The Public Sector Commission has released its independent State of the WA Government Sector Workforce 2020-21 Report.
In a statement, the Commission said the Report assessed the performance, notable achievements, challenges and priorities of the Government sector workforce over the past year.
The Public Sector Commissioner, Sharyn O’Neill said the Report built on previous years’ information, providing improved data and analysis about a range of areas from workforce demographics and diversity to integrity and leadership.
“In the Report, I have made observations on the Government sector, including its ongoing response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and efforts to achieve the goals of significant strategies for integrity and diversity,” Ms O’Neill said.
She noted that 2020 marked 10 years since the functions of the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards were merged with the Public Sector Commissioner.
“While later changes added responsibility for minor misconduct and other functions, the 2010 reforms largely created the independent role of Public Sector Commissioner that is in place today,” Ms O’Neill said.
She said the critical role of the Government sector had been heightened since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
“Over this time, the Government sector has not only continued to deliver services in challenging and changing circumstances, but has also managed and responded to the impacts of the pandemic in the communities it serves,” Ms O’Neill said.
“The rapid way the Government sector had to adapt last year was eased slightly this year with good practices in place and only brief restrictions and lockdowns experienced in Western Australia.”
The Commissioner said the Report found that the median age of public sector staff was 45.3 years in 2020-21, with male staff slightly older overall than female staff.
She said since 2016-17, staff aged 65 and above had increased from 4.4 per cent to 5.5 per cent of the Public Sector workforce; the annual average percentage of youth employees (aged 24 and under) had slightly declined from 4.3 per cent to 4.1 per cent; and women made up 72.8 per cent of the Public Sector workforce.
The Commission’s 71-page Report can be accessed at this PS News link.
