Work with Purpose: A podcast about the Australian Public Sector

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 tells us about the importance of authenticity and leading by example. He also shares the guiding philosophy for his team at Austrade, which is “aim to be1 per cent better every day”. Through both minor policy adjustments and initiatives like ‘Wear it Purple Day’, Jayden's team influences not only the internal dynamics of Austrade but also resonates on a global scale, nudging the world toward greater inclusivity, one connection at a time. This episode’s Unearthed wisdom: Small actions can have a significant impact on making workplaces more inclusive. Strive to be 1 per cent better every day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Walsh, CEO of IPAA ACT to give you a little taster of what's to come. Caroline and Anna share their personal stories about joining the public service, some of the great bottom-up initiatives they have seen in their careers, and how leaders can support their staff to start their own.This episode's Unearthed wisdom: If you want people to drive change on the ground, create an environment of trust and psychological safety. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, we explore the challenges and opportunities of building and sustaining capability across the APS’s large and diverse workforce.In part two of this special episode of Work with Purpose, we continue our conversation with Dr Rachel Bacon, deputy secretary at the APS Reform Office, and Dr Subho Banerjee, head of APS Academy and Capability. We explore some of the mechanisms that are supporting capability uplift – the Capability Reinvestment Fund, new in-house consulting model, and the APS Academy. Rachel and Subho also discuss some of their top tips on how to drive capability uplift as a leader in the APS, including being prepared to have meaningful and hard conversations, approaching each task with curiosity, and being a role model that others can look up.Discussed in this episode:Initiatives driving capability uplift in public service, including the Capability Reinvestment Fund and regular capability reviews.Role of APS Academy in fostering academic partnerships and skill developmentStrategies for future-proofing public service capabilities, including in-house consulting and systems approach.Show notes:APS Capability Reinvestment Fund 2023-24 | APS ReformUplifting the capability of the APS | APS Commission Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, we explore the challenges and opportunities of building and sustaining capability across the APS’s large and diverse workforce.In part one of this special episode of Work with Purpose, we sit down with Dr Rachel Bacon, deputy secretary at the APS Reform Office, and Dr Subho Banerjee, head of APS Academy and Capability, to explore the nuances of capability within the public service. They discuss the role of the Secretaries’ Board and the capability committee in setting strategic priorities, including attracting talent, embracing technological advancements, and fortifying leadership integrity. Tune in to discover how the APS is taking a decentralised, outward-facing approach to drive continuous improvement in public service.Discussed in this episode:The meaning of ’building capability’ in a workforce contextChallenges relating to the APS Workforce Strategy's three focus areas for capability upliftRole of the Reform Office in building capabilityCollaboration between the Reform Office and Australian Public Service Commission.Show notes:APS Reform priorities | APS ReformAhead of the Game: Blueprint for the Reform of Australian Government Administration | Advisory Group on Reform of Australian Government Administration APS Workforce Strategy 2025 | Australian Public Service Commission Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 "’public good’ entail? And how can public servants ensure it remains at the forefront of their work?In this episode of Work with Purpose, we are joined by Dr Millie Rooney, social scientist and co-director of Australia reMADE, and Dr Russell Ayres, associate professor with the Centre for Environmental Governance at the University of Canberra. Together, they delve into the complexities of public service and the essence of the public good. Drawing lessons from the unprecedented challenges of the 2019/2020 bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic, our guests explore collective decision-making and question what truly shapes it. Tune in as they highlight the sometimes-overlooked successes of the public service, the essential need for genuine community connections, and the nuanced relationship between public servants and politicians.Discussed in this episode:The concept of ‘public good’ and its role in the public service.The relationship between civil society organisations, communities, and public service perceptions.Balancing responsiveness to government with community expectations and the current APS reform agenda.Envisioning a future where the public good is central to public sector policies and programs.Show notes:Australia reMADEThe Mandarin | What do we want the public service to be? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 progress across 50 distinct indicators. But with the first statement drawing on data from half a decade ago, some have raised questions about how it is relevant to today’s Australia.In this episode, join us as we host two distinguished experts, Leanne Wells, freelance health policy consultant, and Professor Rosemary Calder AM, a professor of health policy at Victoria University. They will unpack Australia's wellbeing statement, what it means for Australia’s communities, and how it might shape their future. Further, the conversation explores challenges for the frameworks, and the broader question of how it can truly make a difference on the ground.Discussed in this episode:Importance of metrics beyond GDP to gauge a country's prosperityAustralia's five key wellbeing themesHow averaging can mask inequalitiesStrategies for accurate data collection and driving community benefits.Show notes:Measuring What Matters – Australia’s First Wellbeing Framework | Publications | TreasuryState of the