What we do

We are a small policy agency within the portfolio of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Our purpose is to position the Australian Public Service workforce for the future to ensure it meets the demands and expectations of the Australian Government and people. We aim to continuously improve people management, manager capability and professional development across the APS. Our statutory responsibilities and commitment to change provides the opportunity to work on exciting and engaging projects and programs whilst supporting our internal priorities.

Strategic priorities

In line with our statutory responsibilities we promote four key priorities within our corporate plan for 2021-2022. These priorities enable us to position the APS workforce for the future and are aimed at creating a more flexible and agile workforce. Whilst these priorities are externally facing and drive the delivery of our work, we embed these priorities internally.

Our priorities

Support quality public service workforce management

High-quality workforce management is critical to fostering an effective and future-ready public service. We will support quality public service workforce management through the implementation of Delivering for Tomorrow: APS Workforce Strategy 2025. Under the Strategy, we will support the APS to build the capabilities and establish the systems that will enable the APS to recruit, develop and retain a diverse and inclusive, flexible and responsive, high-performing workforce.

Build leadership for the future

Empowered and accountable leaders are critical to a professional and effective public service. We will work with Agency Heads to shape an APS leadership workforce that is future ready. We will build leadership for the future by managing SES succession planning, career pathways, diversity, mobility, talent identification and recruitment. We will remain clearly focused on developing leadership that reflects the diversity of the Australian community.

Lift public service capability

A systematic, service-wide approach to lifting the capability of our people will improve the overall performance of the APS, today and into the future. We will ignite a culture of learning and enable APS people, teams and organisations to excel as part of a high performing, skilled and connected enterprise.

Foster trust in public service integrity

Creating and maintaining a strong culture of integrity is crucial to public confidence and trust in the APS. The APS Values, Code of Conduct and Employment Principles reflect an established framework for institutional integrity. We will provide the best possible advice to APS agencies and employees on applying this framework, and continue to model and promote a high standard of integrity. We will support the public, Australian Government, and our domestic and international partners to have trust in public service integrity by providing a compelling and transparent picture of the APS through information-sharing initiatives.