Mark Sawade, Digital Profession
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‘Connecting with my peers across government is vital to building an understanding of issues facing the APS. This is particularly the case in ICT, where the opportunity to leverage common thinking, problem solving and solutions can lead to huge efficiency in our respective organisations.’ |
| Role | Chief Information Officer |
|---|---|
| Agency | Australian Taxation Office |
Joining the APS
Describe your entry into the APS
I joined the APS as an APS2 Vacation Student with the Australian Bureau of Statistics, while completing my university studies in Computer Science. I supported staff with digital tools and technologies to improve personal and workplace efficiency.
The role aligned with my studies, and was more appealing than stacking supermarket shelves! I stayed for the ability to work across a diverse range of technologies, lots of problem solving and new challenges, and great job opportunities.
Your professional career
Describe the meaning and importance of being a ‘professional’ in the APS
Professionals have a deep understanding of their profession, and all the requirements to undertake a role effectively. This extends beyond the subject matter, to understanding the value a role brings to an organisation, adapting your skills to a range of contexts and helping others understand your domain.
Professionals are key because they often focus on the pursuit of excellence in their respective domains. They apply their expertise in a way that shares knowledge and promotes broad adoption of approaches, resulting in overall improvement to how we apply skills in the workplace.
How did you become a ‘professional’ in your field?
There are a range of considerations for becoming a professional, from formal training and recognition of acquired skills, to joining a professional body or organisation, such as the Australian Computing Society.
A sometimes less obvious element is connection to, and recognition of peers. A professional’s network is arguably their most impactful attribute, providing a gateway to broader knowledge and expertise. Becoming a professional is certainly more than being an expert in a particular domain. It’s also seeing your role as part of a living, breathing ecosystem that focuses on continuously improving what we do.
How do you maintain the required qualifications and standards for being a professional in your field?
How you maintain professional requirements depends on context and role, from continuing education and training to remaining current with industry changes. This is particularly relevant for digital professionals who face increasing change. Sharing learnings, and applying them to our own work, is one of the most valuable elements of maintaining relevance as a professional in any discipline.
What do you value most about being a professional in your field?
I really value my connections to my professional network. Sharing ideas, experiences and approaches, across the public and private sectors, is a particularly rewarding aspect of being a digital professional.
Which professional experiences or achievements are you most proud of?
The things I am most proud of were undoubtedly the hardest. They are the achievements realised through skilled professionals working together, rather than any specific instance of individual success.
An absolute career highlight was leading the technology teams who designed, built and ran the IT underpinning the 2006 and 2011 Population Census Data Processing activities at the ABS. The combination of technical expertise, intense collaboration, sheer dedication, hard work and resilience of many resulted in a sense of pride and achievement that is hard to describe.
Another highlight was leading a team at the Department of Education to implement a fundamental evidence-based change in the way school funding is calculated for non-government schools. This required data experts, policy drafters, lawyers and administrative experts all coming together to achieve significant reform.
What professional advice would you give your younger self?
Be open to putting your hand up for whatever opportunities come your way, and don’t be afraid of being a little uncomfortable. This is when you know you are pushing yourself just the right amount!
Your involvement in the Digital Profession
How have you benefited from your involvement in the Digital Profession?
As a relatively new member of the Digital Profession, I look forward to giving back to the APS through initiatives and activities that support growing and strengthening our APS ICT skills.
Connecting with my peers across government is vital to building an understanding of issues facing the APS. This is particularly the case in ICT, where the opportunity to leverage common thinking, problem solving and solutions can lead to huge efficiency in our respective organisations.
Find out more
Australian Government (n.d.) Digital Profession, APS Professions website, accessed 7 July 2025.