APS Induction
APS Resources
APS Resources
This page displays information, resources, publications and contacts relevant to each module in the APS Induction programme.
To view agency specific resources click here.
Module resources
- Introduction to the APS
- What is unique about working in the APS?
- Our system of government
- Working with others
- Your career in the APS
- Your workplace rights and conditions
- Doing your job
General links
- Australian Public Service Commission - http://www.apsc.gov.au/
- Australian Government - http:// www.australia.gov.au/
- Commonwealth of Australia Law - http://www.comlaw.gov.au
Introduction to the APS
Learn more about the roles and responsibilities of the Australian Public Service:
Local Resources
Online Resources
- Australian Public Service Commission, Working with you: Services of the Australian Public Service Commission http://www.apsc.gov.au/about/workingwithyou.htm
- Australian Public Service Commission 2003, The Australian Experience of Public Sector Reform http://www.apsc.gov.au/about/exppsreform.htm
- Lynelle Briggs, ‘An appetite for service’, 2008, speech transcript
http://www.apsc.gov.au/media/briggs180408.htm - Longstaff, Simon, Ethical decision-making in the public sector: An overview, St James Ethics Centre http://www.ethics.org.au/about-ethics/ethics-centre-articles/ethics-subjects/professions-and-public-sector/article-0282.html#1
- Mulgan, Richard, 2006, Truth in government and the politicisation of public service advice , Australian National University Asia Pacific School of Economics and Government, Canberra http://www.crawford.anu.edu.au/degrees/pogo/discussion_papers/PDP06-02.pdf
- Discusses recent controversies have raised problems about the politicisation of official advice, particularly the supposedly factual or objective elements of advice.
- Bennett Scott and Webb Richard, Chronology of Australian federalism, Research and Information Service, Parliamentary Library http://www.aph.gov.au/Library/pubs/online/AustFederalism.htm
- This chronology traces the main points in the Australian federal system's story.
- Hunt J and Smith D, 2006, Building indigenous community governance in Australia: preliminary research findings: working paper 31/2006, Australian National University. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, Canberra http://www.anu.edu.au/caepr/Publications/WP/CAEPRWP31.pdf
- This preliminary research report is based on the first year of fieldwork conducted by the Indigenous Community Governance Project. The Project is exploring the nature of Indigenous community governance in diverse contexts and locations across Australia through a series of diverse case studies - to understand what works, what doesn't work, and why.
- Hunt, Janet, 2005, Capacity development in the international development context : implications for Indigenous Australia. Discussion paper no. 2005/278, Australian National University. Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, Canberra http://www.anu.edu.au/caepr/Publications/DP/2005_DP278.pdf
- This paper traces the interest in capacity development in the field of international development and explores themes which may be of interest for those seeking to build greater capacity in Indigenous Australia.
- Sanders, Will, 2006, Being a good senior manager in Indigenous community governance : working with public purpose and private benefit, Discussion paper no. 2006/280, Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research Australian National University, Canberra http://www.anu.edu.au/caepr/Publications/DP/2006_DP280.pdf
- This paper seeks to understand the role of being a senior manager in Indigenous community governance, particularly though not exclusively in remote Aboriginal communities.
- McMillan, John, 2007, 'Accountability of government' http://www.comb.gov.au/commonwealth/publish.nsf/Content/speeches_2007_02
- Text of keynote address by Prof. John McMillan at the AboveBoard Accountability Forum(1), at the Australian National University, Canberra, 12 May 2007,
Websites
- Information about the APS Values and Code of Conduct - http://www.apsc.gov.au/
- Information about porfolio departments - http:// www.australia.gov.au/
- Information about each agency - http:// www.gold.gov.au/
- Public Service Act 1999 - http://www.comlaw.gov.au/
What is unique about working in the APS?
Learn more about the values and work practices underpinning the Australian Public Service Commission:
Local Resources
Online Resources
- Australian Public Service Commission 2008, State of the Service Report 2007–08 http://www.apsc.gov.au/stateoftheservice/index.html
- An annual report by the Australian Public Service Commissioner on the state of the Australian Public Service
- APS Values and Code of Conduct in Practice - Public Service Commissioner's Directions:
http://scaleplus.law.gov.au/html/instruments/0/26/top.htm - Being Professional in the Australian Public Service - http://www.apsc.gov.au/values/kit.htm
- The Commonwealth Budget: process and presentation (updated January 2007), Parliamentary Library, Department of Parliamentary Services http://www.apo.org.au/
- Australian Public Service Commission 2003, Embedding the APS Values, Commonwealth of Australia http://www.apsc.gov.au/values/values.htm
- This guide is aimed at helping Agency Heads and senior executives to embed the APS Values in their organisations.
