Information on APS employment

Public Service Act 1999 and subordinate legislation

The role of the Senior Executive Services (SES) is to provide APS-wide strategic leadership of the highest quality that contributes to an effective and cohesive APS (Public Service Act 1999 section 35(2)).

Recruitment programs and initiatives available to agencies

Classifications have been developed to provide a consistent platform for classifying jobs. They accommodate the diversity of roles across the APS and are structured to clearly differentiate between the work expected (i.e. responsibilities and duties) at each classification level

Performance Management in the APS, is designed to support agencies to adopt performance management practices at all levels of their organisations that contribute to a high-performance APS culture. This includes both rewarding and recognising talent, and managing underperformance when required

Each year a large number of employees move into and within the APS.

A Machinery of Government (MoG) change occurs when the Government decides to change the way Commonwealth responsibilities are managed. It can involve the movement of functions, resources and people from one agency to another.

Resignation is not specifically dealt with under the Public Service Act 1999 (PS Act) or its subordinate legislation. As a result, the common law approach applies to the resignation from Commonwealth employment by all Australian Public Service (APS) employees.

The Public Service Amendment (2024 Measures No.2) Regulations 2024 amends the Australian Public Service Regulations 2023 (the Regulations) in relation to the review of promotion decisions within the Australian Public Service.

APS employees may work in a Minister’s or other parliamentarian’s office at any time in the course of their career, as part of a long-standing arrangement in the Commonwealth public sector. This guidance aims to clarify the conduct obligations of all APS employees in relation to the Public Service Act 1999 (PS Act).