APS Data Capability Framework

As Head of the Data Profession, I am pleased to introduce the APS Data Capability Framework.

This is an essential building block to supporting the Data Profession’s work program. It establishes the language and structure we will use when defining data capabilities, as we continue to source, develop, and mobilise APS data expertise.

This is the first of several key products that together will provide the infrastructure to connect and integrate our initiatives.

This Framework is currently available as a beta version. Over the coming months it will be tested and used by agencies in a range of scenarios. This will help us refine the Framework to ensure it is a relevant and enduring product, for the Data Profession and the APS more widely.

Data proficiency is a critical enabler supporting the APS to deliver efficient, effective and responsive services to and for Australia.

This means all of us, whether we work in policy, regulatory, specialist or service delivery agencies, in data roles or not, have a responsibility to build and maintain the data capabilities required to perform our roles now, and into the future.

This Framework is a guide to better understanding the data capabilities related to a range of activities; from communicating with or about data, to performing exploratory data analysis. It is relevant to everyone in the APS who works with data in some way, from foundation through to advanced levels of expertise.

I would like to thank our colleagues in Stats NZ for providing a base upon which we could develop our Framework. I would also like to thank the people from our partner agencies who have contributed their expertise and perspectives to the Framework’s development.

I hope you find the APS Data Capability Framework useful and call upon you to work with us by adopting it into your agencies and contributing to its development and improvement.

Dr David Gruen
Australian Statistician
Head of the Data Profession

About the Framework

The APS Data Capability Framework outlines 26 data-specific capability areas associated with working with data in the APS. Each has capability indicators (covering skills, knowledge and behaviours) that span across three proficiency levels of foundation, intermediate and advanced.

It focuses solely on data capabilities, and is designed to complement rather than duplicate existing frameworks in use, such as the Integrated Leadership System, or agency specific people capability frameworks.

The Framework will be used to support a range of Data Profession initiatives, and can also be used as a guide by agencies, employees and managers as they build data capabilities, manage workforce requirements and develop careers.

You can find more information on ways the Framework can be used in the User Guide available in the downloads section.

What is next for the Framework

The Framework has been made available as a beta version to enable people and agencies to access it, use it and provide feedback on their experiences.

Hearing from Framework users and early adopters helps us better understand its impact. Any feedback also provides opportunities for improvement, and will inform Framework refinements before the final version is released in mid-2022.

We would love to hear about your experience using this Framework.

You can contact the APS Data Professional Stream team via email aps.dataprofessionalstream@abs.gov.au.