The Australian Public Service (APS) is committed to reflecting the diversity of the Australian community. The Commission developed As One – APS Disability Employment Strategy to make this a reality. As One aims to strengthen the APS as a disability-confident employer, and improve the experience of people with disability in APS employment.

Legislative framework for disability employment

Under the existing legal framework the APS is committed to maintaining a workplace that promotes inclusion and equity, including:

• upholding the Australian Public Service Values, which are set out in section 10(1) of the Public Service Act 1999, for example the requirement to
• 1. eliminate employment related disadvantage on the basis of disability (subsection 10(1)); and
  2. provide a reasonable opportunity for all eligible members of the community to apply for employment (paragraph 10 (1)(m)).
• meeting its obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and Fair Work Act 2009, including pursuing policies that are designed to promote equality of opportunity in employment.

Special measures provisions are also available under the Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 1999 :

• Clauses 4.2 and 4.3 assist people with intellectual disability to gain APS employment.
• Clause 4.3A allows an agency head to put in place measures to enable the employment of a person with disability where a disability employment service provider has assessed that person as being unable to compete on merit due to his or her disability

The ‘As One APS Disability employment strategy’

As One aims to change the way we think about disability and set us in motion towards an inclusive workforce where everybody can perform at their best. To get there every agency, leader and employee will need to work together to build a culture that is inclusive of people with disability. As One describes out our approach and plan of action to do just that.

As One was launched on 14 May 2012 by Special Minister of State and Special Minister of State for Public Service and Integrity, the Hon Gary Gray AO MP.

Find out more about As One.

Read the As One disability employment strategy.

RecruitAbility

RecruitAbility is designed to facilitate the progression of applicants with disability to further assessment, such as interview, when they opt into the scheme and meet the minimum requirements for the position. The primary intent of the scheme is to better support the employment of people with disability and develop an APS workforce that it is more reflective of the community it serves.

Find out more about RecruitAbility.

The RecruitAbility jobs listing provides links to jobs that have been included as part of the RecruitAbility trial.

Find out more about Recruitability positions.

My Career, My APS

My Career, My APS is an online tool for people from diverse backgrounds, particularly those with disability, who are looking to start or enhance a career in the Australian Public Service. It is accessible to everyone and a log-in or password is not required.

Visit the My Career, My APS tool.