Communication

Effective communication is vital for a positive workplace. It fosters collaboration, networking and diverse thinking while improving outcomes. Effective communication can also prevent and buffer issues in the workplace.

The Australian Public Service Employee Census Communication Index measures communication at individual, group and agency levels. APS Employee Census questions that contribute to the Communication Index are:

• My supervisor communicates effectively.
• My SES manager communicates effectively.
• Internal communication within my agency is effective.

Figures AB 4 to AB 9 and tables AB 4 to AB 9 report on the index scores for agencies, by agency size, for APS respondents.

Figure AB 4: Communication Index, by agency size

Source: APS Employee Census

Table AB 4: Communication Index, by agency size

Source: APS Employee Census

Figure AB 5: Communication Index, for extra-large agencies (10,000+ employees)

Source: APS Employee Census
Note: The National Disability Insurance Agency was a large agency in 2024.

Table AB 5: Communication Index, for extra-large agencies (10,000+ employees)

Source: APS Employee Census
Note: The National Disability Insurance Agency was a large agency in 2024.

Figure AB 6: Communication Index, for large agencies (1,001 to 10,000 employees)

Source: APS Employee Census
Note: Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts is now Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts. Health and Aged Care is now Health, Disability and Ageing. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission was a medium agency in 2024.

Table AB 6: Communication Index, for large agencies (1,001 to 10,000 employees)

Source: APS Employee Census
Note: Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts is now Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts. Health and Aged Care is now Health, Disability and Ageing. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission was a medium agency in 2024.

Figure AB 7: Communication Index, for medium agencies (251 to 1,000 employees)

Source: APS Employee Census 
Note: The National Health and Medical Research Council, the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, and the National Museum of Australia were small agencies in 2024. The Administrative Review Tribunal was called the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in 2024.

Table AB 7: Communication Index, for medium agencies (251 to 1,000 employees)

Source: APS Employee Census 
Note: The National Health and Medical Research Council, the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, and the National Museum of Australia were small agencies in 2024. The Administrative Review Tribunal was called the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in 2024.

Figure AB 8: Communication Index, for small agencies (101 to 250 employees)

Source: APS Employee Census 
Note: The Net Zero Economy Authority was not an APS agency in 2024. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority was a medium agency in 2024. The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House were extra-small agencies in 2024.

Table AB 8: Communication Index, for small agencies (101 to 250 employees)

Source: APS Employee Census 
Note: The Net Zero Economy Authority was not an APS agency in 2024. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority was a medium agency in 2024. The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House were extra-small agencies in 2024.

Figure AB 9: Communication Index, for extra-small agencies (20 to 100 employees)

Source: APS Employee Census
Note: The Office of the Special Investigator was a small agency in 2024. The High Speed Rail Authority did not participate in the APS Employee Census in 2024. Screen Australia and the Australian Law Reform Commission did not have reportable results in 2024.

Table AB 9: Communication Index, for extra-small agencies (20 to 100 employees)

Source: APS Employee Census 
Note: The Office of the Special Investigator was a small agency in 2024. The High Speed Rail Authority did not participate in the APS Employee Census in 2024. Screen Australia and the Australian Law Reform Commission did not have reportable results in 2024.