APS Location Framework

In 2024, 88% of APS agencies have reported critical skills shortages. The top 5 areas of skills shortages for agencies are:

  • Digital and information communications technology (81%)
  • Data (80%)
  • Portfolio, program or project management (39%)
  • People management and leadership (37%)
  • Legal (36%). 

Employing staff in a broader range of locations is one way agencies are addressing critical skill gaps. The APS Location Framework was developed to help agencies navigate this opportunity.

The framework was released in October 2024. It encourages agencies to set an intentional posture on workforce location. It assists agencies in using workforce location as a tool to attract and retain the skills they need and supports good practices for agencies managing a distributed workforce.

The framework has 5 guiding principles:

  • attract skills by accessing national talent
  • consider proximity to stakeholders and partners
  • leverage existing property footprint, foster collaboration and APS culture
  • support flexible work wherever reasonable
  • ensure workplaces strengthen diversity and inclusion.

The framework does not set target levels of dispersion or identify particular locations where agencies should be based. It provides agencies with useful guidance to inform their decisions on workforce location.

The APS Location Framework complements the APS Principles of Flexible Work and the flexible work common clause in APS enterprise agreements.

In many instances, the Commonwealth property footprint can be leveraged to help agencies employ staff in a broader range of locations. Tools such as the Property Marketplace, run by Finance, enable agencies to identify existing office space that meets their needs and consider sharing space with other agencies, where appropriate. This minimises surplus office space in line with the requirements of the Commonwealth Property Management Framework.

See also in this report

APS Profile – Workforce size and distribution

Working in the APS – Flexible and productive work

Appendix 1–APS workforce trends

Appendix 6–APS workforce planning

Find out more

Australian Government (2024) APS Location Framework, Australian Public Service Commission website, accessed 17 October 2024.

Australian Government (n.d.) Principles of Flexible Work in the APS, Australian Public Service Commission website, accessed 12 September 2024.

Australian Government (n.d.) Commonwealth Property Management Framework (RMG 500), Finance website, accessed 12 September 2024.

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