On 11 June 2024, the Public Service Amendment Act 2024 received Royal Assent, locking in changes to the Public Service Act 1999 that will strengthen the APS’s core values, and build the capability and expertise of the APS. These changes support good governance, accountability and transparency.
Across the APS, talented and committed people are supporting the Australian community, the Government and the Parliament every day. Through APS Reform we are making changes to ensure the APS is future fit and ready to serve for the long term.
Changes to the Public Service Act 1999 include:
- adding a new APS Value of Stewardship
- strengthening the Public Service Act to make it clear that Ministers cannot direct Agency Heads on employment matters
- encouraging decision making at the lowest appropriate level
- making regular capability reviews a requirement for APS agencies
- requiring agencies to publish annual APS Employee Census results, along with action plans responding to the results
- undertaking at least one long-term insight briefing each year
- ensuring Agency Heads can delegate their functions to members of the Australian Defence Force.
More information will be provided as we implement these changes across the APS.
APS purpose statement not continuing
As part of the amendments, it was decided the APS purpose statement would not continue. This is because of views the purpose of the APS is already outlined in the Public Service Act as ‘the role of the APS is to serve the government of the day and to assist in developing and delivering its policy agenda and priorities’.
Staff across the APS worked together on the purpose statement, hearing from community groups, staff and industry, with over 10,000 pieces of feedback received through a staff survey. A huge thank you goes to every staff member who was involved in contributing to this work.
For more visit the Australian Parliament House website.