Strengthening APS digital capability: insights on building a workforce for the future

Digital capability across the Australian Public Service (APS) continues to grow in demand as agencies modernise services and capture opportunities arising from emerging technologies. The report identifies how the public sector can be better prepared for future demand, strengthen technical capability and attract talent across Australia to support ongoing transformation. 

Projections show that, if current trends continue, the APS digital workforce will grow by around seven per cent each year over the next five years. With almost one in five digital professionals reaching the average age of retirement by 2030, the APS will need to attract and develop talent for more than 8,000 roles to build a skilled, adaptable and future-ready workforce. 

“This report gives us a clearer picture of where we are today, and what we need to do to build the workforce of tomorrow,” outlines Chris Fechner, CEO of the DTA and Head of the APS Digital Profession. “Critically, it reinforces that digital capability is central to how government delivers for Australians.” 

“By investing in skills, partnerships and career development, we can build a confident, capable and connected APS workforce ready to meet the opportunities of a rapidly changing digital landscape.” 

“It reflects the shared commitment across the APS to build the skills and talent needed to deliver digital services that meet the needs of all Australians.” 

Opportunities and emerging priorities 

The report spotlights five potential areas individual agencies and the wider APS can consider implementing to build capability, strengthen workforce resilience and effectively plan for the digital future.  

Reconsider educational requirements  

The APS can broaden its approach to digital capability by diversifying education and entry pathways. Strengthening partnerships with vocational and micro-credential providers will help align learning with workforce needs and expand access to skilled candidates across all levels of government.

Reskill for success  

More than 70 per cent of agencies report critical digital skill shortages. Addressing these gaps will require a coordinated, whole-of-service approach to reskilling and upskilling. Building capability at scale will allow the APS to reduce reliance on contractors and ensure inhouse expertise evolves alongside technology. 

Diversify location strategy  

“Australia’s digital expertise extends well beyond Canberra. By recruiting more flexibly and inclusively, the APS can draw on talent from across the nation to strengthen capability and better reflect the communities it serves,” highlights Mr Fechner. 

Expanding recruitment across Australia will help the APS to tap into a broader range of skillsets and experience, strengthen regional economies and create a more balanced, distributed workforce. 

Build pathways for growth  

Creating structured career pathways will be critical to workforce retention and progression.  

“Supporting career development is central to building a capable and confident APS workforce,” stresses Mr Fechner. “When people have clear pathways to grow and take on new challenges, it strengthens engagement, capability and leadership across the service.” 

Clarify foundational roles  

Identifying which capabilities must be developed in-house will strengthen workforce planning and delivery. By defining foundational digital roles, agencies can better prioritise their development efforts and ensure the APS retains the expertise required to deliver secure, reliable and user-focused digital services. 

Planning for the future 

“The APS has a unique opportunity to lead by example in developing a word-class digital workforce,” continues Mr Fechner. “By acting on these insights, we can ensure our people have the skills and confidence to deliver trusted, modern and connected services for all Australians.” 

The report will be updated annually to track progress and assess the evolving impact of emerging technologies. The DTA will continue working with the agencies monitoring these insights and use them to shape the development of initiatives under the Workforce Plan. 

To view the full report, please visit Digital Workforce Insights report | Data and Digital.