Senior Executive Service (SES)

The Role of the SES

The responsibilities of the SES in the Australian Public Service (APS) are acknowledged in section 35 of the Public Service Act 1999. The function of the SES is to provide APS-wide strategic leadership of the highest quality that contributes to an effective and cohesive APS. 

For the purpose of carrying out the SES function, each SES employee:

• provides one or more of the following to a high level:
  • professional or specialist expertise
  • policy advice
  • program or service delivery
  • regulatory administration and
• promotes cooperation within and between other agencies including to deliver outcomes across agency and portfolio boundaries and
• promotes the APS Values, the APS Employment Principles and compliance with the APS Code of Conduct.

Guiding principles have been developed to assist agencies considering using a contractor for a Senior Executive Service equivalent role.

SES Adviser

SES employees may contact the nominated SES adviser in the Australian Public Service Commission to discuss issues relating to their employment, which may include:

• development opportunities
• redeployment
• redundancy and
• retirement options.

All matters raised with the SES adviser will be treated on a confidential basis.

The SES adviser does not have the authority to review or overturn decisions.

Currently, the SES Adviser role is performed by:

• First Assistant Commissioner, Jo Talbot
• Assistant Commissioner, Sam Montenegro