2024 Census highlights
For the 2024 Census, 38 out of 39 staff (97%) participated.
The key indices* of the report are:
|
|
2024 score | Variance from 2023 | Variance from APS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employee engagement | 80 | +6 | +7 |
| Immediate supervisor | 74 | -3 | -3 |
| SES manager | 77 | +5 | +8 |
| Communication | 68 | +4 | -1 |
| Wellbeing policies and support | 77 | +2 | +7 |
| Enabling innovation | 73 | - | +9 |
For further insights, download the 2024 PBO Census highlights report [PDF 1.1 MB].
The PBO's Staff Consultative Forum has developed an action plan to respond to feedback from the 2024 Census, view our 2024 Census Action plan [PDF 175 KB]
* The index scores represent % of positive responses and the change in percentage points from the prior year or APS wide score.
2023 Census highlights
For the 2023 Census, 34 out of 39 staff (87%) participated.
In summary, the PBO results show that we continue to perform better than the APS across the majority of key indicators, although we have dropped from our very strong 2022 results. The key indices* of the report are:
|
|
2023 score | Variance from 2022 | Variance from APS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employee engagement | 74 | -9 | +2 |
| Immediate supervisor | 78 | -2 | +2 |
| SES manager | 72 | -12 | +4 |
| Communication | 65 | -12 | -4 |
| Wellbeing policies and support | 75 | -9 | +6 |
| Enabling innovation | 73 | -2 | +9 |
The Census provides some key demographic insights which highlight how diverse and inclusive the PBO is – over a third of PBO staff have identified as having carer responsibilities, around a quarter are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and around two thirds of PBO staff are women.
For further insights, download the 2023 PBO Highlights Report [PDF 943 KB].
The PBO's Staff Consultative Forum has developed an action plan to respond to feedback from the 2023 Census, view our 2023 Census Action plan [PDF 152 KB].
* The index scores represent % of positive responses and the change in percentage points from the prior year or APS wide score.
2022 Census highlights
In summary, the PBO results are generally positive and ranked highly compared to the APS overall. This is the second year the PBO has participated in the census. The key indices of the report showed improvement in all but one area:
- Employee engagement – score of 83 (+3)
- Immediate supervisor – score of 80 (+2)
- SES manager – score of 84 (+8)
- Communication – score of 74 (+2)
- Wellbeing policies and support – score of 84 (+3)
- Enabling innovation – score of 76 (=)
The PBO’s Staff Consultative Group will consider areas for improvement such as further enhancements to communication within the PBO and embedding improved change management activities.
For further insights, download the PBO highlights report [PDF 1.0 MB]
2021 Census highlights
In 2021, the PBO participated in the APS Employee Census survey for the first time. The PBO had high levels of engagement, with a 98% response rate. The PBO plans on ongoing participation in the Census to continuously track results over time.
In summary, the PBO results are generally positive and ranked highly compared to the APS overall. A few highlights of the report include:
- Employee engagement - Ranked 7th of 101 responding agencies
- Wellbeing policies and support - Ranked 6th of 101 responding agencies
- Enabling innovation - Ranked 3rd of 101 responding agencies
The results also showed strong results in areas such as inclusion, with the percentage of positive responses above 90%.
A staff-led survey working group has been convened to work through actions going forward from the census. Areas for improvement are likely to include enhancements to communication and change management within the PBO.
For further insights, download the PBO highlights report [PDF 1.0 MB]
More information
For more information, an explanatory guide and technical details about the employee Census, visit the Australian Public Service Commission’s Census page.