APS Companion Australian Public Service Induction Resource Essential information to understand and navigate the APS environment
Acknowledgement of Country The APS Academy acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Contents Acknowledgement of Country 1 Welcome 3 APS induction themes 4 Making a difference 5 Our values 7 The APS and Government 9 Understanding your responsibilities 11 The shape of us 15 We embrace inclusivity, diversity and reconciliation 17 More than a job 19 Future proof your career 21 APS Academy 22 Keep up to date 23 Prepare to launch 25 We are here for you 27 1 APS Companion www.apsacademy.gov.au APS Companion www.apsacademy.gov.au 2
Welcome Welcome to the Australian Public Service! This magazine contains the essential information you need to start your career and to work effectively as a public servant. It’s one of many induction learning resources available to you. “Being a public servant is a great privilege. We act with integrity and fairness to serve community and country to make a difference to people’s lives.” Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM. APS Commissioner APS Induction Pathway Click the pathway image to learn more about the range of induction learning experiences available to you through the APS Academy. APS induction themes The APS Induction Pathway complements your agency inductio Your manager and colleagues are a great source of knowledge about the APS. You may wish to discuss the following topics wi them over the coming weeks. n. th Your environment • APS culture and values. • How legislation, policy and governance impact your work. • How to put the Australian community at the centre of decision making and activity. • How your agency provides value to the Australian public. Your team • Team priorities. • Ways of working within your team. • Ways of working with other teams. • How GovTeams connects you with others in your agency and across the APS. 4 Your role • How your role supports team deliverables and outcomes. • What success looks like in your role. APS Companion www.apsacademy.gov.au Contents APS Companion 3 www.apsacademy.gov.au Contents
Making a difference What does it mean to work in the APS? We are one of Australia’s biggest employers and a part of every community. The Australian community is at the heart of all we do. We help shape the future of Australia. Agencies across the APS are working together to design and build better services to meet the needs of Australians. We perform a range of critical functions including designing and delivering services, providing advice to government, implementing policies, programs and regulation. “We work as OneAPS to ensure we better support people and deliver results on the ground, where they matter most.” Contents Contents 5 APS Companion 6 www.apsacademy.gov.au APS Companion www.apsacademy.gov.au
Our values The Integrity of APS employees and agencies is central to building a high-performing and trusted public service. Integrity in the APS is the pursuit of high standards of professionalism - both in what we do, and in how we do it. Integrity is a core consideration of our individual conduct and guides how we think and undertake our work as an organisation. We are: Impartial We are apolitical and provide the government with advice that is frank, honest, timely and based on the best available evidence. Committed to service We are professional, objective, innovative and efficient and work collaboratively to achieve the best results for the Australian community and the government. Accountable We are open and accountable to the Australian community under the law and within the framework of Ministerial responsibility. Respectful We respect all people, including their rights and their heritage. Ethical We demonstrate leadership, trust and integrity in all that we do. DRIVE - Charter of Leadership Behaviours The Secretaries’ Charter of Leadership Behaviours sets out the behaviours Secretaries expect of themselves and leaders at all levels of the APS. I C R A E More APS Companion 7 8 APS Companion www.apsacademy.gov.au Contents Contents
The APS and Government The APS plays a critical role within the executive arm of the Australian Government. Select each function to see where we fit into the big picture. Commonwealth or National Government The Australian Constitution Legislative Parliament House of Representatives Senate Judicial High Court Other Federal Courts Governor-General Executive Ministry Australian Public Service More on APS Agencies APS Companion 9 10 APS Companion www.apsacademy.gov.au Contents Contents
Understanding your responsibilities Legislation, Policy and Guidance governs how APS employees work and behave. The following comprises the essential resources and information to fulfill your responsibilities as a public servant and work effectively in the APS. Core knowledge Essential knowledge Legal obligations and values are CORE to working in the APS. Read each of the Core links now, or bookmark and read later. Core Public Service Act 1999 The principal Act governing the operation of the Australian Public Service and the legislative basis for your employment. APS Code of Conduct The standards of behavior you must adhere to, in line with APS Values. APS Values The Government’s expectations of your behaviour and performance, including your commitment to service, ethical behaviour, respect for all people, accountability and impartiality. Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 The rules you must adhere to when using and managing public money and resources. APS Companion 11 12 APS Companion www.apsacademy.gov.au Contents Contents
Essential Read each of the Essential links now, or bookmark and read later. Diversity and inclusion Legislative instruments, policies and guidance are in place to ensure you understand your obligations to support and encourage workplace diversity and inclusion. Integrity Integrity is central to building a high-performing and trusted public service. Understanding your duty to act with integrity is essential. Fraud What you need to know to report on and protect yourself and the Government from real or perceived fraud when managing revenue, expenditure, information and property. Privacy Legislative requirements you need to understand to ensure personal information is safely obtained, stored, shared and destroyed. Protective Security The APS has security policies in place to protect its people, information and assets. You need to ensure you are informed about the framework, your agency’s and local arrangements. Workplace health and safety You are responsible for taking reasonable steps to ensure a healthy and safe work environment for yourself and others. Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2022 Supporting you to meet your obligations under the Public Service Act. Commonwealth Procurement Rules The rules for procuring goods and services, including accountability and transparency in how money is spent. Social media Guidance you need to follow to ensure you portray yourself on social media as a trustworthy and impartial public servant. Gifts and Benefits There are guiding principles around accountability and reporting associated with receiving gifts or hospitality. Australian Government Style Manual Guidance for everyone who writes, edits or approves Australian Government content, to deliver clear and consistent content that meets the needs of users. Respect@Work Tools and resources to support you to building a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace. Through these comprehensive resources you will better understand, prevent and address workplace sexual harassment. 13 APS Companion 14 www.apsacademy.gov.au APS Companion www.apsacademy.gov.au Contents Contents
