Performance expectations

These are the performance standards we expect of employees at their classification level in all branches.

These expectations do not replace – but are aligned with – the APSC Work Level Standards and the National Archives Capability Framework.

APS 1

General capabilities

Drive for results

Keeps track of how tasks are progressing and acts to address obstacles to delivering results.
Adheres to relevant quality standards in completion of work.
Manages their own time effectively to accomplish tasks.

Flexible thinking

Is open to new information and views from diverse standpoints.
Accepts new work, using skills to support the team.
Asks for assistance when needed.

Self confidence

Consults with their supervisor to clarify work goals.
Raises issues with their supervisor as soon as they arise.

Collaborative working

Shares all relevant or useful information.
Supports team decisions, is a valued team player, respects others, does their share of the work.
Supports effective stakeholder relationships.

Leadership capabilities

Strategic insight

Can identify the key people, processes and technologies that are essential for their role.
Has a basic understanding of the agency’s role and functions.

Build organisational capability

Participates in the development of work area goals and objectives.
Upholds the APS Values, Code of Conduct and Employment Principles.

Lead people through change

Participates in the implementation of change.

APS 2

General capabilities

Drive for results

Takes action that leads to the delivery of agreed performance targets, goals or service standards.
Shows determination to meet the objectives set by others.
Follows their supervisor’s direction

Flexible thinking

Is open to and aware of relevant technological changes.
Modifies their own thinking, and assumptions, to take account of new and diverse viewpoints.
Responds flexibly to changes in team plans and schedules.

Self confidence

Accepts new work, applying skills flexibly to meet demands.
Consults others when problems arise, seeking approval from their supervisor before implementing solutions.

Collaborative working

Keeps other team members informed and up to date about what is happening in the group.
Supports and maintains effective stakeholder relationships.
Builds relationships within their team to work as a supportive and co-operative team member.

Leadership capabilities

Strategic insight

Understands how different areas within the agency are related and who the key people are.
Has a general understanding of the role and functions of the agency; is aware of issues that may impact on the delivery of allocated work tasks.

Build organisational capability

Contributes ideas to the development of work area goals and objectives.
Upholds the APS Values, Code of Conduct and Employment Principles

Lead people through change

Contributes ideas and participates in the implementation of change in the workplace.

APS 3

General capabilities

Drive for results

Is constantly looking for ways to do things better.
Makes specific changes in their own work methods to improve performance.
Makes administrative and operational decisions relating to their area of responsibility and following established procedures and protocols.
Finds workable solutions to problems, seeking advice from supervisor on the best course of action.

Flexible thinking

Demonstrates a willingness to change ideas and perceptions based on new information.
Has a general understanding of technological changes.
Accepts new work, applying skills flexibly to meet a range of demands.
Seeks advice about where to find information required to complete tasks.

Self confidence

Draws on their own relevant experience.
Takes responsibility for seeing their own work tasks through to completion.
Works as directed to achieve outcomes, even in difficult circumstances.

Collaborative working

Speaks of team members in positive terms, either to the team member directly or to a third party.
Cultivates effective stakeholder relationships.
Shares facts, knowledge and experience appropriately with others.

Leadership capabilities

Strategic insight

Understands what the role of the agency is, how it is organised and how it fits within the Australian Government sector.
Understands the role and functions of the agency, and is aware of issues that may impact on allocated work tasks.

Build organisational capability

Has responsibility for planning their own work goals and priorities that align with and achieve their own and team outcomes.
Upholds the APS Values, Code of Conduct and Employment Principles.

Lead people through change

Maximises the benefits of change and contributes to improved service quality and efficiency.

APS 4

General capabilities

Drive for results

Wants to do more than the minimum required, setting goals that are achievable but that challenge them to do better than before.
Takes actions that lead to quantifiable improvements in processes or systems.
Identifies barriers to completing their own work and comes up with solutions.
Makes decisions relating to their area of responsibility that impact on the work area or specific function.

Flexible thinking

Makes sense of disparate information; sees patterns and trends.
Identifies the implications and impacts of technology.
Informs their supervisor when work processes could be simplified and/or improved, sharing ideas about how this could be achieved.
Adjusts behaviour to suit new goals when team priorities change.
Knows where to find information required to complete tasks.

Self confidence

Sees themselves as a ‘can do’ person, and is positive about their own ability to succeed.
Demonstrates sound judgement, escalating issues appropriately.
Works productively to achieve goals, even in difficult circumstances.
Searches for solutions, experiments with different ways of doing things, and tries to work things out.

Collaborative working

Cooperates with others to achieve objectives in the broader organisation.
Builds rapport and maintains stakeholder relationships.
Seeks input and keeps their supervisor informed about work progress.
Builds relationships with their team and other peers to work as a supportive and co-operative colleague.

Leadership capabilities

Strategic insight

Understands the impact of the work area on strategic, political or operational outcomes for the agency.
Has a sound general knowledge of the role and functions of the agency and an understanding of how these relate to a specific work area.
Recognises how tasks contribute to achieving team goals.

