The report aims to achieve better government outcomes through facilitating the effective use of scientific input in policy development in the public service. The Australian Public Service (APS) is increasingly tasked with solving complex policy problems that require significant input from science in order to address them fully and appropriately. Policymaking within the APS needs to be based on a rigorous, evidence‐based approach that routinely and systematically draws upon science as a key element.

The APS200 project on The Place of Science in Policy Development in the Public Service systematically reviewed the ways in which scientific input is used to inform policy development in the APS. This report provides departments and agencies with practical and useful strategies to maximise the use of science in policy development. Ultimately, the project has sought to arrive at an end‐state where policy making within the APS draws on the best available scientific evidence on a routine and systematic basis. 

The project found that there are a range of potential issues associated with the process of incorporating science in policy development. Broadly these issues/challenges and related opportunities can be divided into five categories: 

1. timeliness
2. cultural
3. relationships
4. timeframes
5. access.

The key findings and recommendations of this report focus on best practice approaches and identify key strategies and actions to implement in order to encourage the uptake of science in future policy development.