Source: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2011C00638
Timestamp: 2020-02-20 08:56:26
Document Index: 552051257

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 6', 'art 7', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 5', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 5', 'art 4', 'art 8']

Details: F2011C00638
- F2011C00638
SR 1999 No. 300 Regulations as amended, taking into account amendments up to Public Service Amendment Regulations 2011 (No. 1)
Public Service Amendment Regulations 2011 (No. 1) - F2011L01594
Registered 04 Aug 2011
Start Date 04 Aug 2011
F2011C00638
1.3 Definitions — the dictionary
Part 2 The Australian Public Service
Part 3 APS employees
Part 4 Independent Selection Advisory Committees
Part 5 Review of actions
Part 6 The Public Service Commissioner
Part 7 The Merit Protection Commissioner
Part 8 Administrative arrangements and re-organisations
Part 8A Attachment of salaries to satisfy judgment debts
Statutory Rules 1999 No. 300 as amended
This compilation was prepared on 4 August 2011
taking into account amendments up to SLI 2011 No. 141
1.1 Name of Regulations [see Note 1] 7
1.2 Commencement [see Note 1] 7
1.3 Definitions — the dictionary 7
Division 2.1 The Code of Conduct
2.1 Duty not to disclose information (Act s 13) 8
2.2 Statutory office holders bound by the Code of Conduct (Act s 14) 9
2.3 Limitation on sanctions for breaches of Code of Conduct (Act s 15) 10
Division 2.2 Whistleblowers reports
2.4 Procedures for dealing with whistleblowers reports (Act s 16) 10
2.5 Commissioner’s functions relating to whistleblowers reports (Act s 41) 11
2.6 Merit Protection Commissioner’s functions relating to whistleblowers reports (Act s 50) 12
2.7 Other functions relating to whistleblowers reports 12
Division 3.1 Employer powers etc of Agency Heads
3.1 Condition of engagement — health clearance (Act s 20) 14
3.2 Direction to attend medical examination (Act s 20) 14
3.3 Approval of schemes for non‑ongoing APS employees to gain skills and experience (Act s 20) 15
3.4 Engagement of SES employees (Act s 22) 16
3.5 Engagement of non‑SES employees (Act s 22) 16
3.6 Extension of specified terms of engagement of certain non‑SES employees (Act s 22) 19
3.8 Promotion of ongoing APS employees — date of effect 20
3.8A Engagement of ongoing Parliamentary Service employee at higher classification — date of effect 23
3.9 Ongoing moves between Agencies (Act s 26) 25
3.9A Other moves between Agencies (Act s 26) 26
3.9B Variation of period of agreement 27
3.10 Suspension from duties (Act s 28) 27
3.11 Termination of employment of non‑ongoing APS employees (Act s 29) 28
3.12 Notification in electronic APS Employment Gazette of certain employment decisions 29
3.12A Notification in electronic APS Employment Gazette of cancellation of certain employment decisions 31
Division 3.2 Right of return for election candidates
3.13 Prescribed elections (Act s 32) 32
3.14 Entitlement to return to APS employment (Act s 32) 32
3.15 Entitlements on return to APS employment (Act s 32) 33
Division 3.3 Miscellaneous
3.16 Knowledge of Act, Regulations and Commissioner’s Directions 34
4.1 Function of ISAC 35
4.2 Establishment of ISAC 35
4.3 Constitution of ISAC 35
4.4 ISAC procedures — minimum requirements 36
4.5 ISAC procedures — Merit Protection Commissioner’s instructions 37
4.6 Assistance to ISAC 37
4.7 Assessment and recommendation by ISAC 37
4.8 Non‑agreement on recommendation by ISAC 38
4.9 ISAC recommendation not binding 38
4.10 Effect of acting on ISAC recommendation 38
4.11 Effect of not acting in accordance with ISAC recommendation 38
4.12 Offence 39
Division 5.1 Statement of intent and outline
5.1 General policy about review 40
5.2 Outline of Part 5 40
5.3 Review of certain promotion and engagement decisions 41
5.4 Review of other APS action 41
5.5 Agency Head’s responsibility 41
Division 5.2 Review of certain APS promotion decisions and engagement decisions (including decisions involving Parliamentary Service employees)
5.6 Application of Division 5.2 42
5.7 Entitlement for review: promotion decision 43
5.7A Entitlement for review: engagement decision 43
5.8 Grounds for review 44
5.9 Application for review 44
5.10 Appointment of PRC 46
5.11 Constitution of PRC 46
5.12 Statements by parties 47
5.13 Frivolous or vexatious applications 48
5.14 PRC procedures — minimum requirements 48
5.15 PRC procedures — Merit Protection Commissioner’s instructions 48
5.16 Assistance to PRC 49
5.17 Requirement to provide information or documents 49
5.18 Conduct of review by PRC 49
5.19 Non‑agreement on decision by PRC 50
5.20 Effect of PRC decision 50
5.21 Offence 51
Division 5.3 Review of other APS actions
Subdivision 5.3.1 Reviewable action
5.22 Entitlement for review 51
5.23 What APS action is reviewable action 51
5.23A When applications for review must be made 52