Build organisational capability

Provides suggestions and support focused on helping people handle certain situations.
Values specialist expertise and creates an environment which facilitates the sharing and effective use of professional knowledge and skills.
Upholds the APS Values, Code of Conduct and Employment Principles.

Lead people through change

Contributes new ideas and maximises the benefits of change, including the identification of opportunities to improve the efficiency of business processes.
Sets up regular communications with the team (e.g. through team meetings) and makes sure the team is kept informed of what is happening.
Explains the reasons behind key decisions.

APS 5

General capabilities

Drive for results

Overcomes obstacles to achieving goals and, when things don’t go as expected, uses this as an opportunity to learn.
Makes decisions within defined parameters and sets new precedents based on sound subject knowledge and professional judgement.
Self-evaluates their own performance, benchmarking against feedback from their supervisor and relevant others.
Develops plans and objectives for short-term tasks of the work area and contributes to strategic planning for longer-term initiatives of the section.

Flexible thinking

Crystallises key points from a mass of disparate information and makes sense of complex situations.
Applies innovation to maximise the benefits of change and contributes to the improvement in service quality and efficiency, including the use of new technologies.
Remains open to new challenges, applying skills flexibly in a range of situations.
Is aware of the way things have been customarily done and uses this understanding to manage and pace change and to implement improvements to the way the agency operates.

Self confidence

Knows their own strengths, and development needs and is transparent about them when working with others.
Is able to absorb and deal constructively with criticism, seeking support as necessary.
Remains engaged and productive during challenging times.
Sets self and others stretching goals.

Collaborative working

Displays willingness to learn from others, including subordinates and peers.
Solicits ideas and opinions to help form specific decisions or plans.
Develops and maintains internal and external relationships.
Uses communication channels effectively and appropriately.

Leadership capabilities

Strategic insight

Thinks of new ways to support current strategies, deploying existing resources and technologies to solve current issues.
Understands the organisation’s strategy and the implications for various work areas.
Is aware of changes in the broader work environment that may impact on work objectives.
Understands the impact of the work area on longer-term strategic, political or operational outcomes for the agency.

Build organisational capability

Collaborates across teams to achieve improvements and greater economies of operation.
Develops and oversees the implementation of improvement and change initiatives.
Gathers and critically analyses information from diverse sources to explore ideas and complete tasks.
Upholds the APS Values, Code of Conduct and Employment Principles.

Lead people through change

Facilitates the effectiveness of a group by obtaining and providing them with the right resource or information.
Recognises and acknowledges individuals when they are doing a good job and reinforces the significance or impact of what they do for the agency.
Applies innovation to maximise the benefits of change and contributes to the improvement in service quality and efficiency.
Secures needed support or development for the benefit of both individuals and the team as a whole.

APS 6

General capabilities

Drive for results

Encourages and supports others to find ways of improving working methods so as to improve how the agency operates.
Takes the necessary actions to meet goals; identifies and applies measures to track and quantify achievement.
Makes decisions using good judgement, expertise and knowledge, under limited guidance.
Generates innovative solutions to problems, producing a range of options for consideration.

Flexible thinking

Shows innovation in finding ways of developing improvements, including the use of new technologies.
Comes up with new ways of explaining something complex, or seeing beyond the obvious, so that others are able to understand it.
Proposes and facilitates innovation and contributes to business improvement strategies and changes in workplace practices.
Demonstrates a flexible approach to work, displaying willingness to explore opportunities as they arise.

Self confidence

Feels able to succeed and is prepared to stand up and be counted.
Has the confidence to involve others in support of a particular goal.
Shows initiative and judgment in the interpretation of policy and in applying practices and procedures.
Evaluates the effectiveness of risk management and risk assessment activities within their area of responsibility.
Understands their own strengths and development needs, and seeks opportunities for personal development and to address performance shortfalls appropriately.

Collaborative working

Summarises progress, taking account of differing viewpoints, to clarify understanding and to establish common ground.
Develops and supports complex relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Selects and uses communication channels appropriately and effectively.
Collaborates effectively within team and with other work areas as required.

Leadership capabilities

Strategic insight

Recognises opportunities that have a significant impact on the agency or that affect multiple systems and/or business processes.
Understands organisational strategy as it relates to team and agency goals and adapts current strategy by anticipating changes based on an insightful understanding of the agency’s operating context.
Understands the broader governance framework of the Australian Government sector and how it impacts on the operation of the agency.
Has an in-depth knowledge of the role and functions of the agency and an understanding of how these relate to a work area.

Build organisational capability

Builds team capacity through coaching, performance feedback; and encouraging career development.
Understands the longer term and contributes to ensure the sustainability of initiatives.
Builds corporate knowledge and expertise by guiding, coaching and mentoring others.
Upholds the APS Values, Code of Conduct and Employment Principles.

Lead people through change

Gets input from others to promote the effectiveness of a team or process.
Acts to build team spirit to promote team effectiveness.
Contributes to managing change and uncertainty in the workplace.
Creates the conditions that enable a team to perform at its best (provides the right structure and gets the right people doing the right things).

