This study aims to determine and analyze the effect of high-performance work systems on the work ability and performance of civil servants of the Kendari City government. The population in this study is all Civil Servants within the scope of the Kendari City Government Office and Agency totaling 329 people using the Proportionate Stratified Random Sampling technique. The research variable data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with the AMOS program. The results showed that: (1) The high-performance work system has a positive and significant effect on work ability (2) The high-performance work system has a positive and significant effect on employee performance; (3) work ability affects employee performance, and (4) high-performance work system affects employee performance mediated by work ability. This finding has a meaning, that abilities such as work ability, education, length of service and skills and knowledge are variables that are able to mediate and provide strengthening of the relationship between high-performance work systems and employee performance.