APS Values: Working Ethically in the Public Service

A half-day workshop building new starters’ understanding of the APS Values and how to apply them.

This workshop explores the APS Values, Impartial, Committed to Service, Accountable, Respectful, Ethical, and Stewardship, through practical workplace scenarios that help participants understand how to work professionally in the public service. Using the REFLECT decision-making model, participants work through real ethical issues and dilemmas, including conflicts of interest, unethical conduct, and social media responsibilities, and explore the legislation and policies that support a diverse and inclusive APS workforce.

Duration: Half day  ·  Delivery: Online or Face-to-face  ·  Cohort: 8-20 participants

Aligned to the APS Craft Capability Framework and APS Workforce Strategy 2025.

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Short Courses → APS Values: Working Ethically in the Public Service

What your team will learn

A clear understanding of the APS Values and how to apply them in real situations.

Participants build a deeper understanding of the APS Values and Code of Conduct, including ethical behaviour, conflicts of interest, and the legal obligations that come with being an APS employee under the Public Service Act 1999. They learn how to apply values-based decision making to solve workplace problems ethically, and build an understanding of diversity and inclusion within the APS context.

What we cover

    • APS Values and Code of Conduct — Understanding ethical behaviour, conflicts of interest, and legal obligations under the Public Service Act 1999.
    • Values-based decision making — Applying values-based decision making to solve workplace problems ethically.
    • Diversity and inclusion in the APS — Understanding diversity and inclusion within the public service.

Workshop format

Half a day, delivered to your team as a closed cohort.

McMillan’s APS Values workshop uses practical workplace scenarios and the REFLECT decision-making model to help participants understand how to work ethically in the public service. Participants work through real dilemmas around conflicts of interest, unethical conduct, and social media responsibilities, and explore what inclusive work practices look like in the APS.

At a glance

    • Length: Half day
    • Audience: Graduates and career starters, DAFF new starters with no previous APS experience
    • Delivery: Online (live, facilitated) or Face-to-face
    • Cohort size: Minimum 8, maximum 20 participants
    • Approach: Facilitated instruction and scenario-based discussion

Who the workshop is for

Suitable for graduates and new starters with no previous APS experience..

APS Values: Working Ethically in the Public Service is designed for graduates, career starters, and new starters with no previous APS experience who need a working understanding of the APS Values and Code of Conduct. We tailor content and examples to your cohort’s context before delivery.

Typical cohorts

    • Graduate program participants building foundational knowledge of the APS Values
    • New starters without previous public sector experience
    • Whole cohorts of career starters needing a shared understanding of ethical conduct in the APS

When this workshop is a good fit:

    • You’re onboarding graduates or new starters into the APS
    • Staff need a working understanding of the APS Values and Code of Conduct
    • You want new starters equipped to navigate ethical dilemmas and conflicts of interest
    • You’re building a consistent baseline of values-based decision making across a cohorts

How we deliver

Evidence-based training grounded in adult learning principles, applied consistently to every engagement.

1. Initiate

Confirm outcomes, audience, schedule, and success measures.

2. Design and tailor

Shape content and scenarios to your workplace.

3. Deliver

Interactive, practical sessions online or in-person.

4. Evaluate and close

Capture feedback, measure impact, document improvements.

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Let's talk about your training needs

Tell us who you are and what you’re after — Ben or Lauren will get back to you.

Prefer to call? Phone us on (02) 6230 0266.

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