EL 1

General capabilities

Drive for results

Analyses on the basis of the outcomes and risks for the agency.
Takes responsibility for the achievements of their own and team outcomes, monitors progress and follows through to deliver quality outcomes.
Exercises sound judgement, making independent decisions.
Takes responsibility for timely delivery of individual and team outcomes.

Flexible thinking

Works through obstacles and is resourceful to get back on track.
Encourages others to be innovative, in finding ways of developing improvements, including the use of new technologies.
Provides a significant contribution to innovation and business improvement strategies.
Contributes to the development of an agile workforce by applying skills in a range of situations and coaching others to use skills flexibly.

Self confidence

Rises to, and relishes, a range of challenges.
Is prepared to actively support others who are acting consistently with the core values of the agency and the APS and challenge those who aren't.
Engages with risk, including the conduct of risk assessment and risk management activities for areas of responsibility.
Develops solutions with an orientation to the future, balancing immediate business needs with medium and long-term objectives.

Collaborative working

Builds good morale or co-operation within the team, including creating symbols of group identity or other actions to build cohesiveness.
Encourages and empowers others and promotes co-operative work practices.
Develops and manages a range of stakeholder relationships and seeks input from team, colleagues and other stakeholders.
Is well aware of relevant interest groups and networks that influence key stakeholders and uses this understanding for the benefit of the agency.

Leadership capabilities

Strategic insight

Creates new strategies for the agency by applying insights from other organisations or practices and/or theories.
Coordinates and undertakes detailed or sensitive projects that impact on strategic, political or operational outcomes for the agency.
Considers and effectively manages competing priorities and strategic directions when achieving team planning and project outcomes in line with agency goals and objectives.
Undertakes work activities with an awareness of their possible impact on strategic, political or operational outcomes for the agency.

Build organisational capability

Successfully addresses people or process alignment problems between teams with peers and senior leaders.
Looks to the longer term and takes action to ensure the sustainability of initiatives.
Maintains a continuous improvement approach to individual and team work.
Upholds and models the APS Values, Code of Conduct and Employment Principles.

Lead people through change

Gives people a sense that changes are achievable and that their contribution matters.
Explains the rationale for changes and key priorities.
Implements change and manages ambiguity in the workplace.
Supports others to maintain focus and productivity, encouraging them to embrace emerging opportunities.
Manages and implements cultural change.

EL 2

General capabilities

Drive for results

Makes decisions, sets priorities, or sets goals on the basis of calculated inputs and outputs.
Commits themselves (in the face of uncertainty) to the pursuit of improved performance and the achievement of a challenging goal.
Identifies and leads innovative solutions and communicates the implications of decisions and actions on the agency’s business objectives.
Makes high level decisions and uses sound judgement about priorities, balancing short, medium and long-term goals.

Flexible thinking

Demonstrates a flexible approach to work, displaying willingness to meet evolving organisational needs.
Works through obstacles and is resourceful to get back on track.
Leads the way in developing improvements, including the use of new technologies.
Promotes openness to new information, approaches and ideas.
Manages resource allocation responsively to ensure achievement of team and organisational objectives.

Self confidence

Takes on very stretching challenges that others may back away from.
May be a 'lone voice' challenging the status quo, but will always be able to back up their position with evidence that the action is aimed at achieving the goals of the agency.
Identifies, manages and evaluates risk in all decision making and delivery of outcomes.
Develops, understands and promotes organisational strategy as it relates to the achievement of team, agency and government objectives.

Collaborative working

Responds flexibly to various stakeholder requirements and changing circumstances as they arise, varying deployment of resources within imposed constraints
Develops and communicates the strategic direction and vision of the agency to stakeholders.
Initiates, establishes and maintains key strategic internal and external networks.
Demonstrates flexibility and sound judgement in use of communication channels to influence outcomes, deliver results and support organisational strategy.

Leadership capabilities

Strategic insight

Understands the strategic relationships with an organisation and applies and maintains an extensive understanding of the role and responsibilities of the agency
Sets strategic direction, develops long-term plans and implements operational strategies aimed at achieving specific agency objectives.
Develops strategies that fundamentally change the way the agency operates and provides a strategic level of specialist, professional and/or technical expertise.
Maintains a comprehensive understanding of the agency’s impact on the wider political and community context in which it operates.

Build organisational capability

Builds capability in a team environment through coaching others, providing performance feedback, conflict resolution and encouraging career development.
Delegates tasks appropriately to facilitate employee development and build team capability.
Leads and manages change, analyses performance and takes responsibility for continuous improvement processes.
Upholds and models the APS Values, Code of Conduct and Employment Principles.

Lead people through change

Engages and manages stakeholders through change, resolving conflict and managing sensitivities.
Gets buy-in and commitment to the vision within the organisation and across government, involving a diverse range of stakeholders.
Inspires people to contribute to and lead change initiatives.
Provides leadership in implementing and promoting a climate of change and continuous improvement.
Takes responsibility for shaping organisational culture.