Darryl Rae

APS Graduate Development Program ‘Stewardship is the careful management of our services and how we deliver them to the Australian people. It should be at the fundamental core of everything that we do as proud public sector professionals. It is important as it outlines our integrity and holds us accountable for our actions.’

Joining the Australian Public Service

Why did you decide to join the APS and at what stage of your career journey were you?

I rejoined the APS as a mature graduate in 2023, having left my previous role in government to return home to Queensland in 2018 for cultural reasons.  During that time, I worked on a contract basis with the Queensland Government in Premier and Cabinet while completing a double master’s degree and a graduate certificate.

I met several APS employees during my university studies who influenced my decision to rejoin the APS. As a mature graduate, I also wanted the opportunity to combine the knowledge and skills I had obtained previously in my career with the new skills I was learning and apply them in new challenges serving the Australian community.

Describe your first APS role.

I first joined the APS working as an Advisor at Prime Minister and Cabinet. During my time there, I undertook several roles within the Indigenous Affairs Group. I worked across community engagement and the development of policies and programs to improve quality-of-life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

My in-depth knowledge around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander epistemologies, cultures and practices was fundamental in successfully developing and implementing these policies and programs. I also established and maintained effective working relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities, which at the time was an area within the APS that needed a lot of work and care.

Stewardship

What does stewardship mean to you, and why do you feel it’s important?

To me, stewardship is the careful management of public services and how we deliver them to the Australian people. This includes the way we act and how we present ourselves professionally and, in turn, how this impacts on the way the Australian people perceive us in the work we do to deliver quality outcomes.

I feel stewardship is important as it outlines our integrity and holds us, as public servants, accountable for our actions. This is reflected in our APS Values and Code of Conduct. These should be at the fundamental core of everything we do as proud public sector professionals.

I find applying these principles of stewardship in my daily duties helps me deliver better outcomes for both internal and external clients.

Was there a defining moment or person who influenced your thinking on this?

During the APS Graduate Program, I was asked to represent my agency in an advisory committee run by the APS Commissioner Dr Gordon de Brouwer.

I felt the Commissioner heard the collective voice of committee participants, and this cemented my already strong belief that we in the public sector can make real change and achieve excellence in everything that we do.

What professional experiences or achievements are you most proud of?

Being awarded the National Emergency Medal in 2014 for assisting people who were impacted by natural disasters.

What is a legacy you hope to leave in your current role and when you finish your career in the APS?

I hope to leave an in-depth understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and how this knowledge can be incorporated into the work that my department and the broader APS deliver to positively impact the Australian community in the future.

 What professional advice would you give your younger self?

That learning is an ongoing journey and one that is never finished.

APS Academy program participation

Which program have you participated in, and why did you apply?

Working in the Queensland Government and with Premier and Cabinet provided me with great community and industry connections. However, after working on a contract basis while completing my studies, I was looking to move into a permanent position and decided to apply for the APS Graduate Program.

I started the program in 2023, working at the Australian Digital Health Agency, and then moved Veterans’ Affairs in early 2024.

Describe your program experience and how it has contributed to your current role.

The APS Graduate Program prepares participants for a successful career in the APS. It provides the foundational skills and knowledge required, along with support to further build on the learnings and experiences provided throughout the program.

It’s also a great opportunity to develop meaningful connections with others in the program cohort. This can enhance and help you grow in your APS career. I continue to connect with other participants regularly, which gives me an understanding of the work being carried out service-wide, particularly around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues.

I was surprised to connect with several other mature graduates in the APS Graduate Program. Like myself, these people bring with them different lived experiences and skills, as well as a large professional network.

Mature graduates also contribute to the diversity of the APS and the program. Sharing their unique perspectives and experiences is an attribute that is widely valued across the public sector.