Our Performance
Performance Framework
Our Performance Framework helps the APSC’s leadership and staff to understand the impact of their activities in delivering the Commission’s Purpose.
Our revised Purpose and Key Activities are directly connected to the Commissioner’s functions, as outlined in the Public Service Act 1999.
We have also revised our performance measures, which provide a basis for monitoring, assessing and reporting on our performance over the next four years. We have designed our performance measures to include a mix of quantitative and qualitative measures, and we are continuing to refine the methodologies that support the measurement of our performance.
Our performance measures rely on a variety of data sources, including information that is gathered through internal reporting mechanisms. We also seek to gain insights on our performance through the use of surveys and stakeholder feedback.
We will continue to look for opportunities to develop and mature our Performance Framework, and report annually on our performance. As part of this process, we will continue to enhance our measures and supporting targets to provide a clear reporting line between our Portfolio Budget Statements, Corporate Plan, and Annual Report.
Our Performance Framework, including our revised set of Key Activities and seven performance measures, is illustrated below.
APSC Purpose
We are stewards of the Australian Public Service as custodians of public service integrity, workforce management and capability.
Vision
A trusted and contemporary Australian Public Service that delivers for Government and for Australia.
Portfolio Budget Statement: Outcome 1
Increased awareness and adoption of best practice public administration by the public service through leadership, promotion, advice and professional development, drawing on research and evaluation.
Portfolio Budget Statement: Program 1.1
Australian Public Service Commission: This program contributes to the outcome through building capacity, driving productivity and performance, streamlining processes, and promoting integrity and accountability.
| Key Activities | Performance Measures |
|---|---|
| 1. Promote and uphold the high standards of integrity and conduct within the APS | 1.1 Contribute to a pro-integrity culture across the APS through performance of statutory functions and reform initiatives 1.2 Uphold high standards of conduct within the APS |
| 2. Lead and support the development of quality APS workforce management policy | 2.1 Right settings are in place to support an effective APS workforce 2.2 Enhanced First Nations representation and cultural capability across the APS |
| 3. Build APS Capability and leadership for the future | 3.1 Support APS leadership to develop their leadership capability 3.2 Contribute to an uplift in APS capability in the domains of APS Craft |
| 4. Foster an APS that engages and partners with people, communities and business | 4.1 APS is better enabled to engage and partner with people, communities and business |
Key elements of our Performance Framework
Our Planned Performance Results describes the results we are aiming for against each performance measure – both within the 2024–25 reporting period and over the life of the Corporate Plan.
Methodologies and data sources describe the data, information, evidence or performance information collected, analysed and reported, to demonstrate achievement against the planned performance results, performance measures, Key Activities, Purpose, Program and Outcome as captured in our Portfolio Budget Statements. In identifying appropriate methodologies to measure performance, we aim for a mix of qualitative, quantitative, output, effectiveness and efficiency measures. Where effectiveness or efficiency measures are unavailable, we aim to set appropriate proxy measures – that is, an indirect performance measure that is strongly correlated with effectiveness or efficiency. We have designed our measures in line with the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Rule 2014 and the Department of Finance’s Resource Management Guide No. 131 (‘Developing performance measures’) and No. 132 (‘Corporate plans for Commonwealth entities’).
Assessing and reporting our performance
The Commission is committed to producing reliable and verifiable performance reporting information. In the lead-up to each reporting cycle, we review our Performance Framework, consult widely across the Commission and introduce changes aimed at improving the way we measure and report on our performance. In 2024–25, we made significant changes in response to the findings of the APSC Capability Review. These changes include a revised Purpose, set of Key Activities and set of performance measures to demonstrate our changed environment and shared understanding of priorities. We have also sought to:
- strengthen planned performance results to provide a stronger basis for assessment over time
- provide a more appropriate mix of qualitative, quantitative, output, effectiveness and efficiency measures to better reflect our maturity and overall performance.
Over the reporting period, business areas will be responsible for tracking, monitoring and reporting their performance against their relevant key activities and measures. All measures will be reported on using a predetermined performance methodology, as outlined within each performance measure below and in its detailed Performance Audit Trail. Where a performance measure has more than one planned performance result, all planned performance results are weighted equally unless stated otherwise in their Performance Audit Trail. This will enable an overall result to be calculated for the performance measure.
Data integrity
We recognise that accurate reporting of our performance measures requires an ongoing focus on data integrity. To support data integrity, we have systems and controls in place to ensure the data, evidence and information we collect to support our performance results are reliable, verifiable and unbiased. Uplifting, supporting and maintaining data integrity will remain a critical focus area for our Performance Framework and the ongoing maturity of our performance measures.