ⓘ Welcome to the new APSC.gov.au. We're currently in beta and appreciate your patience. Send us your feedback

Australian Public Service Commissioner

Published
Last updated

Role of the Australian Public Service Commissioner

The Australian Public Service Commissioner takes a leading role in ensuring that the Australian Public Service has the organisational and workforce capability to meet future needs, working collectively with Secretaries in stewardship of the APS.

The Commissioner has both statutory functions (under the Public Service Act 1999) and policy responsibilities. 

The Commissioner's overarching functions, as set out in section 41 of the Public Service Act, are:

  1. to strengthen the professionalism of the APS and facilitate continuous improvement in workforce management in the APS;
  2. to uphold high standards of integrity and conduct in the APS;
  3. to monitor, review and report on APS capabilities within and between Agencies to promote high standards of accountability, effectiveness and performance.

The Commissioner's functions also include promoting the APS Values, Employment Principles, and Code of Conduct.

The Commissioner reports annually to Parliament on the state of the service, including changes in the environment and infrastructure of the APS and emerging issues.

The Commissioner also has a number of inquiry and review functions including:

  • inquiries into allegations of misconduct by agency heads, and, in certain circumstances, APS employees and former employees;
  • systems reviews into management and structural issues within an agency, or the relationship between agencies;
  • special reviews into any matter relating to an agency or the relationship between agencies.

The systems and special reviews are undertaken at the direction of the Prime Minister.

The full list of the Commissioner's functions is set out in the Public Service Act 1999.

Speeches by former Commissioners

APS Commissioner, Peter Woolcott AO - Valedictory Address
APS Commissioner, Peter Woolcott AO – Interview with Leigh Sales at the 2022 IPAA National Conference
APS Commissioner, Peter Woolcott AO - Keynote Address at the State of the Service Roadshow Launch
APS Commissioner, Peter Woolcott AO - Closing Remarks at the IPAA APS Leadership: Rising to the road ahead
APS Commissioner, Peter Woolcott AO – Closing Remarks at the 2021 IPAA Annual Address to the APS
APS Commissioner, Peter Woolcott AO – Opening Remarks at the APS Academy Launch
APS Commissioner, Peter Woolcott AO – Opening Remarks at the Government of the Day Exhibition at MoAD
APS Commissioner, Peter Woolcott AO – Speech at APS Graduate Development Program Orientation
APS Commissioner, Peter Woolcott AO – Vote of Thanks to the Former Prime Minister at IPAA
APS Commissioner, Peter Woolcott AO – Speech at the APS Wide Conference Sydney
APS Commissioner, Peter Woolcott AO – Opening Address at the DTA Digital Summit
APS Commissioner, Peter Woolcott AO – Opening Address at the HR Professional Stream Strategy Launch
APS Commissioner, Peter Woolcott AO – Vote of Thanks to Secretary’s IPAA address
APS Commissioner, Peter Woolcott AO – Speech at APS Wide Conference
APS Commissioner, Peter Woolcott AO – Speech at the 2020 APS Graduate Development Program Orientation
APS Commissioner, Peter Woolcott AO – Speech at the APS Digital Profession Stream and Strategy Launch
APS Commissioner, Peter Woolcott AO – Speech at the Australian Public Sector Innovation Show: Strategy and Innovation
APS Commissioner, Peter Woolcott AO – Speech at the Digital Summit 2020: Towards a More Digital APS
APS Commissioner, Peter Woolcott AO – Address to the 2021 APS Graduate Development Program Orientation
Was this page helpful?

Acknowledgement of Country

The APSC acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.