This report details the findings of an evaluation of the Australian Public Service Reform program 2022–2025. The evaluation found the Program had successfully embedded foundations for ongoing reform and delivered tangible results. Positive changes across domains such as integrity, public satisfaction with services and public service capability were reported.

This review assesses the organisational capability of the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet (PM&C) to meet the challenges of the next four years. The review finds PM&C demonstrates strong foundations. However, the review identified four priority areas for improvement that are critical to PM&C’s success.

The framework sets out principles and guidance to strengthen and support the merit-based selection and appointment of individuals to public offices across the Commonwealth Government. It requires that appointments to Commonwealth public offices be made by Ministers in a manner consistent with seven principles.

The Australian Public Service (APS) reform program has built on previous reform efforts and is now in its third and final phase. This report outlines the key achievements under the four pillars of the program. 54 of 59 initiatives are either complete or in delivery, with agencies across the APS actively adopting and embedding changes.

This review considers and proposes appropriate standards for the processes by which board members are appointed to Australian Government boards. It finds the current board appointment arrangements are not fit for purpose and proposes a series of reforms to the processes by which board members are identified, selected, appointed and supported in their roles.