The State of the Service Report 2024-25, tabled in Parliament today, shows clear progress across the Australian Public Service, with stronger service delivery, higher workforce capability and improved integrity.
The Albanese Government's investment in capability is rebuilding the Australian Public Service. This year's State of the Service Report shows engagement, wellbeing, innovation and integrity in the Australian Public Service are at an all-time high. The latest APS Census shows 93 percent of staff understand how their role benefits the Australian public. Ninety-one percent of staff said they are willing to go the extra mile when required.
Trust in Australian public services increased to 62 per cent in 2025, a four-percentage-point increase from 2024, with trust in specific services reaching 73 per cent.
Census index scores improved across communication, engagement, innovation, perceptions of senior leadership, and wellbeing support. Reports of bullying and harassment fell to 9.5 percent, the lowest on record.
The Albanese Government is advancing efforts to build a culturally inclusive, multicultural service that better reflects the diversity of modern Australia. 26.8 percent of APS employees reported their first language was not exclusively English.
First Nations leadership in the Australian Public Service has more than doubled, rising to 111 Senior Executive Service (SES) leaders, up from 54 in 2023.
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse representation in the SES is 11.8 percent, moving towards the 24 percent benchmark, aligning with the one percent annual increase target. This is showing the need for continued focus to improve representation.
In December 2024, the public service achieved its lowest recorded gender pay gap of 4.4 percent, based on annualised salaries.
The report shows strong progress across key areas, including:
1. Serving every corner of Australia and beyond with excellence: APS teams are delivering nationwide, from remote outreach programs that improve access to services, to protecting the health and safety of our food. Remote Service teams bring city-level support to approximately 335 communities nationwide.
2. Strengthening integrity and stewardship across the APS: Eighty-one percent of staff say their agency fosters a culture of integrity, up from 77 percent last year. Integrity improvements reflect efforts to build a strong speak up culture and learn from Robodebt failures.
3. Harnessing AI in the APS: APS agencies are building capability and exploring the use of artificial intelligence to improve service delivery and operational efficiency. It is guided by the recently released new AI Plan for the Australian Public Service. From predictive drug detection in over 3 million international mail consignments each month to forecasting locust outbreak. AI is being deployed within strong ethical guardrails to ensure systems remain human-centric by design.
4. Building professional careers across the APS: To strengthen workforce capability, the APS has introduced three new professions streams: Procurement and Contract Management, Evaluation, and Complex Project Management. These join the existing Digital, Data, and HR Professions. Together, these professional networks provide expert support, enable career transitions, and help build rewarding public service careers.
These results show that the Albanese Government's reforms are having a tangible and positive impact on our Australian Public Service. This transformation is changing the face of capability, inclusion and transparency in our public sector, and remains a priority for our Government.
The State of the Service Report and agency-level APS Employee Census results and action plans are now available through the APSC website.
Quotes attributable to the Assistant Minister for the Public Service, The Hon Patrick Gorman MP:
"Public servants are our neighbours, family and friends."
"APS employees continue to show strong commitment to being good stewards of the public service."
"The State of the Service Report highlights how public servants are using AI to improve government services, from border security to forecasting locust outbreaks and managing cultural collections."
"APS employees across Australia are using their skills to support communities through crisis response, public health and fair trade."
"Through the APS Professions program, staff are building new skills and working collaboratively, making sure the public service is ready for the future."
