Partnerships and engagement
The Australian Public Service is working towards genuine partnerships with the community, to co-design the best solutions for improving the lives of Australians. This will position the APS to deliver high-quality advice and services that respond to changing needs and expectations.
First Nations Partnership Playbook
The Australian Public Service Commission released the First Nations Partnership Playbook in June 2025. It provides guidance on building strong, enduring partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations.
Partnering with First Nations peoples is at the heart of priority reforms in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
The playbook emphasises the importance of building trust, shifting from transactional approaches to more relational ways of working. It will help embed structures that empower First Nations peoples to share decision-making authority with the Australian Government.
It is being used to develop partnership agreements, assess government programs and inform service design. Work is underway to identify and address barriers to building strong, enduring partnerships.
Business immersion program
The APSC has partnered with the Business Council of Australia on a business immersion program. This offers public servants first-hand insights into what businesses need to thrive. Cochlear hosted the inaugural event at its global headquarters at Macquarie University on 14 May 2025.
Participants, including 16 staff from across the APS, discussed common cross-cutting issues related to research and development. They discussed advanced manufacturing, productivity and growth, and ensuring government policy is informed by direct experiences.
Programs like these build a deeper understanding of Australia’s economic strengths, and support market conditions that enable businesses to succeed.
Putting people and business at the centre of policy and services is part of the APS Reform agenda, which is a commitment by the Australian Government to building a stronger public service that delivers better outcomes for the community.
See also in this report
APS workplaces – Collaboration Circle
APS workplaces – APS Reform agenda
Find out more
Australian Public Service Commission (2025) Working in genuine partnership with First Nations people, APSC website, accessed 15 July 2025.
Australian Government (2025) Outcomes and emerging impacts from the first 2 years of the APS Reform Agenda, APS Reform website, accessed 15 July 2025.