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Australian Public Service Commission Regional offices
Your regional Commission office provides a local focus for Commission services.
We work with you and your agency promoting good practice in managing people, in supporting leadership and learning and development in the APS, and in fostering workplaces that value ethical behaviour and diversity. We also have an important evaluation role in working with agencies to ensure that the APS is performing effectively and consistently within the APS Values.
Staff in each of our regional offices can also assist you with a wide range of HR, professional development and leadership services.
Many of our services are also available to non-APS agencies.
You can find information on the following services by clicking on the following links:
- Recruitment, selection and career development
- Learning and development
- APS Values and ethics
- Leadership development
- Support for HR better practice
- State and regional networks
- Merit protection, review and dispute resolution
Find your local office
Western Australia Level 8, |
Victoria and Tasmania Level 6 |
New South Wales PO Box 20636 Level 22 |
Queensland PO Box 10191 |
North Queensland c/o Centrelink Level 6 |
South Australia and Northern Territory Level 4 |
Recruitment, selection and career development
Your agency needs the very best people. We are a national organisation with a reputation for adding value to recruitment and selection in the APS. From us you’ll get timely, high quality and effective service to ensure that you get the very best staff to meet your needs. You’ll get the most reliable understanding of the APS employment framework, strength in application of the merit principle, confidence that Public Service Act requirements have been met and the very best advice on all stages of your recruitment and selection work, including the streamlining of processes.
More information is available at our Independent selection advisory committees page.
Independent Selection Advisory Committees
On behalf of the Merit Protection Commissioner regional staff convene Independent Selection Advisory Committees (ISACs). An ISAC is an independent three-member committee that makes recommendations about the suitability of candidates for engagement at, promotion to, or assignment of duties at, classifications included in APS Classification Groups 2 to 6. If the Committee’s recommendations are accepted, the employment decisions are not subject to review.
Selection Advisory Committees
On behalf of the Public Service Commissioner, regional staff also participate in staff selection processes at EL and APS levels. Services can include:
- support developing or managing recruitment processes,
- committee convenor,
- committee member, and
- preparation of selection reports (scribing).
A wide range of flexible selection and recruitment services are available, allowing for a range of different selection methods.
APS career transition training and coaching
Regional staff can provide advice and training for APS employees who are seeking career transition or development to a higher level job or an alternative position. Advice, training or coaching can be delivered individually or to groups, helping participants to:
- gain understanding of the characteristics and expectations of their current level and/or the level above;
- identify and address capability gaps; and
- perform better in future selection exercises.
Excess or potentially excess staff may wish to access the APSC Career Transition and Support Centre.
Learning & development
Capability building is central to your and your agency’s performance.
The Commission is uniquely positioned to understand the challenges and culture of the APS. This allows us to provide you with a wide range of learning and development programmes and activities that are specifically designed to help your agency and staff. All of our programmes are prepared and presented by experts in public sector management and leadership.
Participants on our programmes have the opportunity to:
- see and learn from other APS attendees,
- broaden their view by interacting with different people with different perspectives,
- build a network of APS employees in similar roles, and
- access contemporary content from presenters that understand the challenges and culture of the APS.
Public calendar
Our calendar of public programmes for 2009 is now available.
In-house and tailored delivery of programmes
Regional staff can customise training programmes and learning solutions to meet the particular needs of your agency in a flexible, cost-effective way. In-house delivery provides direct access to quality development and training in a way that maximises development opportunities and achieves considerable cost savings. All programmes on our public calendar can be delivered in-house. If you need to engage a consultant to deliver a particular programme we can make the process simple for you by providing you with fast access to our panel of consultants with wide-ranging expertise and proven track records.
Training venue hire
Many of our regional offices are equipped with modern and functional training facilities which are available for hire at competitive rates. Each regional office is located within the CBD for your convenience.
APS Values and ethics
The Commission is responsible for promoting and evaluating the implementation of the APS Values and Code of Conduct. Regional staff provide advice and training to agencies and their staff on the practical day-to-day application of the APS Values and Code of Conduct to the work environment. For those in leadership positions, training covers application within the context of decision making, ethical judgement and self awareness. All staff need to understand how to prevent harassment and promote respect in the workplace. Training for harassment or diversity contact officers, working specifically within the APS and its governing legislation, can also be delivered.
Leadership development
The Commission supports the building and maintenance of a strong APS-wide leadership, and the development of a shared understanding of the type of leadership required of the SES and regional leaders.
We can help you to increase your understanding of the capabilities, values, ethical standards and leadership behaviours required of APS leaders. If leadership training is your focus, you will benefit from programmes developed by the Commission using the APS Integrated Leadership System (ILS).
Regional offices regularly hold a range of local leadership conferences and events, including Australian Government Leadership Network (state-based senior APS leaders) and Linking Leaders (State-based SES) activities.
See the National Leadership Learning and Development Calendar for more information on regional conferences and events.
