Identifying and developing leadership talent
Identifying and developing talent to build stronger and more diverse leadership is an area the Australian Public Service continues to invest in. This is required to support ethical delivery and tangible results for the Australian Government and Australian community.
The Secretaries Talent Council and Deputy Secretaries Talent Council, supported by the Australian Public Service Commission, have assessed almost 450 senior APS leaders to provide insights into their skills, experience and behaviours. Benchmarking indicates that the APS leader-led approach is at the cutting edge of public sector leadership practice domestically and internationally.
Broader approaches to leadership are now being rewarded in the APS. Participants in the assessments are increasingly self-aware, collaborative and inclusive leaders. This suggests that investment in leadership over recent years is having an impact on APS culture.
Building on the success of these programs, this work expanded in 2023–24 to focus on developing a stronger pipeline of First Nations leaders who can contribute their unique perspectives to improving APS policies and services. This aligns with the APS Reform priority of ensuring the APS reflects the community it serves.
Participants, speakers and coaches at the Bulabul leadership gathering in Sydney, 18 June 2024.
Image: Thorny Vision
Thirty-two Executive Level 2 participants from 17 agencies participated in Bulabul (Coming together in Wiradjuri language) to strengthen the pool of APS candidates for future SES100 First Nations recruitment rounds.
Nineteen Senior Executive Service (SES) joined Yawarra (Taking care of in Wiradjuri language) which will support new recruits from the SES100 rounds to build the foundations of long-term success as a senior leader. These programs represent a step change towards transforming the APS. They demonstrate the Australian Government’s commitment to increasing First Nations leadership representation.
Early feedback from participants on Bulabul and Yawarra has been positive. Participants have valued the culturally safe space to connect with like-minded leaders and develop the confident and authentic leadership style required to make a difference to the community through their current and future roles.