Building AI Capability Across the Australian Public Service

The APS is entering a new era of capability uplift.
With the APS AI Plan setting clear expectations for foundational learning, responsible use, leadership capability, and strategic adoption, agencies now need practical, human-centred pathways to help their people learn, adapt and lead with confidence.

RockMouse’s APS Learning Labs Suite provides a complete capability ecosystem, from early AI users to senior leaders and executives, built specifically for the realities and responsibilities of government.

Every workshop is grounded in:
✔ APS values and ethics
✔ Responsible and safe AI use
✔ Practical workflows and real scenarios
✔ Human-centred learning
✔ Adaptive, psychologically safe design
✔ Alignment with GovAI and APS capability expectations.

This is AI capability uplift, done the APS way.

Why the APS Chooses RockMouse

• We specialise in AI education, adoption, and capability development for complex organisations.
• We translate technical concepts into plain language, practical skills and real-world application.
• Our approach is built on trust, clarity and confidence; essential for public service adoption.
• Our suite aligns with the APS AI Plan’s core pillars: Trust, People, and Tools.
• We help teams reduce fear, increase capability and move from “exploring AI” to leading with AI.

The APS Learning Labs Capability Suite

A complete capability uplift pathway for APS staff, managers, leaders and executives

(From APS 3 → SES Band 1)

This suite is intentionally sequenced. Agencies can offer individual Labs or deploy the full pathway.

FOUNDATION & EARLY ADOPTION (APS 3–6)

SPARK — Task Automation with AI

1 hour | APS 3–5
The fastest way for APS staff to start using AI for real work.
Participants learn repeatable prompt patterns and apply AI to everyday tasks like meeting notes, summaries, actions and reporting.
Outcome: A ready-to-use automation workflow that improves clarity, consistency and productivity.

EXPLORERS — Process Redesign with AI

1.5 hours | APS 5–6
For teams ready to move beyond tasks and into workflow improvement.
Participants learn to map workflows using AI, identify bottlenecks and redesign processes for efficiency and clarity.
Outcome: A future-state workflow ready for testing inside the team.

LEADERSHIP FOUNDATIONS (APS 6–EL1)

DECODE — AI Insights for APS Managers

Half day | APS 6–EL1
A plain-language, hype-free foundational Lab for team leaders and managers.
Participants learn what AI is, how it works, where it creates value and how to distinguish genuine opportunities from noise.
Outcome: A practical, confident understanding of how AI impacts APS work.

IGNITE — Strategic AI Activation for Senior Leaders

Full day | EL1–EL2
A hands-on strategy Lab for leaders moving beyond awareness into structured action.
Participants learn practical frameworks (Pretotyping, 20% Time, Tackle the Monkey First) and map safe, high-value use cases.
Outcome: A 90-day AI action plan aligned to agency priorities.

ELEVATE — AI Leadership in Action

Full day | APS 6–EL1
A leadership Lab focused on communication, confidence and cultural readiness.
Participants craft their AI leadership stance, select high-value opportunities and build strategies to overcome resistance and drive adoption.
Outcome: A clear AI leadership story and a 90-day roadmap to lead with clarity.

STRATEGY, DESIGN & EXECUTIVE CAPABILITY (EL2–SES Band 1)

MOMENTUM — AI Strategy Sprint

2 days | APS 6–SES Band 1 (cross-functional)
A high-impact two-day sprint for agencies ready to move from idea to implementation.
Teams identify opportunities, validate assumptions, design experiments and co-create an actionable AI roadmap.
Outcome: A prioritised AI roadmap and validated use-case plans.

PIONEER — Executive AI Leadership Program

8 weeks | EL2–SES Band 1
An immersive, high-touch program for senior leaders responsible for AI stewardship and transformation.
Includes coaching, peer learning, real-world prototyping and strategic planning.
Outcome: A fully developed executive-level AI strategy, leadership stance and implementation plan.

How Agencies Use the APS Learning Labs Suite

Agencies use these Labs to:

• Prepare teams for GovAI adoption
• Lift foundational capability ahead of the APS mandatory training requirements
• Build confidence and reduce fear
• Develop internal champions and AI advocates
• Create AI roadmaps and validated use-case libraries
• Support change and cultural readiness
• Strengthen AI governance and responsible-use practices
• Enable leaders to communicate clearly and consistently about AI

Programs can be delivered:

• In-person
• Online
• As agency-specific cohorts
• As part of broader uplift programs
• Integrated with existing APS learning pathways

Why This Suite Works for Government

• Designed with APS roles, levels and responsibilities in mind
• Anchored in responsible use, privacy, ethics and governance
• Highly practical: people leave with actions, not theory
• Built for diverse teams, from frontline to executive
• Focused on real work, real workflows and real decision-making
• Uses human-centred methods to build trust and confidence
• Flexible enough to align with agency-specific contexts

Ready to Build AI Capability in Your Agency?

Let’s design the right pathway for your teams.

Contact RockMouse
to map your APS AI capability uplift journey and schedule your first Learning Lab.