- Public Service Commissioner’s Directions - http://scaleplus.law.gov.au/html/instruments/0/26/top.htm
- Australian Public Service Commission 2005, Foundations of Governance in the Australian Public Service http://www.apsc.gov.au/foundations/index.html
- This publication provides an overview of legislative and related Government policy obligations of agency heads that apply in managing the agency.
- Australian Public Service Commission 2007, Implementing Machinery of Government Changes: a Good Practice Guide http://www.apsc.gov.au/publications07/machineryofgovernment.htm
- This document provides a source of practical guidance to help agencies implement machinery of government (MOG) changes.
- Australian National Audit Office 2003, Better Practice Guide: Public Sector governance and the individual officer http://www.anao.gov.au/director/publications/betterpracguides.cfm
- Edwards, Meredith, 2006, Corporate governance in the public sector : from theory to practice : comparative perspectives http://www.blis.canberra.edu.au/corpgov-aps/whatsnew/CONFERENCE_March2006/Conf2006_Papers_PPts/Edwards_Conf2006-Paper.pdf
- Presentation to the Corporate Governance in the Public Sector - from Theory to Practice conference, Canberra, March 2006
- Attorney-General's Department 2000, Commonwealth Protective Security Manual, Attorney-General's Department http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Page/Nationalsecurity_ProtectiveSecurityManual(PSM2005
- The principal means for disseminating Australian Government protective security policies, principles, standards and procedures, to be followed by all Australian Government agencies for the protection of official resources.
- Management Advisory Committee 2007, Reducing Red Tape in the Australian Public Service http://www.apsc.gov.au/mac/redtape.htm
- This report sets out a framework to help drive change in the APS’s thinking and approach to administrative process.
- Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Requirements for Departmental Annual Reports http://www.pmc.gov.au/guidelines/index.cfm
- Mulgan, R. G., 2005, Accountability in a contemporary public sector Policy and governance discussion paper; 05/17, Australian National University, Asia Pacific School of Economics and Government, Canberra http://www.crawford.anu.edu.au/degrees/pogo/discussion_papers/PDP05-17.pdf
- This paper discusses general trends which have significantly reshaped the accountability landscape over the last thirty years or so as well as the impact of the new financial reporting framework and that of outsourcing on the accountability of public services.
- The Commonwealth Budget: process and presentation , Parliamentary Library, Department of Parliamentary Services http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/rb/2006-07/07rb07.pdf
- Senate Estimates, Parliament of Australia - http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/estimates/index.htm
- Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 http://www.comlaw.gov.au/ComLaw/Management.nsf/current/bytitle/1CBAF6B84E84FA4DCA256F710007124E?OpenDocument&VIEW=compilations
- Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 http://www.comlaw.gov.au/comlaw/management.nsf/lookupindexpagesbyid/IP200401755?OpenDocument
Websites
- Public Service Act 1999 - http://www.comlaw.gov.au/
- Budget of the Commonwealth of Australia - www.budget.gov.au
- Management Advisory Committee - http://www.apsc.gov.au/mac
- The Management Advisory Committee (MAC) is a forum of Secretaries and Agency Heads that advises the Australian Government on matters relating to the management of the APS.
Our system of government
Learn more about our system of government and its relationship to the APS:
Online Resources
- Scheduled sittings of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Australia - www.aph.gov.au/house/info/sittings/index.htm
- Australia ’s system of government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade fact sheet http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/sys_gov.html
- The Australian system of government - http://www.aph.gov.au/house/info/infosheets/is20.pdf
- Senate Committees of the Parliament of Australia - http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/index.htm
- Supporting Ministers, Upholding the Values 2006, Australian Public Service Commission http://www.apsc.gov.au/publications06/supportingministers.htm
- Cabinet Implementation Unit (CIU), Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet http://www.pmc.gov.au/implementation/index.cfm
- The CIU promotes early and effective planning for policy delivery, and monitors whether or not decisions are being carried out on time, on budget and to Government expectation.
- Australian National Audit Office 2006, Implementation of Programme and Policy Initiatives - Making implementation matter http://www.anao.gov.au/uploads/documents/Implementation_of_Programme_and_Policy_Initiatives.pdf
Websites
- Websites for researching the Australian system of government - http://www.nla.gov.au/oz/gov/
- This website links to information and services on around 800 Australian Government websites as well as selected state and territory resources, and searches over five million government web pages - http://www.australia.gov.au
- Council of Australian Governments (COAG) - http://www.coag.gov.au/
- COAG is the peak intergovernmental forum in Australia, comprising the Prime Minister, State Premiers, Territory Chief Ministers and the President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA).
- Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet - http://www.pmc.gov.au
Publications
- R. Eccleston, P. Williams & R. Hollander 2006, Foundations of Australian Politics, Pearson Education Australia, Frenchs Forest, NSW .
