7.3 APS location strategy

COVID-19 saw a seismic shift in perceptions of where work can be done, disrupting the nature of workplaces across the world.

The APS is exploring options to locate staff closer to local communities, for not only better service design and delivery, but also to tap into emerging labour markets outside of Canberra to remain a world-class public service that reflects the community it serves. This approach will provide options for employees in choosing where they work from, and when, often allowing employees to be closer to home.

The APS Location Strategy is being developed as an initiative of the Future of Work Sub-committee. This strategy will set the scene for the APS to think more broadly about accessing talent pools, overcome the Canberra-centric nature of APS recruitment and address the disaggregated approach to the APS footprint.[57] It will tie to the APS Workforce Strategy 2025 to ensure the APS has the right people, in the right places, at the right times to meet existing and emerging workforce demands.

This may mean exploring closer partnerships with business and industry to share talent and grow the presence of the APS workforce in locations not traditionally explored by the service. The APSC is working with the Department of Finance to develop the strategy to align it with the Commonwealth Leasing Strategy and the Commonwealth Property Management Framework.

Key principles being tested to help guide strategy development and inform decisions that go to the location of the APS workforce:

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

The APS Location Strategy is expected to be publicly released in early 2023.