Albanese govt shifting to more permanent roles and less consultants

The Federal Government's hiring market is undergoing significant changes, emphasising the need for refined talent management strategies as highlighted in a recent whitepaper released by Talent.

The whitepaper provides insights into the current state of the Federal Government's hiring practices, noting a shift from reliance on contractors to the establishment of a more permanent workforce under the Albanese administration. This report outlines pressing issues such as talent shortages, the integration of AI for efficiency, and the challenges faced in communication and Indigenous employment outcomes.

The document reveals a notable reduction in government spending on consulting firms, with a reported decrease of $624 million from the 2021-22 fiscal year. This shift aligns with an increasing preference for non-ongoing engagements within the government, driven by budgetary and salary constraints.

One of the challenges identified is the lack of awareness regarding temporary roles in the public sector. Despite efforts to promote these through platforms like the APSjobs website, agencies persist in struggling to communicate the availability of such positions effectively.

Furthermore, the Australian government is focusing on agile, project-based delivery models for IT projects. This strategy aims to optimise technology investments and enhance the adoption of data and digital capabilities.

Robert Ning, Talent Canberra Managing Director, commented on the evolving landscape of the public service and the importance of strategic talent management. "As someone who has spent nearly 25 years supporting the federal government in navigating various eras of change, I have witnessed the remarkable resilience and adaptability of the public service. As the landscape evolves, talent management and strategies associated with these are no longer just a nice to have but are imperative to success for the future of the Australian public service. Unless we invest time into these strategies, it would be hard to deliver to the community on targets that have been set."