Corporate plan 2024-28
Commissioner’s Foreword
I am delighted to present the Australian Public Service Commission’s 2024-28 Corporate Plan, in accordance with subsection 35(1)(b) of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013. This plan is prepared in accordance with the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Rule 2014, for the financial year 2024-25 and covers the subsequent financial years 2025-26 through to 2027-28.
As Commissioner, my duty is to uphold the Public Service Act 1999 which establishes obligations on public servants to serve the Government, Parliament and Australian public. This requires promoting the APS Values of commitment to service, ethical conduct, respect, accountability, impartiality and stewardship, as well as the APS Employment Principles such as fairness, merit, effective performance of duties, safety, diversity, and freedom from discrimination and patronage.
The Commissioner’s functions relate to strengthening workforce management, upholding integrity and conduct, and supporting capability in the Australian Public Service. The Commission’s structure, activities and planning align to the Commissioner’s legislated duties and functions, and to Government policy and priorities.
This Plan outlines the Commission’s priorities, targets and measures for success over a four-year horizon, and is closely tied to the commitments articulated in the Commission’s Portfolio Budget Statements. Following on from the Capability Review of the Commission, this Plan articulates our purpose as stewards of the Australian Public Service.
In the coming year, the Commission will implement the Public Service Amendment Act 2024. We are working collaboratively across the Public Service to reinforce all values, including the new value of stewardship, to support a mindset of practical and ethical delivery for Government by public servants.
The Commission will continue to facilitate Capability Reviews of departments and large agencies, demonstrating the service’s commitment to build organisational capacity and accountability, and drive excellence and continuous improvement in the public sector.
We will continue to support public sector organisations embrace strategies and methods that build internal capability for core work, build flexibility and productivity in work practices, and further develop partnership and openness with the community.
And we will continue to ensure that the Public Service reflects the diversity of the Australian population at all levels of seniority, particularly through strengthening employment of First Nations peoples, people with a culturally and linguistically diverse background, and people with disability.
Through this Plan the Commission articulates its intention to shape a strong, confident and trusted Public Service. Through our advice and functions, we seek to enable public servants to exercise their responsibilities effectively and support a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and excellence. We intend to show that these efforts better support Government and the broader community.
Dr Gordon de Brouwer
Australian Public Service Commissioner
16 August 2024