The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) is a
statutory agency of the
Australian Government
The Australian Government, also known as the Commonwealth Government, is the national government of Australia, a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy. Like other Westminster-style systems of government, the Australian Government i ...
, within the
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, that acts to ensure the organisational and workforce capability to meet future needs and sustainability of the
Australian Public Service (APS), that comprises approximately people, or 0.8% of the Australian workforce.
The Commission was established pursuant to the ''
Public Service Act 1999
The Public Service Act 1999 () is an Australian law, passed in 1999 by the Howard Government that regulates the federal Australian Public Service.
The Act regulates the employment of federal public servants in Australia.
The Act establishes ob ...
'' and is led by the
Australian Public Service Commissioner, currently
Peter Woolcott , and the
Merit Protection Commissioner
The Australian Merit Protection Commissioner is an independent statutory office holder providing employment services to the Australian Public Service and the Parliamentary Service. The current Commissioner is Linda Waugh. The Commissioner is assis ...
, currently
Linda Waugh. Both Commissioners work closely with the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service, currently
Katy Gallagher
Katherine Ruth Gallagher (born 18 March 1970) is an Australian politician who has been serving as the Minister for Finance, Minister for Women, Minister for the Public Service and Vice-President of the Executive Council in the Albanese Gove ...
. APSC employs around 200 staff, with offices in
Canberra
Canberra ( )
is the capital city of Australia. Founded following the federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The ci ...
and
Sydney
Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...
.
The Commissioner reports annually to
Australian Parliament
The Parliament of Australia (officially the Federal Parliament, also called the Commonwealth Parliament) is the legislative branch of the government of Australia. It consists of three elements: the monarch (represented by the governor-g ...
on the state of the APS, including changes in the environment and infrastructure of the APS and emerging issues.
Functions
The vision of the Commission is to lead and shape a unified and high-performing Australian Public Service (APS). The Commission is responsible for providing advice to the Government on the APS; providing advice on strategic people management; supporting the implementation of Government policy; contributing to effective APS leadership and evaluating and reporting on the performance of the APS.
To this end, the Commission performs the following functions:
*evaluates the extent to which agencies incorporate and uphold the values of the APS
*evaluates the adequacy of systems and procedures in agencies for ensuring compliance with the APS Code of Conduct
*promotes the APS Values and Code of Conduct
*develops, promotes, reviews and evaluates APS employment policies and practices
*facilitates continuous improvement in people management throughout the APS
*coordinates and supports APS-wide training and career development
*contributes to and fosters leadership in the APS
*provides advice and assistance on public service matters to agencies on request
*provides independent external review of actions by the Merit Protection Commissioner.
The systems and special reviews are undertaken at the direction of the Prime Minister.
See also
*
Public Sector Management Program The Public Sector Management Program in Australia is a cooperative tertiary management learning approach used by the State and Territory Governments in cooperation with the Australian Federal Government.
The PSMP is a four-module management trainin ...
, an accredited standardised formal nation wide management training programme
References
External links
Australian Public Service CommissionAPSC Submission to the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit: Inquiry into the effects of the ongoing efficiency dividend on smaller public sector agencies
2008.
{{Authority control
National civil service commissions
Commonwealth Government agencies of Australia
Australian Public Service