APSC Commissioner Peter Woolcott: “This review will look at opportunities to adopt best-practice ways of working to reduce hierarchy, improve decision-making and bring the right APS expertise and resources to an issue.” Photo: APSC.
Work to review the public service’s hierarchy and job classifications system has begun after the appointment of an independent panel last month.
Australian Public Service Commissioner Peter Woolcott said the review was the first since 2012 and was in response to the Independent Review of the APS led by David Thodey and recommendations from the APS Workforce Strategy.
The Thodey report called for a more united, agile, flexible and flatter public service with greater collaboration across agencies.
This review will examine the Senior Executive Service (SES 1-3) and non-SES classification levels (APS 1-6, EL 1-2) and assess how they are operating in light of leading evidence on optimal management structures and emerging workforce needs.
The panel is expected to develop recommendations on a clear, effective and efficient classifications structure that is fit for the future.
“This review will look at opportunities to adopt best-practice ways of working to reduce hierarchy, improve decision-making and bring the right APS expertise and resources to an issue,” Mr Woolcott said.
The review will look at streamlining decision-making structures so the APS can be more flexible in responding to change, including new ways of working.
It will promote a culture in which decisions can be made at the lowest level possible and ensure that team sizes reflect the work being done and jobs are classified according to the level of work.
It also wants to see if the way staff are managed can be simpler and clearer.
The panel is paying particular attention to the potential for new classification structures and will review the classification rules and update the 2014 management framework.
But the panel won’t be looking at individual capability assessments, changes to the current enterprise bargaining framework or harmonisation of pay and conditions across the APS, pay settings, average staffing levels, or evaluating roles or investigating strategies to increase diversity in the APS.
It will consult across the service and meet with unions and representatives.
The APSC says the full details of the engagement are still being finalised but a public submission process is planned so APS employees and interested parties can contribute their ideas.
There will also be focus groups, workshops and other forms of participatory engagement to both gather ideas and test the panel’s work, it says.
Ideas and suggestions can be submitted through the APS Hierarchy and Classification Review inbox: HCReview@apsc.gov.au.
Dr Heather Smith is leading the panel. The other panel members are Kathryn Fagg and Finn Pratt.
Dr Smith brings nearly 20 years’ experience in the APS, most recently as Secretary of the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science and at senior levels covering economic, foreign affairs, national security and intelligence matters.
Ms Fagg has worked in senior executive roles across a range of industries in Australia and Asia, including resources, manufacturing, logistics, as well as banking and professional services.
Mr Pratt has more than 30 years’ experience in the public service, leading reforms in a number of Secretary and CEO roles, most recently as Secretary of the Department of the Environment and Energy.
The panel will report to Mr Woolcott in the second half of the year.
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