Public sector values 2023

About the public sector values

The 7 core public sector values guide the ethics and behaviour of everyone who works in the public sector.

There’s a strong link between workplace culture and how staff perceive their organisation lives the public sector values.

Read more about the values in the code of conduct.

Key facts

The key facts are for the Victorian public sector.

Improvements in positive views

Positive views of:

• human rights rose to 81% from 79% in 2021
• integrity rose to 73% from 71% in 2021
• respect rose to 80% from 79% in 2021.

Positive views that have stayed the same

Positive views of:

• responsiveness was 81% in 2023 and 2021
• impartiality was 75% in 2023 and 2021
• leadership was 73% in 2023 and 2021.

Positive views that have changed

Positive views of accountability fell slightly to 75% from 76% in 2022.

---

Responsiveness

A commitment to responsiveness can help build trust and lead to better outcomes.

Year 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2017 Filter by industry Whole of public sector Public entities Victorian Public Service Creative industries, finance, transport and other Police and emergency services Public health care TAFE and other education Water and land management Government schools Filter by demographic Overall Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Age Full-time or part-time Ongoing, fixed-term or casual Ongoing or fixed-term Cultural identity Disability Gender Gender identity Religion Headcount Full-time equivalent Employers Percentage of all employees by headcount Percentage of all full-time equivalent employees Remuneration Remuneration gap as an amount Remuneration gap as a percentage View as a number or percentage Percentage Number Salary Percentage of industry Percentage of total public sector workforce

 

---

Integrity

We define integrity as:

• being fair, honest and transparent
• conducting ourselves properly
• using public sector powers responsibly.

The Victorian community needs high trust in how everyone in the public sector works and what they do.

Year 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2017 Filter by industry Whole of public sector Public entities Victorian Public Service Creative industries, finance, transport and other Police and emergency services Public health care TAFE and other education Water and land management Government schools Filter by demographic Overall Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Age Full-time or part-time Ongoing, fixed-term or casual Ongoing or fixed-term Cultural identity Disability Gender Gender identity Religion Headcount Full-time equivalent Employers Percentage of all employees by headcount Percentage of all full-time equivalent employees Remuneration Remuneration gap as an amount Remuneration gap as a percentage View as a number or percentage Percentage Number Salary Percentage of industry Percentage of total public sector workforce

 

---

Impartiality

We define impartiality as making objective and fair decisions:

• based on merit
• without bias, favouritism or self-interest.

Year 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2017 Filter by industry Whole of public sector Public entities Victorian Public Service Creative industries, finance, transport and other Police and emergency services Public health care TAFE and other education Water and land management Government schools Filter by demographic Overall Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Age Full-time or part-time Ongoing, fixed-term or casual Ongoing or fixed-term Cultural identity Disability Gender Gender identity Religion Headcount Full-time equivalent Employers Percentage of all employees by headcount Percentage of all full-time equivalent employees Remuneration Remuneration gap as an amount Remuneration gap as a percentage View as a number or percentage Percentage Number Salary Percentage of industry Percentage of total public sector workforce

 

---

Accountability

Employees and workgroups show accountability when they:

• work to clear objectives
• are accountable for what they do and the resources they have.

Year 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2017 Filter by industry Whole of public sector Public entities Victorian Public Service Creative industries, finance, transport and other Police and emergency services Public health care TAFE and other education Water and land management Government schools Filter by demographic Overall Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Age Full-time or part-time Ongoing, fixed-term or casual Ongoing or fixed-term Cultural identity Disability Gender Gender identity Religion Headcount Full-time equivalent Employers Percentage of all employees by headcount Percentage of all full-time equivalent employees Remuneration Remuneration gap as an amount Remuneration gap as a percentage View as a number or percentage Percentage Number Salary Percentage of industry Percentage of total public sector workforce

 

---

Respect

Employees, managers and workgroups show respect for their colleagues, other public officials and members of the community by:

• treating them fairly and objectively
• ensuring freedom from discrimination, harassment and bullying
• using their views to improve outcomes on an ongoing basis.

Year 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2017 Filter by industry Whole of public sector Public entities Victorian Public Service Creative industries, finance, transport and other Police and emergency services Public health care TAFE and other education Water and land management Government schools Filter by demographic Overall Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Age Full-time or part-time Ongoing, fixed-term or casual Ongoing or fixed-term Cultural identity Disability Gender Gender identity Religion Headcount Full-time equivalent Employers Percentage of all employees by headcount Percentage of all full-time equivalent employees Remuneration Remuneration gap as an amount Remuneration gap as a percentage View as a number or percentage Percentage Number Salary Percentage of industry Percentage of total public sector workforce

 

---

Leadership

Leading by example is important to developing a positive workplace culture and helps build trust with the Victorian community.

Year 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2017 Filter by industry Whole of public sector Public entities Victorian Public Service Creative industries, finance, transport and other Police and emergency services Public health care TAFE and other education Water and land management Government schools Filter by demographic Overall Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Age Full-time or part-time Ongoing, fixed-term or casual Ongoing or fixed-term Cultural identity Disability Gender Gender identity Religion Headcount Full-time equivalent Employers Percentage of all employees by headcount Percentage of all full-time equivalent employees Remuneration Remuneration gap as an amount Remuneration gap as a percentage View as a number or percentage Percentage Number Salary Percentage of industry Percentage of total public sector workforce

 

---

Human rights

Under the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, organisations must consider human rights in how they work and act.

Year 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2017 Filter by industry Whole of public sector Public entities Victorian Public Service Creative industries, finance, transport and other Police and emergency services Public health care TAFE and other education Water and land management Government schools Filter by demographic Overall Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Age Full-time or part-time Ongoing, fixed-term or casual Ongoing or fixed-term Cultural identity Disability Gender Gender identity Religion Headcount Full-time equivalent Employers Percentage of all employees by headcount Percentage of all full-time equivalent employees Remuneration Remuneration gap as an amount Remuneration gap as a percentage View as a number or percentage Percentage Number Salary Percentage of industry Percentage of total public sector workforce

 

---

Data sets and how we prepare data

• Workforce data sets
• How we prepare our data