On this page:
The Capability Review Program is part of the Government’s enduring plan for APS Reform. The program aims to:
- embed a culture of continuous improvement across the APS
- ensure agencies can deliver government priorities and outcomes for Australians.
The Public Service Act 1999 requires all departments of state, Services Australia, the Australian Taxation Office and Australian Public Service Commission to participate in a review every 5 years and that the review report is tabled in the Australian Parliament.
Capability reviews are independent, forward-looking and assess an agency's ability to meet future objectives and challenges. They aim to facilitate discussions around an organisation’s desired future state, highlight strengths and organisational capability gaps and identify opportunities to act on them.
The Department of Education’s Capability Review was led by a Senior Review team, comprising independent reviewers Rachel Hunter AO PSM and Mike Mrdak AO; and APS reviewers Kevin Brahim, Deputy CEO, National Indigenous Australians Agency and Samantha Palmer, Interim Commonwealth Aviation Industry Ombudsperson, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. Staff from the Australian Public Service Commission supported the senior reviewers with their work.
The Australian Public Service Commissioner endorsed the Department of Education Capability Review Final Report on 27 June 2025.
In response to the Final Report, the Department of Education has developed the Capability Review Action Plan, September 2025, outlining how the department will lift its capability over the coming years.