Public service workforce shows signs of stabilising

Monday, 22 December 2025

Public service staffing is showing signs of stabilising, with new figures revealing the workforce grew 0.5% in the year to September, reaching 63,162 fulltime employees. That’s an increase of 342 workers and marks the first annual rise recorded since June 2024.

It’s a noticeable shift from the turbulence of a year earlier, when staffing fell 2.2% in the year to September 2024 — a drop of 1402 fulltime workers.

The latest quarterly data from the Public Service Commission also shows modest growth: a 0.8% lift, or 508 additional workers, between June and September 2025. Over the same period in 2024, the workforce shrank by 1.1%, with 717 roles lost.

Quarterly results can shift due to seasonal patterns and fixed‑term projects starting or ending.

Between June and September, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet recorded a 15% drop in staff, following a 22.8% annual decrease from June 2024 to June 2025.

The Social Investment Agency grew to 77 staff in September, adding 27 people since June. Meanwhile, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage saw a 14.8% decline over the same period, after a modest 2.7% annual drop to June 2025.

The workforce release also estimates the spend on contractors and consultants operating across the public service and Crown entities will be $1.19 billion for 2025/26 - below the Government’s $1.25b limit.

The spend for 2024/25 was $1.25b, while the three months to September 30 it was $296m.