Strengthening Australia’s digital capability: New EVP launched

The Digital Employee Value Proposition (EVP) establishes a clear and consistent foundation for attracting and retaining digital specialists to deliver simple, secure and connected services for all Australians. It defines the scale, purpose and national significance of digital work offered in the public sector.

Built on the voice of digital professionals

The Digital EVP reflects direct feedback from digital professionals across government on what a career in the public service can offer, and what it means to be part of the Australian Public Service (APS) digital profession.  

The DTA engaged digital professionals in the APS through a survey, with the findings explored further through workshops.  

Findings demonstrated strong alignment around purpose and impact, opportunities for learning and growth, and the importance of community and belonging. Digital professionals value meaningful work, complex problem solving and supportive work environments.

These insights shaped the four attributes of the Digital EVP:

• Collaborate across government for public good
• Protect and uplift the nation’s most critical systems
• Solve complex problems with digital solutions
• Design and build simple, secure and connected public services

“Digital and cyber professionals are responsible for designing, delivering and securing systems that millions of Australians depend on every day," pinpointed Chris Fechner, Chief Executive Officer at the DTA.  

"This proposition recognises the scale of that responsibility and reinforces the opportunities that come with working on digital projects of national significance.”  

Together, they reflect the complexity and significance of digital work in government. From strengthening cyber resilience to improving the design and delivery of essential services relied on by Australians every day.

A consistent foundation for digital capability

The Digital EVP recognises professionals seek to make a meaningful contribution to work that matters within a strong professional community. It reinforces the importance of inclusive culture, flexibility and stable employment conditions. The EVP complements and is to be used alongside the broader APS EVP, while recognising the unique aspects of working within the digital profession.

Consultation also identified challenges, including legacy technology, capability gaps and complex governance settings.

These insights will inform ongoing workforce initiatives under the APS Data, Digital and Cyber Workforce Plan.

“A resilient digital workforce requires clear career pathways, professional mobility and a culture that values expertise,” continues Mr Fechner.  

“The EVP strengthens those foundations across government and supports the long-term capability needed to deliver secure and trusted services.”  

Building the digital workforce of the future

The Digital EVP provides agencies with clear and consistent messaging for recruitment, career development and workforce planning across government. It forms part of the broader work underway through the Workforce Plan, which sets the long-term direction to ensure the APS has the skills and professional pathways required to sustain and extend Australia’s leadership in digital government.

A year on from the release of the Workforce Plan, the DTA has already delivered a number of key initiatives. This includes the APS Digital Workforce Insights Report which draws on workforce data and capability to provide an overview of current and emerging workforce opportunities.  

The Plan strengthens a coordinated approach to growing digital expertise across the APS. By broadening pathways into digital and cyber roles, supporting greater mobility across agencies and reinforcing a deliberate focus on building capability from within government. As digital technologies continue to evolve, including the accelerated adoption of artificial intelligence, this important reform positions the APS to deepen its data and digital maturity.  

The EVP reinforces that effort by defining a consistent proposition for digital professionals and supporting a cohesive profession equipped to modernise essential systems and deliver secure, trusted and connected public services for Australians.

To discover the Digital Employee Value Proposition, please visit apsprofessions.gov.au/digitalevp.