Aqua employs an occupationally and geographically diverse workforce. It is a large and significant employer in Australia and recognises the importance of good workforce planning and proper handling of staffing reductions.

It is vital to our ongoing capability that we retain in employment experienced Aqua employees and employees with critical specialist skills. In particular it is important that the Aqua manage any staff reductions with a view to current and future needs including:

• preserving corporate knowledge
• maintaining core workforce skills, for now and in the future
• maintaining appropriate diversity profiles and
• supporting succession planning capability in the longer-term

Redeployment is the joint responsibility of the agency and employee.

• Excess employees need to actively pursue alternative employment opportunities to maximise the prospect of successful redeployment.
• Agency heads need to provide timely, accurate information to employees which is consistent with their obligations and subordinate legislation (particularly the Value on consultation) and enterprise agreement (eg any general consultation requirements on major change or excess staffing situations).