Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment (OCPSE)

What Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment (OCPSE) does

The Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment (OCPSE) is a South Australian state government agency established under the Public Sector Act 2009, operating as an attached office to the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. It serves as the centralized regulatory and policy authority for the South Australian public sector workforce of over 100,000 employees across health, education, transport, community services, justice, and environmental agencies. OCPSE issues Commissioner Determinations, Premier's Directions, Guidelines, the Code of Ethics, Public Sector Values, and the Building Integrity framework, and operates the eThanks employee recognition platform, injury management services, and the Public Interest Disclosure scheme under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2018.

The agency's core service portfolio is delivered through the South Australian Leadership Academy (SALA), which provides structured leadership development programs ranging from foundational offerings such as Manager Essentials and HR Essentials through to senior executive programs including Next Execs, Executive Excellence, Executive Induction, and Leading Change, with pricing where disclosed ranging from A$1,450 + GST (Leading Performance Management) to A$14,900 + GST (Governor's Leadership Foundation). The underlying technology stack is a government digital service delivery platform for HR, employment, and leadership development services, hosted at publicsector.sa.gov.au. Strategic partnerships extend OCPSE's reach through the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG), the Institute of Public Administration Australia SA (IPAA SA), Jawun (since 2015), the Ulare Secondment Program with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, and the Leaders Institute of South Australia.

OCPSE does not operate a commercial revenue model. The entity is funded through state government appropriation, and most services are provided at no direct cost to public sector employees and agencies; scholarship-funded leadership programs are covered by OCPSE for selected recipients. The agency's go-to-market is purely internal to the SA government, distributed through its website, email channels, agency HR networks, and direct engagement with public sector employees across metropolitan, regional, and remote South Australia. Erma Ranieri serves as Commissioner for Public Sector Employment, leading a staff of 58 based at the State Administration Centre in Adelaide.

Name

Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment (OCPSE)

Legal name

Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment

Website

https://publicsector.sa.gov.au

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

OCPSE is a South Australian state government agency that sets HR policy, employment standards, and leadership development for the state's 100,000+ public sector workforce under the Public Sector Act 2009.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Sector Human Resources Services

NAICS

Administration of Human Resource Programs (923), Administration of Human Resource Programs (9231), Administration of Human Resource Programs (except Education, Public Health, and Veterans' Affairs Programs) (92313)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPACAJAF

HR Policy, Governance, Compliance & Risk Advisory

Business & Public Services/HR, Staffing & Recruitment Services/HR Consulting & Advisory (HR Strategy, Org Design, Change)

SECONDARYBPACAPAM

HR Compliance, Policy, EEO & Labor Law

Business & Public Services/HR, Staffing & Recruitment Services/Human Capital Management (HCM) & HR Tech

SECONDARYBPACAHAL

Onboarding, Offboarding & Employee Lifecycle Administration

Business & Public Services/HR, Staffing & Recruitment Services/Employer of Record (EOR) & Global Employment / PEO Services

SECONDARYEDABANAJ

DEI, Inclusive Leadership & Cultural Intelligence Coaching

Education/Corporate Training & Professional Development/Executive Coaching Services

Keywords

• Public sector employment
• Government HR policy
• Leadership development programs
• Workforce integrity frameworks
• Employee relations services

Headquarters

HQ city

Adelaide

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

OCPSE delivers HR policy, employment determinations, and leadership development services to more than 100,000 South Australian public sector employees across health, education, transport, community services, justice, and environmental agencies. Its core portfolio centers on the South Australian Leadership Academy (SALA) capabilities spanning foundational manager training through executive leadership, complemented by integrity frameworks such as the Code of Ethics, Public Sector Values, and Determinations and Guidelines, plus workplace safety, injury management, and inclusion programs. All services are provided at no cost to public sector employees and funded through state government appropriations.

Product overview

The Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment (OCPSE) is a South Australian government agency providing policy leadership, employment frameworks, and professional development services for the state's public sector workforce of over 100,000 employees. OCPSE operates as an attached office to the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and delivers its services through a portfolio of interconnected programs centered around the South Australian Leadership Academy (SALA), which offers structured leadership development from foundational (Manager Essentials) through executive levels (Executive Excellence, Governor's Leadership Foundation). The agency also administers special programs including Jawun and Ulare secondments for Aboriginal community partnerships, Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Scholarships, the eThanks recognition platform, and essential HR frameworks including the Code of Ethics, Public Sector Values, Determinations and Guidelines, and Building Integrity resources. Supporting services include injury management, domestic violence leave provisions, and public interest disclosure procedures. The portfolio is guided by the Leadership Excellence Framework addressing governance, leadership, and management functions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• South Australian Leadership Academy (SALA): Leadership development programs and initiatives for public sector employees

