Minimal change to the Australian Public Service (APS), a continued emphasis on training and ongoing modernisation are the central messages to come for the PS from the 2018-19 Federal Budget unveiled in Parliament this week.
Minister for Finance, Senator Mathias Cormann said the size of the APS was sustainable at around 166,000 with modest increases of about 400 and 900 predicted for the two years to come.
Senator Cormann said that while staffing levels were steady, the workforce was “more experienced than ever”.
“The median length of service for Australian Public Service staff is 10.5 years,” Senator Cormann said, “and its capability is growing”.
He said skills development would continue across the APS to allow it to harness digital technology better and use data analytics to better inform policies, programs and services.
“Advances in technology allow the APS to make improved use of data to inform policy decisions and drive service improvements,” the Minister said.
He said the $500 million Modernisation Fund was continuing to transform the APS with 42 projects underway to deliver quality services at lower cost, incorporating leading edge technology.
“The whole-of-Government Shared Services Program is helping Agencies better focus on delivery of their core services, by consolidating and standardising the delivery of their corporate services through designated hubs,” Senator Cormann said.
“Already 35 Agencies are receiving one or more corporate services through a shared services hub and, by 30 June 2021, more than 90 Agencies will.”
Senator Cormann said the APS Commission was actively preparing the Service for the future by developing a whole-of-Government workforce strategy to drive modern workforce practices and informing future capability requirements.
He said that only two per cent of APS staff moved Agencies in 2017 with 72 per cent only ever working in one Agency.
“The workforce strategy will include a project to enhance mobility arrangements between Agencies, other jurisdictions, and the private and not-for-profit sectors.”
The Minister’s 18-page Preface to Budget Paper No. 4 can be accessed at this PS News link.
