This week’s budget papers outline a surge in public service employment.

The APS is poised for significant growth according to Treasurer Jim Chalmers' 2024-25 Federal Budget. 

The documents show the APS payroll headcount is set to surge to 300,000, reflecting a substantial increase in staffing levels aimed at restoring capabilities previously diminished by outsourcing and underinvestment.

The budget details an increase of over 17,000 APS roles for the upcoming financial year, with an additional 21,000 positions if military personnel are included. 

The APS headcount is expected to reach over 294,000 when factoring in currently serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel. Including secretive workforce numbers from agencies like the Australian Signals Directorate and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the overall figure exceeds 300,000.

The government has suggested that previous administrations masked real headcount figures by relying on contractors and consultants. 

Public Service Minister Katy Gallagher says this government realises that a well-resourced public service is needed for effective governance. 

“We inherited a public service that had been hollowed out after a decade of outsourcing, underinvestment and undervaluing of the work that public servants do and the services they deliver,” she said.

Social Services appears to have led the charge in reducing contractor reliance, converting over 1,800 positions to APS roles. 

Other agencies, including Health and Aged Care, managed smaller conversions, with Defence and Education converting only two positions each. 

The broader trend indicates a significant shift towards in-house staffing, with over 8,800 new APS positions created since the 2023 budget.

The budget outlines strategic increases in staffing aligned with the government's policy agenda. 

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will receive an average staffing level (ASL) boost of around 1,700 to enhance tax enforcement and efficiency, addressing issues like COVID-related tax debt and fraud prevention. 

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will see a near 1,000 ASL increase to support the renewables revolution. Defence, incorporating new nuclear submarines, will gain over 7,500 staff, predominantly in uniform roles.

In contrast, some agencies will see reductions. 

The Australian National Audit Office will lose five ASL, and the Office of National Intelligence will see a decrease of 19 ASL. 

Surprisingly, the Australian Public Service Commission itself will reduce by 15 ASL.

Services Australia will receive $1.8 billion over three years to enhance service delivery, with 4,030 new staff joining in 2024-25. 

This is part of a broader effort to rebuild trust and efficiency following the robodebt scandal. 

Minister Bill Shorten says the government is committed to investing in frontline services, enhancing security, and improving digital infrastructure. 

The 2024 Budget also highlights efforts to boost public revenue through enhanced ATO measures, projected to yield significant returns. 

Measures include extending the Personal Income Tax Compliance Program and bolstering the ATO Counter Fraud Strategy with new IT upgrades to identify and block suspicious transactions.