The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations enables access to quality skills, training, and employment to support Australians to find secure work in fair, productive and safe workplaces – supporting individuals and our nation to prosper.
On this page:
A strong labour market creates secure jobs, vital for our nation to prosper—driving future economic growth and providing people with the certainty to achieve their life goals.
We focus on equipping Australians who are starting, advancing or changing their career with the relevant skills, knowledge and experience to gain or regain employment to achieve their aspirations in life. This work includes filling skills gaps fundamental to Australia’s economic growth.
We support a world leading vocational education and training sector offering apprenticeships, cadetships, and traineeships to connect people to alternative pathways to employment. This work leads to local, stable, and secure employment, strengthened by work health and safety, and a safety net and conditions that help to define workplace rights and responsibilities that both employers and employees can have confidence in.
Strategic priorities include:
- Foster a productive and competitive labour market through policies and programs that assist job seekers into work, including secure work, to meet employer and industry needs.
- Promote growth in economic productivity and social wellbeing through access to quality skills and training.
- Facilitate job growth, including secure work, through policies and programs that promote fair, productive and safe workplaces.
Our 2023 APS Employee Census results demonstrate our commitment to setting the standard as a fair, safe and productive workplace and fostering a culture of respect, integrity, curiosity, openness and inclusion.
The department’s terms and conditions of employment are provided by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027.
Employee Value Proposition
We aspire to be a model employer. We offer successful candidates attractive salaries and superannuation, flexible working arrangements, generous leave entitlements and a closedown period over Christmas.
Our employees also benefit from being part of the broader Australian Public Service (APS) - a community of strong, passionate and proud professionals driving outcomes for the benefit of the Australian community. A career in the APS offers you purpose and meaning, opportunities to learn and grow, a sense of community and belonging, flexibility and balance and great conditions.
For more information on what a career in the APS looks like, watch the APS EVP video below or visit the APS Jobs Work With us webpage.