Welcome to Public Calling - APS Indigenous careers

The Australian Government is committed to increasing the representation of Indigenous Australians in the Australian Public Service (APS) workforce, both in mainstream and Indigenous areas. The cultural diversity and different perspectives that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees bring to their workplaces are greatly valued in the APS.

The Australian Public Service Commission supports the recruitment, development and career progression of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the APS by implementing Public Calling – The APS Indigenous Employment Strategy.

From this page you can find out information on gaining employment, or if you already work in the APS, the support that is available to you to manage and develop your career as a Commonwealth Public Servant.

Public calling bulletin
The Public Calling Bulletin will bring to you stories as well as news about the work being done by agencies to support Indigenous careers in the APS.

2009 Census Report: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander APS Employees
Since August 2005, the APS Employment and Capability Strategy for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Employees has contributed to the stabilisation of Indigenous employment levels in the APS, as well as to the Australian Government’s wider agenda of improving employment and equity outcomes for Indigenous Australians.

As part of the research component under the Strategy, the Commission conducted the first comprehensive survey of Indigenous APS employees in 2005. The results provided valuable insights into the views of Indigenous employees on the nature of their employment in the APS and helped shape the work under the Strategy.

Since then the Commission has conducted a second census of Indigenous APS employees to ask them again about their experience as employees in the APS, and about what is and is not working well for them. It also aimed to determine if current initiatives for the employment, development and retention of Indigenous staff were meeting their needs.

APS Employment and Capability Strategy for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Employees
Since August 2005, the APS Employment and Capability Strategy for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Employees (the Strategy) has contributed to the stabilisation of Indigenous employment levels in the APS, as well as to the Government’s wider agenda of employment and equity outcomes for Indigenous Australians. In the 2009 Budget, the Australian Government committed to funding the strategy for another three years to June 2012.

The Commission has now reviewed and revised the Strategy in the context of the Council of Australian Governments’ (COAG’s) National Partnership Agreement on Indigenous Economic Participation to ensure that it continues to:

• meet the expectations of the Government’s ‘closing the gap’ agenda
• respond to the needs of Indigenous APS employees and their managers, as well as APS agencies’ business objectives.

Getting a job in the Australian Public Service
The Government is looking for more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to work in the APS. As an Indigenous Australian you’re encouraged to apply for a job with the APS. Getting a job in the Australian Public Service - a guide for applying for jobs is here to help you understand what is required.
More than a job—Indigenous careers in the Australian Public Service tells the stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees and graduates who have chosen to make a career in the Australian Public Service. In their own words they talk about why they chose to work in the APS, what they have learned, gained and contributed so far, and their goals for the future.

Building an Indigenous employment strategy kit
The Commission has released an Indigenous Employment Strategy kit to assist agencies in building their own Indigenous employment strategy.
The kit is available online along with a list of resources and Menu of actions.