Partnerships and engagement

The Charter of Partnerships and Engagement was agreed by Secretaries Board and published by the Australian Public Service Commission in December 2023.

The charter sets out 6 aspirational principles for the Australian Public Service to prioritise to achieve quality engagement and partnerships with external stakeholders. It aims to improve the way the APS puts people and business at the centre of policy, implementation and delivery.

High-quality relationships with stakeholders will promote a more open public service, strengthen public trust in the Australian Government and achieve better outcomes for the Australian public.

The Charter of Partnerships and Engagement supports agencies to build their capability to genuinely partner and engage to develop more fit-for-purpose policies and service. This includes partnering and engaging with people and communities, non-government sectors, academia and industries.

Listening to a range of perspectives and experience gives the APS a better understanding of the impact of its policies and programs. This is key to developing approaches and services that better reflect the needs and aspirations of Australians. It ensures that APS works in genuine partnership with the community to solve problems and co-design solutions to improve lives in Australian communities.

To support the charter, the APSC has developed good practice guidance to support staff engaging and partnering. It has also developed an APS Agency Engagement Maturity Assessment tool, to support agencies to build the required mindsets and capabilities.

Other initiatives that support the Charter of Partnerships and Engagement include:

  • developing an approach to better integrate business perspectives into the working of government
  • strengthening partnerships with the Australian research system
  • piloting a market stewardship approach that provides a practical demonstration of stewardship in action by encouraging long-term, purposeful, proactive and strategic engagement and collaboration with stakeholders
  • defining the role of government when partnering and engaging with First Nations communities
    • including identifying barriers that inhibit shared decision-making and ways to establish the trust and relationships required to work in genuine partnership.

The APS Academy is developing offerings related to uplifting APS capability in undertaking place-based partnerships.

The charter is one way the APS is working to instil public trust and transparency in government institutions and processes, and embed integrity in public service culture and behaviour.

Find out more

Australian Government (2023) The Charter of Partnerships and Engagement, Australian Public Service Reform website, accessed 29 July 2024.

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