Products and services

• South Australian Leadership Academy (SALA) A dedicated leadership development division of OCPSE offering structured learning programs for South Australian public sector employees at all levels, from aspiring managers to senior executives.
• Manager Essentials Program Foundational leadership program for frontline managers in the South Australian public sector to strengthen core management and leadership skills.
• Next Execs Program Strategic leadership program for high-performing managers identified as ready to expand their influence and leadership impact across the South Australian public sector system.
• Executive Excellence Program Senior executive program designed to elevate leadership of high-performing teams and drive meaningful organizational results across the South Australian public sector.
• Executive Induction Tailored onboarding program providing essential tools and insights for newly appointed executives in the South Australian Public Sector.
• Leading Change Program Program for South Australian public sector professionals responsible for leading change initiatives within their teams or agencies.
• Leading Performance Management Program Practical development experience for South Australian public sector leaders to build relationships, enable growth, and create conditions for sustained high performance through coaching, feedback, and ongoing performance conversations.
• HR Essentials Program Program to build essential HR knowledge and practical skills for managing people effectively in the South Australian public sector.
• Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Scholarships Scholarship program supporting career progression of South Australian public sector leaders from diverse backgrounds including autistic, neurodivergent, LGBTIQA+, women, people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse, and youth/mature aged workers.
• Governor's Leadership Foundation (GLF) Ten-month exclusive leadership program for established South Australian leaders featuring seminars, field trips, retreats, guest speakers, and coaching, with two full scholarships offered annually by OCPSE.
• Jawun Secondments Six-week live-in professional and cultural development program placing South Australian public sector employees in Aboriginal communities across three regions (Lower River Murray, Far West Coast, Central Australia/APY Lands) to support community priorities.
• Ulare Secondments Secondment program connecting South Australian Government agencies with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) through project-based placements supporting reciprocal learning and Closing the Gap priorities.
• eThanks Employee recognition platform enabling South Australian public sector workers to acknowledge and appreciate colleagues' contributions.
• Code of Ethics for the South Australian Public Sector Foundational conduct standards issued under the Public Sector Act 2009 establishing professional expectations for all South Australian public sector employees.
• Public Sector Values Core values framework including Service, Professionalism, Trust, Respect, Collaboration and Engagement, Honesty and Integrity, Courage and Tenacity, and Sustainability guiding public sector conduct in South Australia.
• Building Integrity Integrity framework supporting a culture of integrity across the South Australian public sector through clear policies, systems, and resources for responsible use of authority and transparent decision-making.
• Determinations and Guidelines Commissioner-issued determinations and guidelines governing employment conditions, hours of work, overtime, leave, and other South Australian public sector employment matters.
• Injury Management Services Support services for South Australian public sector work-related injuries including case management, return-to-work programs, and mental health support resources.
• Domestic and Family Violence Support Support services providing 15 days special leave with pay and workplace safety measures for South Australian public sector employees experiencing domestic and family violence.
• Public Interest Disclosure Procedures Procedures for making and managing appropriate disclosures of public administration information under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2018 in the South Australian public sector.
• Induction to the South Australian Public Sector Self-paced online induction program for new South Australian public sector employees covering public sector purpose, values, ethics, health and safety, and diversity.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• JawuncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Since 2015, OCPSE has partnered with not-for-profit organisation Jawun to place skilled public sector professionals on career-defining secondments. Jawun secondments offer six-week, live-in professional and cultural development experiences in Aboriginal communities, supporting long-term community goals and cultural learning.
• IPAA SA (Institute of Public Administration Australia South Australia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIPAA SA supports the efforts of public sector employees through events, professional development courses, and networking opportunities. OCPSE partners with IPAA SA to provide training venues and collaborative learning experiences for leadership development programs.
• ANZSOG (Australia and New Zealand School of Government)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOCPSE partners with ANZSOG to provide South Australian public sector employees access to high-quality learning opportunities, thought leadership, and professional networks that strengthen capability across government. ANZSOG programs help public sector professionals build knowledge, skills and perspectives needed to lead in complex environments.
• Ulare (Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ulare Secondment Program connects South Australian Government agencies with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations through structured, project-based secondments. Ulare is an Arrernte word meaning 'for a reason' and supports reciprocal learning, stronger cross-sector relationships, and practical outcomes aligned to Closing the Gap priorities.
• Leaders Institute of South AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOCPSE supports the Governor's Leadership Foundation program by offering two full scholarships each year. The Leaders Institute of South Australia manages both the scholarship application process and program delivery for the ten-month leadership experience valued at $14,900 + GST.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Australian Public Service Commission: Federal-level central agency responsible for APS-wide HR policy, leadership development, and workforce capability. Operates at a broader national scale than OCPSE but performs the same core function of public sector HR governance.

Direct peers

• Tasmanian State Service: Coordinates public sector employment, HR policy, and workforce development for the Tasmanian State Service. Functionally analogous to OCPSE at a smaller scale.
• Queensland Public Service Commission: Statutory commission responsible for public sector employment, HR policy, and leadership development for the Queensland Government. Highly comparable to OCPSE as a state-level regulator and capability builder for the public sector workforce.
• NSW Public Service Commission: Statutory commission overseeing HR management, workforce strategy, and leadership development for the New South Wales public sector. Closest functional counterpart to OCPSE in terms of scale and mandate.
• Western Australia Public Sector Commission: Statutory body responsible for public sector workforce policy, integrity, and capability development in Western Australia. A direct jurisdictional peer to OCPSE in mandate and structure.
• Victorian Public Sector Commission: Independent statutory body supporting public sector employment standards, integrity, and leadership across the Victorian Government. Operates an analogous workforce policy and leadership development remit to OCPSE.
• ACT Public Service Commission: Provides HR policy, workforce strategy, and leadership development for the ACT Government. Comparable state/territory-level public sector HR authority to OCPSE.

Regional players

• Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission (New Zealand): New Zealand's central public service agency setting workforce, leadership, and integrity standards across the NZ public service. Regional peer operating under a similar statutory mandate to OCPSE.

Others

• IPAA (Institute of Public Administration Australia): National professional body delivering training, events, and development for public sector employees. OCPSE partners with IPAA SA, and IPAA's professional development offerings overlap with SALA's leadership training portfolio.
• ANZSOG (Australia and New Zealand School of Government): Public sector-focused education provider delivering executive education and thought leadership. OCPSE partners with ANZSOG to deliver leadership programs, making it a closely aligned provider of comparable services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/office-of-the-commissioner-for-public-sector-employment

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment (OCPSE)