Working in Government
A willingness to serve and the ability to apply a deep understanding of the context in which the APS operates.
Contents
All public servants must have an understanding of Australia’s system of government and how to work effectively within it.
Working in Government requires an understanding of the context in which the APS operates and the ability to be responsive and agile, providing rigorous advice to the government of the day.
It's really important that a public servant understands Australia's system of government and the role of a public servant within it. You can't be a good public servant if you don't actually understand the role of the Commonwealth versus the states and territories. If you don't understand the role of the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and Ministers, you don't understand where accountability sits, where decisions are taken.
We're also accountable for the advice, and even if that's preliminary advice or it's early research, or it's the way we engage with our colleagues across the service or externally, all of that is part of and builds towards the higher level of accountability. Everything we do is really about benefit to the Australian citizen.
What’s your best advice on how to be agile and responsive when working in Government?
I don't think you can be agile, and I don't think you can be really responsive if you are not prepared. We need to be curious. We need to understand context. We need to be able to do that, whether that's through listening to what the Prime Minister and Minister says, listening to what the Australian community is saying, being informed. And then you can have quite clear-eyed views and be able to adapt when you know we have to shift resources around.
What does frank and fearless advice mean in the APS?
You need to have good relationships with whoever it is that you're advising. If you can build a level of trust, you can provide fearless advice in a way that is likely to be received well. Fearless advice is being able to say to a minister what you think they don't want to hear. Sometimes the advice has to be a little bit uncomfortable because that is the reality. But if you don't have a relationship of trust, it's very difficult to provide difficult advice.
What does it mean to provide informed advice to Government?
What that means to me is that it has been really well road-tested. Which Australian community, what part of the community is this intended to benefit? Will it? How would you know? Because you've tested it with stakeholders, you've looked at the research, you've pulled it apart, you've put it back together. Does it stand up? You've asked others to peer review it if it's necessary. You've really, really, really tested every element of it. And only then can you say to government, I'm confident I understand the parameters of this and I can answer all of the questions that I know that you will have. And if you can't, then you say to government this element of it remains to be fully tested so that you're very clear, particularly when it's very complex policy.
Effectively working in government represents a willingness to serve and requires:
- Knowing Australia’s system of government and the Australian Public Service's role in it
- Being responsive and providing rigorous advice to decision makers
- Understanding the budget process and how the APS contributes to its development
- Leading the development of legislation and policy and working within it
- Being accountable to the ministers, under legislation and within Parliamentary oversight and transparency mechanisms
Resources
Frameworks
The Framework is a guide for agencies, employees and managers as they build data capabilities, manage workforce requirements and develop careers.
The Budget Papers support the Budget-related decisions of government, providing the fiscal outlook for the Australian economy and highlighting major new initiatives of the government.
This video describes the Caretaker Conventions that apply in the lead up to a Federal election and provides guidance for APS employees on how to conduct themselves during this time.
The 2030 vision from the Australian Government is to deliver simple, secure and connected public services, for all people and business, through world class data and digital capabilities.
This change occurs when the Government decides to change the way Commonwealth responsibilities are managed. The Australian Public Service Commission provides an outline of the MoG process.
The Commonwealth resource management framework governs how officials in the Commonwealth public sector use and manage public resources.
The Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF) helps Australian Government entities to protect their people, information and assets, both at home and overseas.
The budget process is the decision-making process for allocating public resources to the Government’s policy priorities.
The main legislation governing the operation of the Australian Public Service (APS) is the Public Service Act 1999 (the ACT).
Tools and templates
Administrative Arrangements Orders (AAOs) formally allocate executive responsibility among ministers. They set out which matters and legislation are administered by which department or portfolio.
The APS Reform Office has created a website with resources and links on how public service agencies are implementing APS Reform initiatives.
The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) provides a range of resources to support diversity in inclusion in APS workplaces.
Integrity in the APS is a multi-layered concept that is shaped by frameworks and policies, assurance mechanisms, employees and broader organisational culture.
The Style Manual is for everyone who writes, edits or approves Australian Government content. Use it to create clear and consistent content that meets the needs of users.