- J. Moon & C. Sharman (eds) 2003, Australian Politics and Government: The Commonwealth, the States and the Territories, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
- H. Pattapan [et. al.] 2005, Westminster Legacies: Democracy and Responsible Government in Asia and the Pacific, University of New South Wales Press, Sydney.
- G. Singleton [et. al] 2006, Australian Political Institutions, 8th ed., Pearson Education Australia, Frenchs Forest, NSW.
- D. Summers [et. al.] 2002, Government, Politics, Power and Policy in Australia, 7th ed., Pearson Education Australia, Frenchs Forest, NSW.
Working with others
Learn more about the work practices of the APS:
Online Resources
- Connecting Government: Good Practice Guides (2004) - http://www.apsc.gov.au/connectedgovernment/
- Australian Public Service Commission 2006, Fostering an Attendance Culture: a Guide for APS Agencies, Commonwealth of Australia - http://www.apsc.gov.au/publications06/fosteringattendance.htm
- Australian Public Service Commission 2006, Respect: Promoting a Culture Free from Harassment and Bullying in the APS, Commonwealth of Australia - http://www.apsc.gov.au/ethics/respect.html
- Australian Public Service Commission 2006, Turned Up and Tuned In: A manager’s guide to maximising staff attendance, Commonwealth of Australia - http://www.apsc.gov.au/publications06/turneduptunedin.htm
- Management Advisory Committee 2004, Connecting Government: Whole of Government Responses to Australia’s Priority Challenges, Commonwealth of Australia - http://www.apsc.gov.au/mac/connectinggovernment.htm
- This report describes whole of government approaches for the APS, emphasising coordination and collaboration across departments and agencies.
- Management Advisory Committee 2006, Employment of people with disability in the APS - http://www.apsc.gov.au/mac/disability.htm
- This report provides a framework to increase employment of people with disability in the APS.
- Management Advisory Committee 2003, Organisational renewal, Canberra http://www.apsc.gov.au/mac/organisationrenewal.htm
- This report examines in detail the challenges of building organisational capability by APS agencies against the background of changing workforce trends.
- Management Advisory Committee 2005, Working Together: Principles and Practices to Guide the Australian Public Service http://www.apsc.gov.au/mac/workingguide.htm
- Guidance for APS employees from MAC about achieving effective outcomes from work carried out jointly by agencies.
Your career in the APS
Learn more about career opportunities in the APS:
Online Resources
- Australian Public Service Commission 2007, Cracking the code: A guide to help you apply for jobs in the Australian Public Service - http://www.apsc.gov.au
- Australian Public Service Commission 2003, Get it right: A recruitment kit for managers - http://www.apsc.gov.au/getitright/index.html
- Australian Public Service Commission 2006 , Getting a job in the Australian Public Service -
http://www.apsc.gov.au/indigenous/gettingajob.pdf - Australian Public Service Commission 2006, Not just a job -
http://www.apsc.gov.au/indigenous/notjustajob.pdf - Australian Public Service Commission 2005, Ongoing employment - Recruitment and related issues - http://www.apsc.gov.au/publications04/oebooklet.htm
- Australian Public Service Commission 2002, Our stories: Career profiles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People -http://www.apsc.gov.au/publications02/ourstory.htm
- Finance and Public Administration References Committee 2003, Recruitment and Training in the Australian Public Service, The Senate - http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/fapa_ctte/completed_inquiries/2002-04/aps_recruit_training/index.htm
- Australian National Audit Office 2004, Report no. 6/2004-05 Performance Management in the Australian Public Service - http://www.anao.gov.au/uploads/documents/2004-05_Audit_Report_6.pdf
- Australian Public Service Commission 2007, Handling misconduct: A good practice guide - http://www.apsc.gov.au/publications07/misconduct.htm
- Chartered Institute of personnel and development, 2004, Career management http://www.cipd.co.uk/subjects/lrnanddev/careermand/CrrmngmntGd.htm
- Looks at how to structure successful career management activities that support organisational objectives and meet employee needs.
- Chartered Institute of personnel and development, 2004, Coaching and buying coaching services http://www.cipd.co.uk/subjects/lrnanddev/coachmntor/coachbuyservs.htm
- Looks at the role an HR department can take in selecting and managing the coaching relationship within organisations.
- Chartered Institute of personnel and development, 2005, Career discussions at work: practical tools for HR, managers and employees
http://www.cipd.co.uk/subjects/lrnanddev/careermand/tools.htm?IsSrchRes=1- This tool is available to members and non-members. It provides HR, managers and employees with the necessary skills to have effective conversations to develop everyone's potential
- State Services Commission, 2003, Coaching: guidance for managers and their staff on using coaching for development and performance, Wellington New Zealand
http://www.ssc.govt.nz/display/document.asp?NavID=82&DocID=3333 - Demmke Christoph, 2006, Governmental, Organisational and Individual Performance: Performance Myths, Performance “Hype” and Real Performance, European Institute of Public Administration http://www.eipa.eu/files/repository/eipascope/Scop06_1_1.pdf
- This article discusses the state of affairs in the field of performance measurement as well as failures and successes in managing governmental, organisational and individual performance.
