The Minister for Finance has declared that staffing levels in the Australian Public Service are likely to increase in 2020-21 as the Government responds to the international implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Minister, Senator Mathias Cormann said staffing levels moved up and down over time to reflect the various policy decisions of Government and this year the pandemic had been an important element in that redeployment.
He said 2,000 staff members were redeployed to Services Australia and the Australian Taxation Office to provide critical support to millions of Australians through key programs including JobSeeker and JobKeeper.
“The COVID-19 pandemic initially slowed the tempo of recruitment for routine activities by Agencies in 2019-20,” Senator Cormann said.
“Restrictions on movement beginning in late March and the urgent re-prioritisation of staff to the highest priority tasks initially affected the capacity of Agencies to pursue recruitment activities.”
He said natural attrition, combined with temporary delays to recruitment in late 2019-20, had resulted in Average Staffing Levels (ASL) being below the level expected at the 2019-20 Budget.
“However, as recruitment is now returning to normal, and economic recovery programs continue to be implemented, overall staffing increases are expected in 2020-21,” the Minister said.
“Significant ASL increases will occur in a number of portfolios in 2020-21 including Services Australia, Treasury and Infrastructure. However, much of this additional ASL is temporary, reflecting the nature of the response to COVID-19.”
He said Departmental funding in 2020-21 had also expanded to support the implementation of the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.
“In recognition of the impact that COVID-19 has had on external revenue sources, supplementary funding is being provided to impacted Government entities to allow them to maintain their workforces and operations,” Senator Cormann said.
“The temporary uplift in Commonwealth ASL will last as long as necessary over an appropriate transitional period to support programs that help Australians in need and back business recovery,” he said.
