Scale, time, complexity, wellbeing – the APS’s budget challenge

Even after learning multiple lessons, building new capabilities and realising a new level of professionalism through its pandemic response, this year’s budget may present the APS with several challenges, writes Helena Cain.

Many Australians are taking a ‘wifm’ (what’s in it for me) look at this year’s budget, happily noting personal income tax cuts, upgrades to local infrastructure, cash handouts and a suite of business tax-related benefits.

At the same time, I suspect that Australia’s public servants are using a different ‘w’ acronym this year as the government releases the ‘biggest budget since WWII’ – which means there’s going to be a lot of work to do.