What is the role of the public service in Australia?
Answer
Implementing government policies and providing services to citizens
Explanation
The public service in Australia is the permanent professional workforce that implements government policy, delivers public services, advises ministers, and administers federal, state, and territory programmes. The federal Australian Public Service (APS) is governed by the Public Service Act 1999 and includes about 172,000 staff across more than 100 agencies as of 2024.
The Australian Public Service Code of Conduct and APS Values are the central professional standards. The APS Values include being impartial, committed to service, accountable, respectful, and ethical. The Code of Conduct requires APS employees to act with integrity, treat people with respect, comply with the law, follow lawful directions, disclose conflicts of interest, use Commonwealth resources properly, and behave in a way that upholds the integrity of the public service. Breaches can result in termination of employment.
The APS is led politically by the Minister responsible for the Public Service (typically the Prime Minister) and administratively by the Australian Public Service Commissioner. Each department or agency is led by a Secretary or agency head, appointed by the Governor-General on the Prime Minister's advice for fixed terms. Secretaries provide policy advice, manage their department, and are accountable to their minister and ultimately to Parliament through Senate Estimates and other parliamentary scrutiny.
State and territory public services operate under parallel state-based legislation. The NSW Public Service, the Victorian Public Service, the Queensland Public Service, and equivalents in other jurisdictions together employ about 500,000 staff delivering schools, hospitals, police, courts, and many other services. Local government employs about another 200,000 staff. The 2023 Robodebt Royal Commission documented major failings in the advice provided to ministers and the implementation of automated income-averaging by federal agencies, leading to substantial reforms including the strengthening of frank-and-fearless advice protections for public servants and the establishment of the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority and other accountability structures.
Why this matters for your test
The public service runs the day-to-day machinery of Australian government, and recognising the APS Values, the Code of Conduct, and the department secretary role helps new citizens engage with government agencies.
Source: Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond (2024)
