APS People

Diversity and Inclusion

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Strategy
This Strategy talks about what the APS and the Commonwealth public sector will do to better support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in APS workplaces. It includes actions for effective implementation in Commonwealth agencies.

APS Disability Employment Strategy
This Strategy provides a foundation for building an inclusive and diverse APS. It includes detailed actions for effective implementation in Commonwealth agencies.

APS Gender Equality Strategy
This Strategy presents a pathway to realise gender equality in our Australian Public Service (APS). It includes action areas for effective implementation in Commonwealth agencies.

Your APS Career

Review of performance management decisions
This video explains the rights of APS and Parliamentary Service employees in relation to performance management decisions.

Review of promotion decisions
Video explaining how ongoing APS and Parliamentary service employees who have applied for a promotion can apply to the Merit Protection Commissioner to have certain promotion decisions reviewed.

Review of workplace decisions
This video explains how any APS or Parliamentary Service employee (ongoing, non-ongoing or casual) may apply for an independent review of an action or decision that affects their employment.

Continuous Learning

Continuous Learning development Plan template
Use this downloadable development planning template to identify the learning experiences you’ll use to develop your skills and knowledge.

Continuous Learning methods – When and where they happen
This chart highlights continuous learning experiences that are the most available to APS people. It plots the frequency and distance from work for each experience.

Learning Reflection template
Reflection is important for self-development and improvement. This downloadable template supports you to create and build reflection skills.

Principles for a Continuous Learning culture
These principles will develop a continuous learning culture to support APS people, managers and leaders to take up their responsibility for learning.

Health and Wellbeing

Information sheet: Dealing with Workplace Bullying and Requesting Comcare Assistance
This Worker Information Sheet provides information and guidance to workers in Commonwealth regulated workplaces about workplace bullying and what assistance Comcare can provide in these cases.

Psychosocial hazards - Comcare
Psychosocial hazards are aspects of work which have the potential to cause psychological or physical harm. The Comare website has information and resources about identifying and managing these hazards.

Support and self-care guide – Human Rights Commission
Trauma-informed guidance to accompany the release of 'Set the Standard: Report on the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces'. This resource outlines trauma such as bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault and its impacts.

Workplace bullying (headsup.org.au)
Practical guides for employers and managers to help you take action against bullying in your workplace.

Work health and safety training list - Comcare
View a full list of training offer by Comcare, the national work health and safety, and workers’ compensation authority.

Editing and Proofreading
Interactive course on editing and proofing written text. It includes writing skills, editing and proofing methods. You will be able to enhance documents for correctness and clarity. 

Effective Communication
All workplaces use communication and our overall job effectiveness is strongly influenced by how well we communicate. Learn how to present information clearly, concisely and in a compelling manner.

Essential Writing for APS 1-4 Levels
This course is designed for those who produce documents involving analysis or evidence-based argument. It is suitable for APS staff who need to improve their analytical writing.

Essential Writing for APS 5-6 Levels
This course is designed for those who produce documents involving analysis or evidence-based argument. It is suitable for all APS and executive levels who need to improve their analytical writing.

Essential Writing for Executive Levels
Participants learn how to produce documents which are accurate, clear and consistent with Government style requirements. 

How to Apply for Jobs in the APS – APS Levels
The APS job application process. Practical exercises help participants write applications and perform well in selection activities and interviews.

How to Apply for Jobs in the APS – EL Levels
This program steps through the job application process at the EL1 level. Learn to write to selection criteria at the executive level and the legislative basis of merit-based selections.

Getting that Selection Right
This course assists those on selection committees to conduct effective selection processes. Examine relevant legislation and principles guiding staff selection and retentionto get the best candidate.

Grammar and Punctuation
This interactive course provides a foundation for writing clear and meaningful documents. Explore and review standard grammar, punctuation and spelling rules to build skills and confidence in writing.

Minute Taking Skills
Understand the purpose of meetings and taking minutes. Learn the duties and responsibilities of a minute taker. Discover good minute-taking techniques and explore different styles.

Report Writing in the APS
This course covers the processes for writing reports that adhere to the Commonwealth writing style. Learn to produce documents that have scope, effective research, are organised and interpret information well.

The Professional Executive Assistant
Learn about the business context of the APS as well as develop skills and share high-value work practices required to effectively provide professional executive assistance.

Working effectively at the APS 5 Level
Understand the work level standards, capability requirements and behavioural expectations at the APS 5 level detailed in the APS Work Level Standards and the APS Integrated Leadership System.

Working effectively at the APS 6 Level
Understand the capability requirements and behavioural expectations at of APS 6 level. Gain clarity of the APS Work Level Standards and the APS Integrated Leadership System.

Working effectively at the APS EL 1 Level
Understand the critical role requirements of EL 1s through the APS Work Level Standards and capabilities and behaviours identified in the APS Integrated Leadership System.

Working effectively at the APS EL 2 Level
Understand the broad role requirements of EL 2s through the APS Work Level Standards and deepen your understanding of the capabilities and behaviours required.

Writing Effective Emails in the APS
Emails are written more than any other document. It is important to know when an email is the most appropriate form of communication, and how to maximise effectiveness when emailing.

Acknowledge This!
This is a fun and interactive training workshop on how to deliver an authentic Acknowledgement of Country.

Compassionate Foundations: Suicide prevention capability
Suicide prevention is everybody’s responsibility. A simple act of compassion may be the life-raft a person needs to hold on to hope. This suite of courses will help participants build skills to respond early and before a person’s experience leads them to become distressed and/or suicidal.