fixed term contracts. Please see:

These resources may be useful when recruiting employees for APS roles.

Additional ways you can utilise APS and other Commonwealth staff

When looking for APS employees on a non-ongoing basis for in-demand roles, particularly when APS recruitment has not worked and/or the labour market is constrained, you may consider using recruitment or executive search agencies

The below links outline expectations of workplace behaviour standards for non-APS staff engaged to provide services to and on behalf of the APS. They can assist managers, employers and HR practitioners

Development

The APS needs the capability to do its job well, now and into the future. Investing in the development of your staff is key, so they are equipped to deliver agency priorities, provide the highest quality support, and act with integrity.

These APS Academy has a range of resources that may be useful, as you grow and develop the capability of your existing workforce. This website will provide links to induction, courses, professions, structured leaning and craft.

These links provide information for managing for high performance, capability strengthening and decision-making at the lowest appropriate level

The Cultural Capability Hub (Hub) is a central repository of practical guidance and suggested resources to support staff uplift their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural capability

Supporting opportunities for staff to develop expertise (see section above on Mobility Information)

Integrity is key in maintaining trust in the work of the APS as well as the quality of that work. Connect with others in the APS driving this work, via the contacts and networks below.

  • Cross-Agency Code of Conduct Forum – a community of agency EL2 Conduct/Employee Relations practitioners to share knowledge, insights and resources in the management of APS employees. Inquiries to ethics@apsc.gov.au
  • Ethics Contact Officer Network (ECOnet) – ECOnet is available for APS 6 – EL 2 officers, more than one officer per agency is also welcome. Inquiries to ethics@apsc.gov.au. The purpose of ECOnet is to:
    • encourage small agencies to field Ethics Contact Officers where possible
    • enable a depth of ethics expertise within larger agencies
    • build a broad, mutually supportive network across the Service

Using APS networks

There is extraordinary expertise across the APS. Before looking externally, connect with teams and agencies that have the capabilities and experience you need. Consider:

  • asking for advice to scope your project
  • exploring staff mobility – borrowing an APS expert to work on your project, or embedding one of your staff in an expert team as a development opportunity
  • seeking an expert for your recruitment panel
  • partnering with another agency to deliver your work.

Don’t forget that former public servants with relevant expertise can be a valuable source of capability, where re-engagement is appropriate.

Agencies can access and build expertise by leveraging capability across the service. It can include accessing APS networks for advice, resources and/or expertise such as

  • the Australian Government Consulting Specialist network
  • APS professions, centres of excellence, communities of practice
  • expertise in non-APS agencies such Corporate Commonwealth Entities.

These resources and networks may be useful as you seek out relevant APS expertise.

Australian Government Consulting provides an APS in-house consulting function, that can support APS agencies in a number of ways. Get in touch via australiangovernmentconsulting@agc.gov.au for the following service offers:

  • AGC partners with agencies across the APS to deliver strategic consulting services for the APS, by the APS.
  • AGC offers standalone workshops that focus on stakeholder engagement, creative problem solving, strategy, planning and collaborative design.
  • AGC has developed a draft self-service playbook for agencies to maximise outcomes and value for money when engaging external consultants.
  • AGC is developing a Specialist Network of existing APS specialist services and may be able to connect client agencies with relevant specialist expertise to support their needs.

Communities of practice can offer members the opportunity to network, collaborate and develop capability

The Behavioural Economics BETA unit can conduct research, design and test policy solutions and uplift capability

Cross-agency employee and champions networks can be great places to seek support and share best practice. Examples include:

  • Indigenous SES Network (ISN) – SES who identify as Indigenous. Secretariat: isn@apsc.gov.au
  • Indigenous Champions Network (ICN) – SES level Champions. Secretariat: NIAASecretariatandCoordination@niaa.gov.au
  • Indigenous Cross Agency Network (ICAN) – A forum for Chairs and key representatives of an agency's Indigenous Employee Network. Inquiries to: ATSINCommittee@niaa.gov.au
  • SES Disability Network (SDN) – SES who identify as a person with disability. Secretariat: diversity@apsc.gov.au
  • Disability Champions Network (DCN) – SES level Champions. Secretariat: diversity@apsc.gov.au
  • Cross Agency Gender Equity Network (CAGEN) – Representatives from agency gender equity networks. Secretariat: cagen@accc.gov.au
  • Agency-specific employee networks
  • For APS Diversity and Inclusion Discussion Forum see Communities of Practice below

Discipline-specific networks can be a valuable way to access APS expertise

To get further information about partnership opportunities see these links

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