Australia’s public servants are proud of their purpose but trust and progress are under real pressure. Our new report Broken Trust: Inside the Public Sector’s Crisis of Confidence uncovers how leadership, culture and capability are shifting across government, and what employees need most to stay confident, supported and effective.
Drawing on insights from more than 1,000 public servants, the report reveals growing strain across leadership, wellbeing and politicisation pressures that are reshaping how the workforce thinks about career growth, culture and the future of the sector.
Inside the report you’ll discover:
1. Trust is cracking and leadership sits at the centre
Confidence in senior leadership is weakening, and employees are calling for clearer priorities, stronger communication and more consistency in how decisions are made.
2. Flexibility is expected and autonomy is the new currency
Hybrid work is the norm, but it’s control over when and how work gets done that now drives satisfaction, fairness and retention.
3. Skills and AI will decide who’s future-ready
Workers are prioritising leadership, data and AI capability, and momentum is building around AI as a productivity unlock, but confident, supported adoption will determine its real impact.
This report gives government employers a clear, honest snapshot of where confidence is faltering and the practical actions needed to rebuild trust, strengthen culture and support a workforce ready for rapid change.
To find out more, dive into the report and see what actions matter most.