A new report suggests the Australian Public Service (APS) is evolving to meet the nation’s needs. 

The 2023-24 State of the Service Report, tabled in Parliament, highlights reforms boosting capability, workplace appeal, diversity, and public trust.

Reducing outsourcing has become a top priority, with the Albanese Government investing in internal expertise through initiatives like the Strategic Commissioning Framework and the Capability Reinvestment Fund. 

These measures appear to be reversing outsourcing trends and embedding core skills within APS agencies.  

Commonwealth agencies now include targets to bring outsourced work back in-house in their corporate plans, supported by resources and guidance from the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC). The reforms are designed to strengthen delivery, build skills, and safeguard integrity.  

The report also says service-wide bargaining has improved pay and conditions, enhancing mobility and making the APS a more attractive employer. 

Initiatives such as the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Employment Strategy and the First Nations SES100 program are bolstering leadership diversity and cultural inclusivity across the APS. These efforts aim to better reflect Australia’s diverse community.  

Integrity remains central to APS reform, according to the review. The inclusion of stewardship in APS Values and the implementation of the Integrity Action Plan are part of efforts to rebuild public confidence.  

The APS finalised 647 code of conduct investigations in 2023-24, with breaches confirmed in 86 per cent of cases. Issues included failure to uphold values, act honestly, and treat colleagues respectfully. 

The report shows strong workforce commitment, with 93 per cent of employees recognising their role in serving Australians and 91 per cent willing to go the extra mile. 

The full report is accessible here.

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