Uplifting the APS workforce and its capabilities
The APS is continuously improving its use of data and digital technologies. This work is paying off with the Australian Government ranking 5th in the 2023 OECD Digital Government Index and jointly ranking first for readiness and second for maturity in the 2024 Intermedium Digital Government Readiness and Maturity Indicator report. To maintain this momentum, the APS must continue to have the right capabilities, practices and culture to effectively use data and digital technologies, to deliver services for all people and business.
Significant progress is underway in rebuilding core capabilities within the APS. The Strategic Commissioning Framework is guiding agencies on how to strike the right balance when using expertise from the private sector, strengthen internal capabilities and reduce risks to integrity and public trust. In a 2024 update, the Australian Public Service Commission reported that agencies intend to bring over half a billion dollars ($527 million) of core capability in-house in 2024-25. Around $49 million of this covers ICT and Digital roles and a further $13 million relates to Data and Research roles.
A key priority for the Government is to ensure that the APS has the right skills it needs into the future. A strategic Data, Digital, and Cyber Workforce Plan is under development to empower APS agencies to address critical skills gaps in data, digital and cyber and ensure the Government is attracting and retaining the talent it needs to deliver high quality government services.
A diverse and inclusive workforce is crucial to enabling greater innovation, understanding and effective decision making. Interest in data and digital is growing, with a more than 30% increase in membership in the APS Data and Digital Professions. These professions provide APS staff with opportunities to identify new skills, address learning gaps, and develop initiatives to engage in data and digital roles within the government.
Additionally, the Government continues to invest in APS staff through the APS Capability Reinvestment Fund, which has recently funded projects in priority areas such as enhancing data analytics and policy integration capabilities, and building APS understanding of AI applications in the public sector.
40.5% of women in data and digital roles in the APS workforce
This metric has remained stable and is indicative of the diversity of data and digital roles in the APS.
The Government continues to take significant steps to establish mechanisms and practices to improve the APS’ use of data through the roll-out of the Data Maturity Assessment Tool. Agencies are now measuring their own data maturity and will be able to track their improvements over time. A Digital Maturity Assessment is being developed to provide agencies with a benchmark of their progress, highlight areas for further investment and show their improvement over time.
2.02/5 overall Data maturity rating in 2024, corresponding to the developing stage
This is a new metric and provides a benchmark from which to measure future progress.
Strengthening APS data and digital investments for all people and business
To achieve the Strategy’s vision, the Government’s investments need to be well-informed and focused on future capabilities. The Government is committed to finding new ways to ensure that the APS has the right information and advice when considering data and digital investments to prioritise better outcomes for Australians.
To ensure that digital transformation methods and investment models support the Government to respond and innovate, the Strategy and its missions have been embedded in the Digital and ICT Oversight Framework. From 2024-25, all digital and ICT-enabled proposals subject to this framework will be assessed against the Benefits Management Policy. This will ensure agencies are best placed to realise all potential benefits from their digital and ICT-enabled proposals. Further supporting this work, APS agencies will now be required to design and implement Digital Investment Plans. These plans will guide agencies to plan strategically and create a consistent approach to digital investments, leading to better outcomes that align with whole-of-government priorities and deliver benefits for all people and business. By making the right investments at the right time, the Government will continue to use data and digital technologies to deliver connected, accessible services which are centred around the needs of people and business.