How the Census Benefits Defence

Workforce Planning

Defence cannot adopt a "total workforce approach" to workforce planning without the demographic profile of its people. In order to meet current and future capability requirements, it is essential for Defence to have an understanding of issues such as workforce streams/professions currently in Defence, education level and age profile of its employees, employee intention to remain in Defence, etc. for both the ADF and APS employees. Information obtained from Defence Censuses enables Defence to compare itself with the external environment to determine whether it is an employer of choice and to determine whether it has the human capability needed to meet its current and future capability requirements. The Defence Census provides Defence with the data it needs to gain a better understanding of its workforce and the policies required to retain and develop the people it needs.

Government Reporting

Government reporting on Defence workforce structure and future personnel requirements is increasing, as is reporting on wider APS workforce composition. PMKeyS partially fills this need, however not at the level or breadth required of contemporary reporting requirements. There is a Defence/national interest to having and reporting this information.

Ongoing Assessments and Discrete Research

Defence needs to continually review its placement of services and policy emphasis (e.g. quality of working life). As Censuses are conducted over time, Defence will have the ability to monitor workforce changes and modify personnel services and policies to meet changing needs.

Benchmarking Defence Demographics against the External Environment

Provisions such as education, childcare, housing and health services, along with access to community facilities and spouse employment are under the jurisdiction of various Government agencies. It is therefore important that Defence has up-to-date and authoritative information on its workforce when negotiating with various Government agencies and commercial providers. Regular Defence wide censuses ensure that the data remains contemporary.

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