Lessons learned

An independent evaluation of the outgoing strategy found it had a positive impact on progressing gender equality across the APS. Most significantly, the strategy provided a flexible, APS-wide framework to enable agency-level conversations and targeted actions on shared areas of focus.

Informed by a comprehensive consultation process, the evaluation found that the outgoing strategy was a catalyst for:

• equality gains in APS leadership
• increased innovation in employment practices
• greater take up of flexible work
• improved maturity in monitoring and evaluation of progress.

These results reflect the efforts of APS colleagues at all levels to drive positive cultural change in their workplaces. However, the evaluation indicated that we cannot become complacent on gender equality. To maintain momentum and sustain the gains we have achieved, the APS must renew its energy as well as broaden its approach to gender equality to ensure the benefits are shared by all, both now and into the future. 

The evaluation identified the following essential elements that agencies need to adopt and continue in order to pursue gender equality in a meaningful and impactful way:

• visible and committed senior leadership on the issue of gender equality
•  corporate teams and employee networks as key infrastructure to ensure internal policies and initiatives to realise gender equality are fit for purpose and maximise employee engagement
•  gender equality is prioritised and seen as critical to driving high performance and a positive workplace culture.

The full evaluation report is available online on the APSC gender equality webpage.