Women Women The shape of us Who are we? Browse these infographics to find out. 160,000 employees spread across: 6 agencies < 20 staff 45 agencies < 250 staff 30 agencies < 1000 staff 23 agencies < 10,000 staff 4 agencies > 10,000 staff Number and proportion of employees by location Proportion of employees by classification % 0.6 Trainee 1.1 Graduate 1.9 APS 1 2.7 APS 2 9.3 APS 3 17.3 APS 4 14.0 APS 5 22.6 APS 6 19.8 EL 1 8.7 EL 2 1.4 SES Band 1 0.5 SES Band 2 & 3 Proportion of employees by age Under 20 0.4% 20 - 24 4.7% 25 - 34 20.3 35 - 44 27.6% 45 - 54 27.6% % ≥ 55 19.5% Patterns of work Proportion % of total APS 80.9% full-time 13.2% part-time 5.9% casual Check out more stats from our State of the Service report. 15 APS Companion Contents www.apsacademy.gov.au APS Companion Contents www.apsacademy.gov.au 16
We embrace inclusivity, diversity and reconciliation The APS is an inclusive workplace that values diversity and respects culture. This is essential to delivering outcomes for all Australians. Key strategies that guide our commitment include: Commonwealth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Strategy 2020-2024 APS Disability Employment Strategy 2020-2025 APS Gender Equality Strategy 2021-2026 Additionally, Reconciliation Action Plans (RAP) provide a framework and guidance on how to meaningfully work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations. Together these strategies help create a workplace where everyone belongs. Diversity 60.4% Women 3.5% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees 4.7% Employees with a disability 7.9% LGBTIQA+ (2022 APS Employee Census) 16.8% Employees born in a non-English speaking country 22.7% Employees born overseas Check out more stats from our State of the Service report. Affirmative Measures - Katherine Affirmative Measures - Annabel What is an Acknowledgement of Country? Every day we live, work, and dream on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands. An Acknowledge Country, or including a Welcome to Country at meetings, gatherings, events and in publications shows respect by upholding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols. APS Companion 17 18 APS Companion www.apsacademy.gov.au Contents Contents Whose Country am I on?
More than a job When you join the APS, not only do you join your agency, but you are part of an organisation made up of more than 100 entities. Taking a One APS mindset, means your career and development opportunities are limitless, with a wide variety of short and long-term roles in policy, operations, regulation and service delivery functions. A job just for you Classifications Roles aligned to work levels Professional Streams Align your career to critical capability areas Mobility Workforce flexibility and individual development Flexible working arrangements Allows flexibility to balance you with personal commitments while meeting your agency operational requirements Assist during an Emergency Career Pathways Find the right path. 20 APS Companion www.apsacademy.gov.au Contents 19 APS Companion www.apsacademy.gov.au Contents
Future-proof your career Whether you are starting out or have experience in the APS, you will always need to adapt and learn new skills and knowledge. The APS promotes a culture of continuous learning to ensure you build the capabilities you need to do your best work today and keep pace with the speed and complexity of change. We learn through a broad range of methods Through our work and through others, by accessing frameworks, methodologies, tools and templates, and through formal courses. A great place to start is APS Craft! 22 APS Academy The APS Academy supports and enables the APS workforce to develop common APS craft capabilities. APS Craft The APS Academy delivers a range of learning experiences to build the fundamental ‘public service craft’ skills and knowledge needed to deliver great policy and services, relevant APS-wide. APS Leadership capabilities Learning continues throughout your career. APS Companion www.apsacademy.gov.au Contents
Keep up to date The Australian Public Service Commission promotes high standards of accountability, effectiveness and performance of the APS. Stay up to date on the latest developments across the APS. The annual State of the Service Report identifies year-to-year trends in workforce participation and capability across the APS. It highlights our capability and capacity to meeting strategic goals and priorities. The APS Employee Census is an annual survey for APS employees to share their views on issues such as wellbeing, innovation, leadership, learning and development, and engagement. The APS Reform newsletter brings you monthly updates on APS Reform, as well as top articles and stories from the APS Reform website. APS Companion 23 24 APS Companion www.apsacademy.gov.au Contents Contents Everyone at the APS has a role to play in reinvigorating, reimagining and reforming our APS.
Prepare to launch Now you have the essential information you need to work effectively in the APS take the following steps to launch your learning and career. Check out a few of these below. Create a learner profile with the APS Academy Know where to watch Parliament in action Subscribe to MyAcademy newsletter to keep up to date with new learning experiences and events at the APS Academy Listen to the APS Work with Purpose podcast Subscribe to the Australian Government Style Manual newsletter Connect with APS Social media Complete your APS Induction Pathway Complete your agency induction learning and activities APS Companion 25 26 www.apsacademy.gov.au APS Companion www.apsacademy.gov.au Contents Contents
We are here for you For more information and induction learning experiences, visit the APS Induction page at the APS Academy.
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