The Government writing handbook is a companion to the Australian Government Style Manual (Style Manual), but with more focus on the craft of writing.
Comcare provides a range of learning resources to help identify, prevent and respond to bullying and harassment.
Comcare provides a range of information and learning resources on work health and safety and workers’ compensation laws.
This eLearning course explains your responsibilities under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.
Learn about leadership and management from experts within the APS. This recorded panel discussion discusses leadership and management in the APS. Recorded in February 2023.
This video is recorded from the November APS Academy's Craft Conversations event for Working in Government Craft month in October 2021.
To interact, communicate and collaborate through digital technologies while being aware of cultural and generational diversity.
Create and edit digital content to improve and integrate information and content into an existing body of knowledge while understanding how copyright and licences are to be applied.
Embed digital by default by promoting and championing digital ways of working.
Articulate information needs, to locate and retrieve digital data, information and content.
Protect devices, content, personal data and privacy in digital environments.
Identify needs and problems, and to resolve conceptual problems and problem situations in digital environments.
Dr Rachel Bacon, Deputy Secretary at the APS Reform Office and Dr Subho Banerjee, Deputy Commissioner and Head of APS Academy and Capability discuss APS Reform priorities.
The Federal Register of Legislation (the Register) is the authorised whole-of-government website for Commonwealth legislation and related documents.
The Australian Government Directory is a guide to the structures, organisations and key people in the Australian Government.
This fact sheet from the Parliamentary Education Office explains the law-making process in the Australian Parliament. It describes where ideas for laws come from and law-making history.
The National Archives of Australia (NAA) provides this suite of resources for APS employees to ensure you understand key concepts and practices.
Nate Riley talks about his APS career journey. He explains how he maintained focus and contributed to building APS capability across the service.
The Office of Parliamentary Council provides training and advice relating to drafting and legislative processes.
The Parliament of Australia website publishes extensive information on Parliamentary business, members, bills, committees and more. You can also live stream proceedings.
The Parliamentary Education Office (PEO) website has everything you need to know about the role, function, structure and people of the Australian Parliament.
The Australian Government is made up of many different types of government bodies. The Flipchart is a reference of all non-corporate and corporate Commonwealth entities and companies.
A full list of resource management guides to support the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 can be found on the Department of Finance website.
The Respect@Work website brings together a comprehensive set of resources to support individuals and organisations to better understand, prevent and address workplace sexual harassment.
This video explains the rights of APS and Parliamentary Service employees in relation to performance management decisions, and how to apply to have one reviewed by the employing Agency or the Merit Protection Commissioner.
This video explains the rights of APS and Parliamentary Service employees in relation to promotion decisions, and how to apply to the Merit Protection Commissioner for review of a promotion decision.
This video explains the rights of APS and Parliamentary Service employees under the Review of actions scheme, and how to apply for review of a workplace decision by the employing Agency or the Merit Protection Commissioner.
This fact sheet from the Parliament of Australia explains the Constitution, which is the foundation that establishes the rules for how Australia is governed.
In this video, APS staff from around the country answer the question: ‘What does working together in the APS mean to you?’
Research
This ANZSOG research paper, prepared for the Australian Public Service Review Panel reviews the APS relationships with Ministers and their offices.
Delivering for Australians outlines the Government’s reform agenda in response to the independent review of the APS.
An ANZSOG supported study examines the proposition that managers who exercise political astuteness are more effective. For public managers, formal and informal politics is an integral part of their environment.
This is the website and final report for the independent review panel of the the Australian Public Service (APS) led by David Thodey AO.
Courses
APS Academy Courses
Learn the essential skill of making good administrative decisions that are consistent with legal and policy frameworks is an essential skill. Examine legal authorities, case studies and how to review decisions.
This course offers a clear, consistent understanding of how AI works and what to consider when making responsible choices.
Appearing before parliamentary committees takes an in-depth look at parliamentary committees that scrutinise decisions and the information flow between the APS, the parliament and the public. This program will help you to prepare effectively and communicate information clearly.
