2025 APS Census

The APS Employee Census is an annual employee perception survey of the Australian Public Service workforce as well as the Department of Parliamentary Services. The survey anonymously collects employee opinions and perspectives on a range of topics in the workplace. The Census provides employees with an opportunity to contribute to the direction of the department and the broader APS, as the insights gained inform improvements to workforce practices, policies, and strategies. Census results are also used by the APSC to inform planning, reform, and other initiatives.
 
From 2020 to 2024, DPS did not participate in the APS Census. During this time, DPS administered an internal ‘DPS Staff Survey’ to capture employee sentiment. The Staff Survey was one way DPS staff could provide feedback about their experiences and perceptions of areas including employee engagement, leadership, culture and working relationships at an individual, team, and departmental level. 

The 2025 APS Census was open from Monday 4 May to Friday 6 June 2025 and was open to all DPS employees. During this time, staff were encouraged to share their views on their experience working in the department over the last year. The Census asked questions about a range of topics including employee engagement, wellbeing, and leadership. As this was the first year DPS participated in the Census since 2019, a historical comparison is not available. 
 
DPS had a 65 per cent response rate, 16 per cent lower than the wider APS (81 per cent). Despite a lower response rate, survey responses are statistically valid at the department level.  
 
The Highlights Report shows strong performance in areas such as employee engagement, team relationships, supervisor performance, and autonomy. 

The department gains insights from the results and is committed to taking action to enhance the working environment for all staff. We will do this by identifying key areas for improvement and implementing change to make DPS an even better place to work. A Departmental Action Plan that responds to the 2025 Census results is currently being developed by the department and once finalised, will be published here in late November 2025.