Subdivision 5.3.2 Primary review
5.24 Application for primary review 53
5.25 Referral to Merit Protection Commissioner 54
5.26 Notice that action not reviewable 54
5.27 Conduct of review by Agency Head 55
5.28 Conduct of review by Merit Protection Commissioner etc 56
Subdivision 5.3.3 Secondary review
5.29 Application for secondary review 57
5.30 Agency Head to give documents to Merit Protection Commissioner 57
5.31 Conduct of review 57
Subdivision 5.3.4 Action following recommendation to Agency Head
5.32 Action by Agency Head 58
Subdivision 5.3.5 Other provisions about review
5.33 Review procedures — minimum requirements 59
5.34 Review procedures — Merit Protection Commissioner’s instructions 60
5.35 Requirement to provide information or documents 60
5.36 Making of application does not operate as stay 60
5.37 Offence 60
6.1 Commissioner’s functions — inquiries into Merit Protection Commissioner’s behaviour (Act s 41 (1)) 61
6.2 Commissioner’s functions — inquiries into alleged breaches of Code of Conduct by Agency Heads (Act s 41 (3)) 61
6.3 Non‑disclosure of information by Commissioner, etc 62
6.4 Immunity from suit 64
7.1 Prescribed functions (Act s 50) 65
7.2 Investigation of complaints by former employees 65
7.3 Review of actions of statutory office holders who are not Agency Heads 65
7.4 Other functions of Merit Protection Commissioner 66
7.5 Independence of Merit Protection Commissioner 67
7.6 Non‑disclosure of information by Merit Protection Commissioner, etc 67
7.7 Immunity from suit 70
Part 8 Administrative arrangements and re‑organisations
8.1 Employment conditions after machinery of government changes — movement of APS employees (Act s 72) 71
8.2 Employment conditions after machinery of government changes — engagement of non‑APS employees (Act s 72) 72
8A.1 Definitions 74
8A.2 Application of Part 8A 75
8A.3 Application of State and Territory law 75
8A.4 Paying officer 75
8A.5 Authority to make deductions 76
8A.6 Administration fee 77
8A.7 More than 1 judgment debt 78
8A.8 Effect of deductions 78
8A.9 Rate of deductions 78
8A.10 Move to another Agency 79
8A.11 Administration of deductions 80
8A.12 Recovery of overpayment 80
9.2 Release of personal information (Act s 76) 81
9.3 Delegations 82
Schedule 1 Non‑reviewable actions 84
Schedule 2 Comparable and higher APS classifications to Parliamentary Service classifications 86
Dictionary 88
Note The dictionary only includes a signpost definition for a word or expression if the word or expression is used in more than one regulation.
(2) The dictionary includes certain words and expressions relevant to these Regulations that are defined in the Public Service
Note These definitions are indicated by an asterisk (*) and have been included for information only to assist readers of the regulations. Minor changes from the Act definitions are indicated by square brackets ([ ]).
(1) This regulation is made for subsection 13 (13) of the Act.
(ii) can be disclosed without disclosing, expressly
or by implication, other information to which subregulation (3) or (4) applies.
Note Under section 70 of the Crimes Act 1914, it is an offence for an APS employee to publish or communicate any fact or document which comes to the employee’s knowledge, or into the employee’s possession, by virtue of being a Commonwealth officer, and which it is the employee’s duty not to disclose.
2.2 Statutory office holders bound by the Code of Conduct (Act s 14)
(1) For the purposes of the definition of statutory office holder in subsection 14 (3) of the Act, an office is prescribed if it is in a class of offices that:
(a) are not an office of Agency Head; and
(b) are not judicial offices; and
(c) are held by non‑APS employees who:
(i) are acting in relation to the exercise of their direct
or indirect supervisory duties in relation to APS employees; and
(ii) are engaged or employed under an Act.
(2) For the purposes of the definition of statutory office holder in subsection 14 (3) of the Act, an appointment is prescribed if it is in a class of appointments that:
(a) are not appointments to an office of Agency Head; and
(b) are not judicial appointments; and
(c) relate to non‑APS employees who:
(ii) are appointed under an Act.
non‑APS employee means a person employed or appointed under an Act who is not an APS employee.
(b) under paragraph 15 (1) (e) of the Act, the Agency Head imposes on the employee the sanction of deduction from salary, by way of fine.
(2) For the purposes of subsection 15 (2) of the Act, the deduction must not be more than 2% of the APS employee’s annual salary.
2.4 Procedures for dealing with whistleblowers reports (Act s 16)
(1) An Agency Head must establish procedures for dealing with a report made by an APS employee under section 16 of the Act.
Note Section 16 deals with reports of breaches (or alleged breaches) of the Code of Conduct.
