Public Service Leave Reaches Highest Level in a Decade
Australian public servants are taking more time off than at any point in the past ten years, according to the latest official data. A clear divide has emerged between frontline staff and their policy-focused counterparts, with operational agencies recording significantly higher absence rates.
Record Leave Figures Across the Service
The 2025 State of the Service report, released by the Australian Public Service Commission, reveals that the average public service employee took 13.8 days of personal and miscellaneous leave during the 2024-25 financial year. This marks an increase from the 13.1 days recorded in the previous year and represents the highest rate of unscheduled absence since the 2015-16 period.
Smaller agencies experienced the most substantial jump, with leave days rising from 11.1 in 2023-24 to 12.4 in 2024-25, an increase of 1.3 days. Medium and large agencies also saw rises, with respective increases of 0.9 days and 0.6 days.
Frontline Agencies Dominate High Leave Rates
Services Australia, the largest federal agency with over 35,000 staff, recorded the highest total personal and miscellaneous leave rates among larger operational agencies. Staff at Services Australia took an average of 14.4 days of sick leave, placing them second highest among all agencies for sick days, though this represented a slight drop from their previous ranking.
A spokesperson for Services Australia acknowledged the challenging nature of the work performed by staff, who support people during difficult times. The spokesperson emphasised that employees are encouraged to access their entitlements to manage mental wellbeing effectively.
Other frontline and delivery-focused agencies also reported elevated leave figures. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) recorded a total personal and miscellaneous leave rate of 16.7 days, while Home Affairs sat at 15.2 days. An NDIA spokesperson highlighted that staff safety and wellbeing remain paramount, with the latest enterprise agreement offering specific leave provisions, including 10 days of miscellaneous leave for APS employees with disabilities.
Policy Agencies Show Lower Absence Rates
In contrast, policy-focused agencies demonstrated lower unscheduled absence days. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet recorded a total rate of 10.7 days, while Treasury reported 12.5 days. This disparity paints a two-speed picture of the public service, where frontline roles experience higher stress and leave usage compared to administrative positions.
Significant Increases and Decreases Across Departments
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) saw the largest increase in leave, with staff taking an average of three more days of unscheduled leave in 2024-25 compared to the previous year. A DEWR spokesperson stated that the department manages leave on a case-by-case basis in line with its enterprise agreement, while remaining committed to a productive workplace.
Other departments also recorded notable rises:
- The Department of Finance experienced an increase of 2.6 days.
- The Department of Science and Industrial Relations saw a rise of 2.3 days.
Conversely, the Department of Veterans' Affairs recorded the largest drop, with staff taking approximately two fewer days of leave.
Factors Contributing to the Rise
Recent APS-wide bargaining has expanded the scope of miscellaneous leave to include cultural and emergency leave, which may have contributed to the overall increase in total figures. This change reflects a growing recognition of the diverse needs of public service employees and the importance of supporting their wellbeing in a demanding work environment.
The data underscores the ongoing challenges faced by frontline public servants, particularly in high-pressure roles, while highlighting the need for continued focus on workforce support and mental health initiatives across the Australian Public Service.
