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Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C)

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4.2
  • 1,000 - 50,000 employees

Culture at Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C)

8.1
8.1 rating for Culture, based on 39 reviews
Please describe your company's culture both in the office and after hours. Let us know about the structure and hierarchy, cooperation and teamwork, and socialising amongst colleagues.
Fantastic culture, very supportive
Graduate, Canberra - 12 Sep 2024
PM&C has an excellent culture which filters from senior leadership all the way to lower APS classifications. PM&C is a small Department and we have the privilege of all in close proximity in Barton so the workplace has a familial feel to it. The requirement for constant internal consultation at PM&C across subject matter areas helps everyone to quickly develop strong working relationships with each other, which serves to improve output across the Department and makes everyone proud to be at PM&C. Workplace conflicts or inappropriate behaviour is extremely rare and often addressed swiftly in accordance with established processes.
Graduate, Canberra - 24 Aug 2024
There is a structured hierarchy in the Department. It's nothing to be worried about, as people here are supportive of each other, and some teams work to a pretty flat structure in practice. Your teammates and supervisors are normally happy to help with anything. Generally, there is good sense of teamwork and cooperation throughout the Department - we're all working to get the best outcome. There are plenty of social events, networks to get involved with, and events held with external organisations and neighbouring departments, so you can meet people outside of the department with ease. Teams will sometimes have social events outside of work hours. You could also get involved in social sport, book clubs, choirs, etc. Staff at PM&C tend to be outgoing and happy to meet new people. Most people are willing to meet for a coffee and a chat!
Graduate, Canberra - 09 Nov 2023
Mostly younger workforce of individuals under 40/30 - many people are friends with their co-workers and socialise in their free-time, have lunch or coffee together (also great exchange with non-immediate co-workers from other areas of the department) - culture strongly depends on work area: Level 2 (International, National Security) are much more strict and hierarchical, corporate dress code, less individuality, no smartwatches/phones during in work area, traditional seating in smaller pods, directors and above in own office, no working from home arrangements, expectation of long hours every day, still great camaraderie/cooperation and teamwork between colleagues who all feel (special?) like they work towards a greater good, high/constant engagement with Prime Minister and PMO (much more than in any other field of work in PM&C) - other areas (in less secure zones) have hot-desking arrangements (no own seat) with directors and Assistant Secretaries on the floor with workers, people have no issues occupying the same chair if they wanted as lots of WFH arrangements and seating areas are never fully utilised, great culture, more relaxed, less uptight, hardly any corporate dress code, easier movement and more open, relaxed seating arrangements, less hierarchical
Graduate, Canberra - 09 Nov 2023
Flexible in most areas Positive and kind feedback Close contact with SES
Graduate, Canberra - 08 Nov 2023
I think the culture varies significantly between different branches. However, I've been very satisfied. My team recognises that there will be a need to work late at times, but has been very supportive of me taking time off/using flex time to compensate. Socialising between team members has been great and management have actively encouraged it and gotten involved in social events.
Graduate, Canberra - 08 Nov 2023
PM&C has a very flat hierarchy. Often our senior officers will sit at desks on the floor with us instead of in offices and as a junior in the organisation I have a significant amount of face time with my seniors. The organisation is extremely social and organise events at team, branch and division levels.
Graduate, Canberra - 02 Nov 2023
In my Division, the culture is amazing. There is constant support and my First Assistant Secretary has set the standard. The Department as a whole is not great. The I&D team has provided no support to staff. This includes not supporting First Nations staff in the lead up to and following the recent referendum. There has also not been any support provide to staff affected by the current Hamas and Israel war.
Midlevel, Canberra - 02 Nov 2023
The culture is dependent on the leadership within Divisions. I have had very different experiences within my rotations. Overall, it has been a positive experience in terms of team culture, but I have experienced poor and inappropriate leadership. Having Networks at the Department does influence good relationship building in terms of support but at the end of the day it all comes back to individual behaviours and what is prioritised by the Department. I would say if you are not Anglo Saxton, your experience of the Department would be extremely different.
Graduate, Canberra - 02 Nov 2023
Very flat structure compared to many agencies or workplaces. The areas I work in are friendly and supportive. There is socialisation amongst colleagues, including with interest groups.
Midlevel, Canberra - 11 Oct 2015
Culture across the organisation is quite divided, the organisation is separated into 5 divisions and has two national offices and a number of regional offices. The hierarchy can be quite top down depending on the division and team. My particular team has a positive, supportive culture but this is not universally the case.
Entry level, Canberra - 11 Oct 2015
People make friends with their colleagues here. It's a good place to make connections. It's a very hierarchical organisation but people are team players and work well together. My colleagues are highly professional and capable people that I get to learn from.
Entry level, Canberra - 11 Oct 2015
Colleagues socialise together but they can be quite 'clicky' and it can be hard to be accepted into the group. In the larger office inter-office gossip was a problem. It is hard to get promoted as the higher echelon does not move on or retire.
Entry level, Toowoomba - 11 Oct 2015
Hierarchies are sometimes obstructive and unnecessary. They cause people at junior levels to avoid making decisions. Teamwork and cooperation is good in my immediate team, but it does not permeate throughout the organisation. Socialising is likewise better in small teams than in the whole organisation.
Entry level, Canberra - 11 Mar 2015
Hierarchy is too embedded and relied upon as a structure for work allocation. There should be a more flexible approach to allocation of work — who is the best fit, has the most capacity and is able to complete the work. There is strong cooperation and teamwork amongst colleagues.
Entry level, Canberra - 11 Mar 2015
Very supportive work place, good colleagues, effective senior leadership.
Entry level, Canberra - 11 Mar 2015
The work culture is fantastic and supportive. My values of a sense of contribution, respecting other people’s views no matter which walk of life you come from, are all incredibly important values to me.
Graduate, Canberra - 11 Mar 2015
Some managers are amazing and want to build their staff up. Overall, it can be insular and perhaps not recruit that diversely.
Midlevel, Canberra - 11 Mar 2015
Close, friendly and supportive. I often meet up with colleagues after hours. Parts of PM&C are quite hierarchical, but there’s plenty of cooperation and teamwork across all levels.
Graduate, Canberra - 11 Feb 2015
Most people are passionate about their work but don’t live and breathe it outside of work hours. Socialising among colleagues depends on divisions but is pretty good.
Graduate, Canberra - 11 Feb 2015