Learn about protective security arrangements in the public service, including physical security, information security and cyber security.
In this course you will be introduced to the key principles and obligations associated with records management in the Australian Public Service.
This course will help build your foundational knowledge about important aspects of Australia’s system of government, structures, and frameworks that relate to your work in the APS.
This course is designed to support you to build your interpersonal and self-care skills to foster positive human-to-human interactions that promote connection and understanding.
This course will introduce you to the key principles, your obligations and expected behaviours regarding how records are managed in the Australian Public Service.
An eLearning module for new starters recognising responsibilities and accountabilities for managing public resources.
APS Unlocked brings together new and returning members of the APS to engage with experienced APS leaders and practitioners, who will share essential information and tips for a successful and productive career in the APS.
Takes an in-depth look at decision-making and the skills required to design, develop and deliver a briefing across a range of scenarios. Learn effective briefing techniques and workshop approaches.
This module will help participants apply effective research skills and techniques. it covers framing research questions, locating and evaluating information and forming conclusions.
This module will help participants engage with statistical information. It will build an understanding of key terms and concepts, perform basic calculations and interpret and present statistics correctly.
This module will help participants present data visually in a way that is clear, accurate and accessible. It includes tables, charts, graphs and diagrams.
This module will increase participants ability to provide sound logical advice supported by credible evidence.
This e-learning module covers basic concepts and terminology related to digital preservation in Australian Government agencies.
This e-learning module introduces the role of metadata for digital preservation in Australian Government agencies.
This e-learning module introduces concepts and workflows for digital archiving in Australian Government agencies.
This e-learning module describes strategies used for digital preservation in Australian Government agencies.
All workplaces use communication and our overall job effectiveness is strongly influenced by how well we communicate. Learn how to present information clearly, concisely and in a compelling manner.
This course is designed for those who produce documents involving analysis or evidence-based argument. It is suitable for all APS and executive levels who need to improve their analytical writing.
This e-learning aims to deepen the understanding and skills of participants in a range of core regulation knowledge and concepts.
National Archives of Australia provides guidance on information storage decisions. It provides advice about the different types of business information agency staff and contractors can or can't destroy as part of their daily work.
This course is provided to increase awareness and skills for Australian Government (Commonwealth) agencies to make use of metadata to help manage information assets (data, information and records).
The APS Induction pathway offers practical skills, foundational learning in the structure and functions of the Australian Government and an introduction to core concepts that underpin work in the APS.
This eLearning program is provided to increase digital preservation awareness and skills in Australian Government (Commonwealth) agencies.
This course covers the role of the secretariat when working in government, teams and stakeholder groups. Examine protocols and learn to coordinate and prepare meeting agendas and other documents.
This eLearning course will help to understand fundamental concepts of records systems used in Australian Government agencies. The course can build a professional understanding of these concepts helpful for anyone working in government.
This program educates Australian Public Service (APS) staff on the SFIA framework and how agencies can use it. It is designed as a series of information sessions.
Refresh yourself on the role of the APS, the underpinning processes of the Australian system of Government and its roles,responsibilities and systems.
Understand the broad role requirements of EL 2s through the APS Work Level Standards and deepen your understanding of the capabilities and behaviours required.
This course is designed to help Improve partnerships with ministers by uplifting the capability of APS staff to engage with ministers and their advisors.
Programs, Scholarships and Secondments
The Graduate Development Program
The Graduate Development Program is a 10-month generalist development pathway offered to new APS graduates by the APS Academy.
Dive deeper into the skills and resources required for working in government
The APS Induction Pathway provides new and returning employees with essential information and guidance to work effectively in the APS. Find links to essential information such as APS values, responsibilities, and support for your career.
Digital and data literacy is an understanding of how to use digital tools and data. As the APS continues its drive towards digital government in a digital economy, automation and digital transformation will alter how APS employees work and the skills they need.
Do you know of other APS resources which could be shared through toolkits to help build APS Craft awareness and capability?
Please contact the APS Academy via the Contact Us webform.
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