By Joseph Sokacs | APS Academy
Making decisions
APS managers make decisions every day, exercising authority through recruitment activities, people management decisions, financial approvals and business delivery functions. Some decisions may feel routine or operational, while others are highly visible. Many of these are administrative decisions, made using authority derived from legislation and delegated to managers.
Understanding how this chain of authority works is a core part of effective management in the APS. These decisions often affect people’s interests and must be made fairly and within a clear legal and accountability framework.
The framework behind APS decisions
Administrative decision‑making exists within a legal framework that begins with the Constitution, which gives Parliament the power to make laws (Acts). These Acts, together with subordinate instruments and entity policies and procedures, establish a chain of authority that delegates decision‑making powers to individuals, often managers.
Working within this framework supports lawful, consistent and accountable decision‑making—particularly when managers are faced with unfamiliar or complex situations.
Any manager making a decision should be able to answer these key questions:
- Am I authorised to make this decision?
- Where does that authority come from?
- What limits or conditions apply?
- What policy or procedural requirements must be followed?
Why this matters in everyday management
Administrative decisions are subject to review and oversight, including internal review, external merits review, judicial review and scrutiny by oversight bodies. This reinforces the importance of making decisions within authority, following required processes, and keeping clear records.
For managers, good administrative decision‑making means being able to explain how a decision was made, what was considered, and how the relevant framework was applied. These practices support transparency and build trust in management decisions across teams and agencies.
Learning through practical APS examples
The Management Edge program focuses on administrative decision‑making as a foundation for effective management. It uses APS‑relevant case studies to show how legislative and administrative frameworks operate in practice. These examples illustrate how authority flows from legislation through to individual decision‑makers, and how managers apply that authority in their work.
Participants will also have the opportunity to apply the principles they learn to their own work context. This includes identifying decisions they make, mapping the source of their authority, and considering how those decisions could be reviewed or scrutinised.
By connecting the framework directly to work, participants strengthen their understanding of administrative decision‑making as a core management capability—and build a strong foundation for the topics that follow throughout the program.
Management Edge
The APS Academy’s inaugural Management Edge program kicked off in April, with over 400 APS managers taking part. Participants will work and learn together over 13 weeks through shared online discussions, practical activities and reflection to enhance their management and public administration capabilities.
A key focus early in the program is supporting APS managers to navigate and apply the legislative framework that empowers them to take action and make decisions.
The next Management Edge program is scheduled to commence in August and is now open for registration. Follow the link to learn more about the range of topics and benefits, and consider whether this would be a valuable investment for you or your employees