nation report: social connection in Australia 2023 | Ending Loneliness TogetherAustralia - OCED Better Life IndexWellbeing indicators could help deliver on APS Reform | The MandarinJim Chalmers releases national wellbeing framework | ABC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 manage hazards and risks to workers’ psychological health and safety. In this episode of the Work with Purpose podcast, our host David Pembroke together with Sarah Hawke, assistant secretary, Suicide Prevention and Priority Populations in Health, and Greg Vines, CEO of Comcare unpacks psychological safety at work. The panel delves into why psychological safety matters, and explores implementation challenges and strategies for leaders. This episode provides valuable insights into the importance of psychological safety and the steps organisations can take to create a supportive and thriving work environment. Discussed in this episode:Defining and understanding a psychologically safe workplaceLegislation and support for implementing psychological safety measuresChallenges and strategies in making workplaces psychologically safeImportance of psychological safety for providing ‘frank and fearless’ advice Show notes:https://www.comcare.gov.au/safe-healthy-work/prevent-harm/changes-to-whs-lawshttps://www.comcare.gov.au/safe-healthy-work/mentally-healthy-workplaceshttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-21/how-psychosocial-workplace-hazards-can-impact-mental-health/102224278https://www.themandarin.com.au/223621-secretaries-board-air-pro-integrity-ideas-with-psychologist/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 immense emotional pressures as they navigate the demanding and complex landscape of care provision for their loved ones.In this episode of Work with Purpose, our host Caroline Walsh, CEO of IPAA ACT, has a meaningful conversation about carers and how workplaces can support them with our guests, some of whom also share their own personal experience as carers. Joining us are Robyn Shannon, acting deputy secretary of the Department of Social Services, Lisa Kelly, CEO of Carers ACT, and Alex Allars, executive branch manager, Whole of Government Industrial Relations & Public Sector Employment, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate, ACT Government. This episode examines the public support mechanisms for carers at both the federal and ACT levels, and explores how these systems may need to evolve in the future.Discussed in this episode:The Impact of caring responsibilities and the differing needs of carer cohortsGovernment initiatives like the Carer Gateway, payments, and the planned National Carers StrategyThe ACT government efforts to support carers in workplaces and the effects on productivity and engagementAdvocacy and engagement with carers in policymakingVisions for an ideal carer-supportive Australia.Show notes:Disability and Carers | Department of Social ServicesAustralia’s 2.65 million carers urged to weigh up their vote in light of parties’ responses to commitment to Carers Australia’s election survey | Carers AustraliaWho is a Carer? | Carers AustraliaTerms of Reference | Inquiry into the Recognition of Unpaid Carers | Parliament of AustraliaACT Carers Strategy | ACT Community ServicesCarer Gateway | Australian GovernmentGetting a payment if you’re a carer - Caring for someone | Services AustraliaCarers can contact the Carer Gateway by calling 1800 422 737 or visiting the Carer Gateway website to see what services and supports are available to help in their caring role.For anyone who would like to know more about payment assistance including eligibility and how to apply they can contact Services Australia by calling 132 717 or on the Services Australia website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 everyday lives. This adversity can make it more challenging for them to attain higher education or secure senior executive positions.On this episode of Work with Purpose, we are joined by Lisa Conway, who is National Manager, People Division at Services Australia, and a Sir Roland Wilson Pat Turner scholar. A Yorta Yorta woman who overcame great adversity in her life, Lisa shares her personal journey as the child of someone from the stolen generation, highlighting the impact of shame, trauma, and discrimination, and her commitment to making a difference for people. Lisa emphasises the importance of cultural responsiveness, self-reflection, and learning from First Nations communities to create a diverse and inclusive society where everyone feels represented and supported.Discussed in this episode:The impact of stolen generation and how it affects First Nations peoples todayUsing cultural responsiveness to understand your own culture to better serve people from other culturesImportance of diversity in workforce and representation in societyOvercoming adversity and pursuing leadership roles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 public administration and service institutions, and the diversity of peoples and publics. But how does collaboration for public purpose work, and how can we ensure it is effective?On this episode of Work with Purpose, Professor Helen Sullivan, Dean of the College of Asia and the Pacific discusses the power of collaboration, drawing insights from her book ‘Collaboration and Public Policy: Agency in the Pursuit of Public Purpose’. You will hear about Helen’s new framework for analysing and understanding the dynamics of collaboration for public purpose, which goes beyond instrumental effectiveness, exploring collaboration as an affective space. Helen also shares examples of successful collaboration that showcases both effectiveness and affectiveness, and practical tips for public administrators to improve the way they collaborate.Discussed in this episode:Types of collaboration and challenges faced by governmentsImportance of refining ideas and diversity for problem-solvingMaking collaboration a core competency in APS reformPractical steps for effective collaborationExamples of successful collaboration.Show notes:Collaboration and Public Policy: Agency in the Pursuit of Public PurposeAPS Reform Priorities Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.