Support for better practice in HR management
You’ll be faced with many people management challenges, both planned and unplanned, and you’ll want the best support to handle these responsibly and professionally. The Commission’s regional staff can introduce you to our better practice HR solutions and provide you with advice and a range of tools to support your HR and business responsibilities. Our publications are supported in many cases by accompanying developmental and implementation materials.
As recognised experts in the APS employment framework, we will ensure that you have the best policy advice and interpretation when you need it. Whether you need to resolve a specific issue or you are seeking broader advice on the operation of the employment framework, the Commission can provide you with the tools and information that you need.
See the National Leadership Learning and Development Calendar for more information on regionally based better HR practice events.
State and regional networks
Australian Government Leadership Networks
Membership of the Australian Government Leadership Networks (AGLN) is open to all senior leaders of the Australian Public Sector. Networks are supported by the Australian Public Service Commission in each state and territory.
The purpose of each AGLN is to facilitate the effectiveness of senior leaders of the Australian Public Sector by providing a forum for:
- leadership development,
- exchange of innovative thinking, ideas, knowledge and experiences,
- peer support and collegiality,
- facilitation of whole-of-government approaches to Australian Public Sector activities,
- member contributions to the development of local and strategic Australian Public Sector initiatives, and
- reducing the impact of geographical isolation from national offices.
AGLN events include monthly forums and annual conferences.
See the National Leadership Learning and Development Calendar for more information on Australian Government Leadership Network regional events.
Indigenous APS Employment Networks (IAPSEN)
IAPSENs are dedicated to helping Indigenous Australians improve their employment opportunities within the Australian Public Service. The networks were established as an Australian Public Service Commission initiative in response to a need for Indigenous APS employees to have a means of networking with each other. IAPSENs provide an important mechanism for Indigenous employees to support each other, share information and experiences and promote cultural awareness and respect in the wider APS.
Further information on the networks is available from the IAPSEN website www.apsc.gov.au/iapsen
People management networks
These networks have been established in most states and territories to support Commonwealth Public Sector Human Resource Managers and Practitioners. The networks, supported by the APS Commission, aim to facilitate:
- sharing of human resource knowledge, ideas and experiences, including best practice initiatives,
- exposure to contemporary and innovative human resource developments, and
- development of collegiality and informal networks amongst peers.
Other networks
The Women’s Interagency Network (WA) connects and unites female employees of the Federal and State Governments in Western Australia. For more information contact the Perth Regional Office. apsc.perth@apsc.gov.au
The North Queensland Regional Directors' Network (NQNet) is a network of senior representatives from APS and some State Government agencies located in Townsville and serving the North Queensland area. NQNet was established to promote and facilitate the exchange of information and best practice strategies with a view to providing better public administration, and to develop and maintain a high quality programme of training activities for members at competitive prices. For more information contact Rhonda Elliot on (07) 4760 8616 or email rhonda.elliott@apsc.gov.au.
Merit protection, review and dispute resolution
APS Agencies are required, and need, to maintain workplaces that encourage productive and harmonious working environments. To help with this, the Commission, through its regional offices, has a key role in providing independent, external review of actions affecting individual APS employees, including promotion review. Regional staff also provide advice on procedural questions where appropriate.
The Commission's functions are not limited to the APS. On a fee-for-service basis, we can provide employment-related functions for State and Territory departments and authorities, local government bodies, private corporations and bodies and for Commonwealth authorities whose employees are not engaged under the PS Act.
Merit Protection Commissioner role and functions
The Merit Protection Commissioner provides assurance that the APS values are being applied effectively in certain key areas of the APS employment framework, such as:
- merit based employment decisions,
- ethical standards, and
- a fair system of review of employment decisions.
Review of promotion decisions
If you are an APS employee who has unsuccessfully applied for an APS job, you may be entitled to apply to have the decision reviewed by a Promotion Review Committee.
For more information see
- Review of Promotion Decisions
- Application form for review of action or promotion
- Notification of current applications for review by a PRC
Review of actions
The Australian Public Service Commission has a key role in providing independent external review of actions affecting individual APS employees. This role assists in giving effect to the policy of the Australian Government that APS agencies should achieve and maintain workplaces that encourage productive and harmonious working environments. It also helps to provide a fair system for the review of decisions affecting APS employees. Regional staff fulfil the Merit Protection Commissioner's statutory function of undertaking reviews of employment actions.
For more information see Reviews of Action
Regional staff also conduct training in administrative investigations for those involved in conducting primary reviews of action.
Review of breaches of the APS Code of Conduct
The Merit Protection Commissioner plays a significant role in supporting the maintenance of a high level of ethical standards in the APS through the review of decisions relating to breaches of the APS Code of Conduct, and enquiring into whistleblower reports.
For more information see Reviews of Breaches of the APS Code of Conduct
Regional staff also conduct administrative investigations training for people involved in investigating or handling potential breaches of the Code of Conduct.
Dispute resolution
If you are faced with what appears to be a developing or intractable problem between individuals or groups, our trained and experienced staff can assist with facilitation, mediation and dispute resolution services. Early intervention can lead to quick resolution, and has the potential to minimise longer term difficulties and formal review processes.
