Public sector employment appears to be defying a general job market downturn. 

Australia's job index has dipped by 14.3 per cent over the last year, with permanent roles declining by 16.9 per cent and flexible positions by 5.3 per cent, according to the latest RCSA report. 

Despite these challenges, public administration is the sole sector experiencing growth, with a 9.8 per cent increase in demand.

The public service workforce expanded by 6.9 per cent in the 2022-23 financial year, with 82.7 per cent in full-time roles, likely due to the government's effort to reduce reliance on external contracts. 

Assistant Minister for the Public Service, Patrick Gorman, has praised the APS for their commitment, saying; “Ninety-two per cent of public servants understanding how their work delivers improved outcomes for the lives of Australians is a fantastic result”.

Health, education, and community services also saw a growth of 4.8 per cent, indicating a step towards filling public sector vacancies. 

RCSA CEO Charles Cameron has attributed the job market's overall slowdown to economic and geopolitical factors but remained positive about the future.