By Louise Richter, APS Craft and Learning, APS Academy
Clear and effective writing in the public service is essential to ensure government decisions, policies and services are understood, trusted and accessible to all Australians. Strong writing capability across the workforce improves efficiency by reducing rework, avoiding misunderstandings and enabling faster, more consistent communication across the APS.
APS Writing - learning available
To support this critical capability, the APS Academy has developed a suite of learning to uplift writing capability for all staff in the Australian Public Service (APS).
Aligning with the Australian Government Style Manual and the Government writing handbook, the APS writing suite is a program of learning which includes the following learning experiences.
- 3 video resources
- top tips for APS writing excellence – for all audiences
- building APS writing excellence – for developing writers
- leading APS writing excellence – for developing leaders of writers
- 2 self-paced, interactive eLearning courses
- course 1 – APS writing fundamentals
- course 2 – APS writing principles.
The learning material is designed for you to select the learning that is right for you, rather than a sequential learning experience.
What do the eLearning courses cover?
APS writing fundamentals
Choose your learning or test your knowledge and be guided to recommended learning. You might be surprised to discover that what you think you know, you might not know.
This course covers the fundamentals of writing, including spelling, punctuation, grammar, sentence structure and conciseness.
APS writing principles
This course is designed so you can complete your chosen lessons or complete the whole course. Learn through examples, videos, activities and knowledge checks along the way.
Learning covers plain language principles, structuring content, paragraphs, purpose and audience, tone and voice.
Who is it for?
All APS staff wanting to learn fundamental writing skills and APS writing principles, whether you’re new to APS writing or wanting to know what has changed in APS writing over the years.
Recommended for:
- all APS levels
- staff new to APS or APS writing
- APS graduates and academics
- CALD staff
- managers of staff developing APS writing skills
- staff wanting to refresh their writing skills or interested in learning about modern APS writing.
Why did we create the APS writing suite?
Results from the 2024 APS Learning and Development survey and feedback from across the APS identified written communication as a critical capability gap. With support from APS Secretaries Board, the APS Academy developed online, just-in-time learning products to cater to foundational writing skill development.
What was our mission?
To uplift APS writing capability by designing self-paced learning that meets the following criteria:
- accessible to all APS – regardless of level
- available free of charge
- available at the point of need – no waiting time to enrol and participate
- allows participants to choose development focus areas
- allows learning to be revisited
- engaging and interactive – participants learn, do, reflect and retry.
Who did we consult?
The APS Academy consulted over 30 experienced writing practitioners from across the APS in the development of the writing suite. Consultation provided areas of focus including:
- existing APS writing capability development needs
- barriers to learning about writing in the APS
- the need for self-paced learning products
- APS writing themes and content to develop.
Where can you find the learning and more?
The APS Writing Suite is available in APSLearn. You can find more information about the suite by visiting the APS Writing Suite.
You can also find it on the Writing in the APS page which offers a wide range of skill development options and resources to boost your writing capability. Learning options include other self-paced eLearning products, facilitated courses (delivered virtually or face to face), resources, events and links to other APS writing-related learning material.
If your agency would like more information on accessing the learning products, contact the team.