Work with Purpose: A podcast about the Australian Public Sector

The Robodebt Royal Commission highlighted the tremendous impact government policy gone wrong can have on the lives of Australians. The evidence given at the royal commission hearings also brought into question the state of ‘frank and fearless advice’ in the service. In the first rerun of our best episodes in 2023, we revisit our conversation with two public service leaders: Dr Gordon de Brouwer PS...

In episode 6 of the Public Sector Unearthed podcast, we dive into the Empowered Communities program with Kristina Musial-Aderer , adviser, Empowered Communities at the National Indigenous Australians Agency, Reshaune Singer , engagement officer for NPY Empowered Communities and Jason Quin, executive manager of NPY Empowered Communities. They share how the program runs from the ground up, how they...

In episode 5 of the Public Sector Unearthed podcast, we go behind the scenes of the Connected Beginnings program and talk to two public servants dedicated to giving First Nations children the best start in life. Lesley Richardson, director of Connected Beginnings Angurugu at the Department of Education, Northern Territory Government, shares how her career led her to playing a key role in the Conne...

Flexible work has become a staple in modern workplaces, and the public sector is no exception. With an increasing demand for work flexibility, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a shift towards more adaptable working environments. On this episode, we are joined by Clare Kelliher , professor of work and organisation at Cranfield School of Management, Dr Fiona Buick , senior le...

In episode 4 of the Public Sector Unearthed podcast, we shine a light on the incredible human stories behind the Regional University Study Hubs.   Hearing from the program delivery point of view, we talk to Libby Beattie, assistant director in the higher education division at the Department of Education. Libby, driven by her own experiences growing up in a regional area, passionately discusse...

In episode 3 of the Public Sector Unearthed podcast, we explore the journeys of Danni Woods, director of people and diversity, New Ways of Working program, and Olympia Sarris, departmental officer in the lived experience section at the Department of Health and Aged Care, who are dedicated to fostering inclusivity and promoting diversity in the public sector. Danni leverages her background in commu...

In this second episode of the Public Sector Unearthed series, we're joined by Jayden Swain, a dedicated diversity and inclusion advisor at Austrade. Having grown up in a small town, Jayden’s journey into the diversity and inclusion space was motivated by his passion for First Nations justice and education, and inspired by his grandparents, who were pillars of his local Indigenous community. Jayden...

From mentoring to inclusion networks, our new Work with Purpose spin-off series, Public Sector Unearthed, showcases the stories of public servants who are achieving grassroots culture change and reform. In this teaser episode, our series hosts Megan Aponte-Payne and Brock Phyland talk with Anna Ryan, Head of Communications and Engagement at the Australian Public Service Commission, and Caroline Wa...

In 2019, the Thodey Review highlighted capability challenges and untapped potential within the Australian Public Service (APS). Two years have passed, and the APS Reform Agenda is providing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build capability and improve public service. With growing awareness of APS Reform across the service and 270 specialist capabilities within various agencies and departments...

In 2019, the Thodey Review highlighted capability challenges and untapped potential within the Australian Public Service (APS). Two years have passed, and the APS Reform Agenda is providing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build capability and improve public service. With growing awareness of APS Reform across the service and 270 specialist capabilities within various agencies and departments...

As the Australian Public Service (APS) continues to drive its reform agenda, the importance of community engagement in addressing complex issues becomes increasingly evident. Recent challenges, such as robodebt and the relationship between the public sector and consultants, highlight the intricate balance between public good and how it connects to public service practice. But what exactly does "’p...

National wellbeing measures are becoming increasingly common around the world. Joining the ranks of countries such as Scotland, New Zealand, and Germany, Australia introduced its first iteration of its national wellbeing framework, ‘Measuring What Matters’ in late July 2023. Centered around five core themes—healthy, secure, sustainable, cohesive, and prosperous—this new approach aims to track prog...

By fostering workplaces where people feel safe about speaking up with ideas or concerns, organisations empower their employees to thrive and unlock their full potential. This concept of psychological safety is supported by recent Work Health and Safety laws that came into effect in April this year and are being implemented across Australia. These regulations prescribe how leaders must identify and...

Across Australia, there are 2.65 million people who dedicate their lives to caring for family members or friends with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or age-related conditions. These unpaid carers, often unsung heroes, face financial hardship due to limited income opportunities, paired with the significant cost of care. Whilst caring can greatly expand someone’s skill set, carers also shoulder im...

Each year during NAIDOC week, everyone in Australia is invited to join in celebrating the rich history, culture, and achievements of First Nations peoples. While more and more Australians recognise the crucial role that First Nations peoples play in caring for the country and making it a place we can all enjoy and love living in, First Nations peoples still face significant adversity in their ever...

Collaboration and breaking down silos are big themes in today’s public service. At the heart of APS reform sits the idea of partnership between the public service and various stakeholders such as communities, businesses, and governments. To achieve this, it needs on-the-ground collaboration that takes into consideration the interdependence of policy issues and tiers of governance, the hybridity of...

Last week, Australia commemorated Reconciliation Week. It was a chance to celebrate progress, but also to consider the inequalities First Nations people still face in Australia. Across health, education, justice and employment, the country still has some way to go to truly close the gap. On this episode of Work with Purpose, Brendan Moyle, executive branch manager of the Office of Aboriginal and T...

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used by public services globally, including in Australia, to improve policy-making and program creation. AI has immense potential to transform how the public sector functions and serves communities, from streamlining copywriting to providing strategic advice. However, there are risks and limitations associated with using AI, such as pri...

Reliable data is critical for public policy and program development, but many public sector staff still need to build their digital capability and literacy. Currently, the APS Reform Office is reviewing the digital skills of public servants and ways to enhance their skill sets. To contribute to this important conversation, the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) ACT is hosting the...

Australia's public service is based on the principle of providing frank and fearless advice, where advice given is expected to be honest and politically neutral to ensure public trust. However, despite the release of official policy advice, governments are sometimes accused of ignoring or rejecting their experts, raising questions about the efficacy of the advice itself. On this episode of Work wi...

The Robodebt Royal Commission has shone a light on the tremendous impact government policy gone wrong can have on the lives of Australians. The evidence given at the royal commission hearings has also brought into question the state of ‘frank and fearless advice’ in the service. On this episode of Work with Purpose, together with two public service leaders – Kathy Leigh, Head of Service and Direct...

Despite greater flexibility and more opportunities, the recent International Women’s Day has again reminded Australians that gender equity still has some way to go. The country’s gender pay gap persists, and women are still underrepresented in leadership positions according to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. One of the ways workplaces and women themselves are trying to turn the tide, is to o...

Partnerships are crucial for achieving meaningful change, whether that’s between organisations, people, or communities. Wanting to leverage this potential, advancing partnerships has come into sharp focus for the public sector through the APS reform agenda. However, developing these partnerships can be challenging – the more partners are involved, the more they have to grapple with different inter...

The LGBTQIA+ community represents a considerable part of the Australian workforce, and many workplaces are striving to ensure they feel valued, safe, and respected. Yet, a survey by Diversity Council Australia has revealed why it is so important that organisations in Australia continue to build on that work. According to their findings, only 32 per cent of LGBTQIA+ respondents were out to all of t...

Neurodiversity has become an important topic in the Australian public sector. With research suggesting that teams can be 30 per cent more productive with neurodivergent professionals, workplaces stand much to gain from greater inclusivity. Yet, many public sector workplaces can still do more to be neurodiversity inclusive. This time, we feature three public service thought leaders in the field, Le...