Key activities

We achieve our purpose through our key activities:

Key Activity 1: Promote and uphold the high standards of integrity and conduct within the APS.

Integrity is at the heart of everything we do within the public service. As custodians of APS integrity and conduct, the Commission sets the standard on integrity and conduct within the APS so that all employees, regardless of their level, understand and behave with integrity and in a manner that is consistent with the standards of what it means to be a good public servant.

Our priorities are to:

• Promote, with agency partners, a pro-integrity culture across the APS.
• Evaluate the extent to which agencies incorporate and uphold APS Values, Code of Conduct and Employment Principles.
• Uphold the APS Values and Code of Conduct by inquiring into breaches and reviewing matters.
• Provide contemporary and authoritative policy and implementation advice to agencies on the APS Values, Code of Conduct and Employment Principles.

Key Activity 2: Lead and support the development of quality APS workforce management policy.

The Commission is a people business. As custodians of APS workforce management, we use our expertise to create effective workplaces and a quality experience for APS employees by staying abreast of shifts in the employment landscape, and developing and implementing policies and initiatives that position the APS as a desired employer.

Our priorities are to:

• Shape workforce management policies, including through advice to government and implementation of policies, that deliver remuneration and conditions that are modern, fit for purpose, and which attract and retain great talent to the public service.
• Contribute to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the Australian community to ensure we can do our job well, through inclusive and respectful workplace cultures and genuine opportunities to participate in the public service.
• Use our expertise to provide clear, authoritative workforce management guidance and implementation advice to agencies in line with the Public Service Act 1999 and other enabling legislation.

Key Activity 3: Build APS capability and leadership for the future.

A knowledgeable and skilled public service is essential in order to meet the challenges ahead and to maintain trust in government. As custodians of APS capability and leadership, and through the APS Academy we will continue to deliver targeted training, leadership programs and development initiatives to build the skills, expertise and adaptability of the public service workforce at all levels. We will provide clear entry pathways, a platform for the development of critical skills, and forecast and plan for the leadership capabilities that the APS needs for the future.

Our priorities are to:

• Bring capability and expertise into the APS by partnering with APS agencies to develop best practice workforce attraction, selection and retention solutions, including clear entry pathways for prospective employees.
• Build capability within the APS by identifying emerging capability requirements (e.g. APS Craft, cultural competency and literacy) and by supporting the development of APS staff through a networked model.
• Nurture and promote collective and inclusive leadership approaches that builds strong and diverse APS leaders, capable of harnessing the capability that exists throughout the APS.

Key Activity 4: Foster an APS that engages and partners with people, communities and business.

The Commission plays a key role in enabling and supporting the APS to continuously improve so that it can effectively deliver for the Government, Parliament, and the Australian people, now and into the future. As stewards of the APS, we recognise the increasing complexity within our broader operating environment and will contribute to building stronger public service institutions, domestically and internationally. We will foster an APS that is outward looking and which deploys strong relationship capability to solve complex systems problems in partnership with people, communities and business.

Our priorities are to:

• Ensure the APS is forward looking and future fit by building a culture of ongoing review, evaluation and improvement.
• Influence policy design and decisions through the collection and sharing of data, insights (e.g. trust) and trends regarding the APS workforce and the public, to tackle the most complex problems faced by the Parliament, Government and the public.
• Play a key role in building the ability of the APS to partner and engage with those we work with.
• Support the APS to deliver on priority reforms under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Contribute to building stronger public service institutions by exchanging experience and supporting capability uplift across the Pacific region, South East Asia, and through engagement with Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development member countries.