- Australian Public Service Commission 2002, Performance management - http://www.apsc.gov.au/employmentpolicy/performanceappraisal.htm
- Australian Public Service Commission 2006, Sharpening the focus: Managing performance in the APS - http://www.apsc.gov.au/publications06/sharpeningfocus.htm
- Australian Public Service Commission 2004, Termination of employment - http://www.apsc.gov.au/publications02/terminations.htm
- Australian Public Service Commission 2004, Integrated leadership system - http://www.apsc.gov.au/ils/index.html
- Department of Employment and Workplace Relations 2006, APS - Workplace Relations Policy Parameters for Agreement Making in the Australian Public Service (April 2006) http://www.workplace.gov.au/workplace/Organisation/Government/Federal/AgreementMaking/APS-SupportingGuidancefortheWorkplaceRelationsPolicyParametersforAgreementMakingintheAustralianPubli.htm
- Management Advisory Committee 2002, Performance Management in the Australian Public Service: A Strategic Framework http://www.apsc.gov.au/publications02/performancemanagement.htm
- Australian Public Service Commission leadership, learning and development programme and event information is available at: http://www.apsc.gov.au/learn
- Australian Public Service Commission 2006, Building Business Capability Through Workforce Planning http://www.apsc.gov.au/publications06/workforceplanning.htm
- Australian Public Service Commission 2003, Building capability: A framework for managing learning and development in the APS - http://www.apsc.gov.au/publications03/capability.htm
- Australian Public Service Commission 2005, Evaluating learning and development - a framework for judging success - http://www.apsc.gov.au/learn/evaluation.htm
- Australian Public Service Commission 2001, Human Resource Capability Model http://www.apsc.gov.au/publications01/hrmodel.htm
- Australian Public Service Commission 2005, Leadership capability development planning http://www.apsc.gov.au/ils/capabilitydevelopmentplan.pdf
- Australian Public Service Commission 2000, Senior Executive Leadership Capability Framework - http://www.apsc.gov.au/selc/index.html
- The SELC Framework establishes a shared understanding of the critical success factors for performance in APS leadership roles, based on five core criteria for high performance by senior executives.
Publications
- D.L. Kirkpatrick 1998, Evaluating Training Programs - The Four Levels, 2nd ed, Berret-Koehler Publishers, San Francisco.
Your workplace rights and conditions
Learn more about your workplace rights and conditions in the APS:
Local Resources
Online Resources
- Australian Public Service Commission 2003, Embedding the APS Values - http://www.apsc.gov.au/values/values.htm
- This guide is aimed at helping Agency Heads and senior executives to embed the APS Values in their organisations.
- Australian Public Service Commission 2006, Fostering an Attendance Culture: a Guide for APS Agencies http://www.apsc.gov.au/publications06/fosteringattendance.htm
- Australian Public Service Commission 2007, Handling misconduct: a good practice guide http://www.apsc.gov.au/publications07/misconduct.htm
- Australian Public Service Commission 2006, Respect: Promoting a Culture Free from Harassment and Bullying in the APS http://www.apsc.gov.au/ethics/respect.html
- WorkSafe Victoria, 2007, Stresswise : preventing work-related stress : a guide for employers in the public sector, Melbourne http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/resources/file/eb947300781530c/stresswise.pdf
- Lesnie, V, et al., Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, Sydney, 2005, Workability II: solutions. People with disability in the open workplace: final report of the National Inquiry into Employment and Disability, Australia http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/employment_inquiry/docs/Workability%20II%20-%20Solutions%202005.pdf
- This inquiry was established to address the low employment rate and earning potential for people with a disability
- Administrative Review Council, What Decisions Should be Subject to Merit Review? http://www.ag.gov.au/agd/WWW/arcHome.nsf/Page/Publications_Reports_Downloads_What_decisions_should_be_subject_to_merit_review
Websites
- Australian Government Solicitor - http://www.ags.gov.au
- Comcare - http://www.comcare.gov.au
Doing your job
Learn more about doing your job in the APS:
Local Resources
Online Resources
- Department of Finance and Administration 2004, Commonwealth procurement guidelines - January 2005 http://www.finance.gov.au/procurement/procurement_guidelines.html
- Australian Public Service Commission 2003, Embedding the APS Values, Commonwealth of Australia http://www.apsc.gov.au/values/values.htm
Websites
- National Archives of Australia- http://www.naa.gov.au
- Connected Government: agencies working together - http://www.apsc.gov.au/connectedgovernment/