(2) The procedures must:
(a) have due regard to procedural fairness and comply with the Privacy Act 1988; and
(b) provide that an APS employee in the Agency may report breaches (or alleged breaches) of the Code of Conduct to the Agency Head, or a person authorised by the Agency Head; and
(c) provide that if the Commissioner or the Merit Protection Commissioner agrees that a report relates to an issue that would be inappropriate to report to the Agency Head, the APS employee may make the report to:
(i) the Commissioner, or a person authorised by the Commissioner; or
(ii) the Merit Protection Commissioner, or a person authorised by the Merit Protection Commissioner; and
(d) ensure that if a report is made to the Agency Head, the Agency Head will, unless he or she considers the report to be frivolous or vexatious:
(i) investigate it; or
(ii) authorise another person to investigate it; and
(e) ensure that if a report is made to a person authorised by the Agency Head, the person will investigate the report, unless the person considers it to be frivolous or vexatious; and
(f) provide information about the protection available under section 16 of the Act to persons making reports; and
(g) enable an APS employee who has made a report, and who is not satisfied with the outcome of the investigation of the report, to refer the report to:
(h) ensure that the findings of an investigation are dealt with as soon as practicable.
2.5 Commissioner’s functions relating to whistleblowers reports (Act s 41)
(1) For the purposes of paragraphs 41 (1) (c) and (l) of the Act, if:
(a) an Agency Head establishes procedures for dealing with a report made by an APS employee under section 16 of the Act; and
(b) a report is made, in accordance with the procedures, to the Commissioner;
the Commissioner’s functions include the functions set out in subregulation (2).
Note Section 16 of the Act deals with reports of breaches (or alleged breaches) of the Code of Conduct.
(2) The Commissioner must, unless he or she considers the report to be frivolous or vexatious:
(a) investigate it; or
(b) authorise another person to investigate it.
2.6 Merit Protection Commissioner’s functions relating to whistleblowers reports (Act s 50)
(1) For the purposes of paragraphs 50 (1) (a) and (e) of the Act, if:
(b) a report is made, in accordance with the procedures, to the Merit Protection Commissioner;
the Merit Protection Commissioner’s functions include the functions set out in subregulation (2).
(2) The Merit Protection Commissioner must, unless he or she considers the report to be frivolous or vexatious:
2.7 Other functions relating to whistleblowers reports
(b) a report is made, in accordance with the procedures, to
a person authorised by the Commissioner or the Merit Protection Commissioner.
Note See para 2.4 (2) (c).
(2) The person must investigate the report, unless the person considers it to be frivolous or vexatious.
(b) a report is made, in accordance with the procedures, to the Commissioner or the Merit Protection Commissioner; and
(c) the Commissioner or the Merit Protection Commissioner authorises a person to investigate the report.
Note See para 2.5 (2) (b) and 2.6 (2) (b).
(4) The person must investigate the report.
3.1 Condition of engagement — health clearance (Act s 20)
(1) This regulation applies to an APS employee whose engagement in an Agency is subject, under paragraph 22 (6) (e) of the Act, to a condition dealing with health clearances.
(2) While the engagement is subject to the condition, the Agency Head may, by written notice, direct the employee to:
(a) undergo a medical examination by a nominated medical practitioner for an assessment of the employee’s fitness for duty; and
(b) give the Agency Head a medical report of the examination.
nominated medical practitioner means a registered medical practitioner nominated by an Agency Head to assess the fitness for duty of an APS employee in the Agency.
Note 1 The Privacy Act 1988 has rules about keeping records of personal information.
Note 2 Arrangements will be made in Agencies to ensure that employees know the period in which an engagement is subject to a condition dealing with health clearances.
(1) This regulation applies if an Agency Head believes that the state of health of an APS employee in the Agency:
Note Examples of absences that could be treated as extended absences are:
(b) a combined total of absences from work, within a 13 week period, whether based on a single or separate illness or injury, of at least
(2) The Agency Head may, by written notice, direct the APS employee to:
nominated medical practitioner has the meaning given by subregulation 3.1 (3).
Note The Privacy Act 1988 has rules about keeping records of personal information.
(1) For the purposes of subsection 20 (2) of the Act, an Agency Head may approve a scheme for persons engaged for a specified term, or for the duration of a specified task, in the Agency to gain skills and experience for the purpose of assisting them to participate in the workforce.
(2) The approval of a scheme must be notified in the electronic APS Employment Gazette within 14 days after the day when the scheme is approved if:
(a) the scheme is approved on or after 8 August 2007; or
(b) the scheme was approved on or after 25 July 2007 and before 8 August 2007, and notice of the approval was not published in the Gazette before 8 August 2007.
(1) For the purposes of subsection 22 (4) of the Act, this regulation sets out the circumstances in which a person may be engaged as an SES employee for a specified term.
(3) For the purposes of subsection 22 (5) of the Act, if the person has been engaged for a specified term of less than 5 years:
Note Subsection 22 (3) of the Act provides that the usual basis for engagement of an APS employee is as an ongoing APS employee.
3.5 Engagement of non‑SES employees (Act s 22)
(1) For the purposes of subsection 22 (4) of the Act, this regulation sets out the circumstances in which a person may be engaged as a non‑SES employee for a specified term or for the duration of a specified task.
(2) The person may be engaged for a reason, and for a specified term, set out in the following table:
To enable the Agency to meet a temporary increase in the workload of the Agency, or of a component of the Agency, that the Agency Head does not expect to continue
Term not exceeding 18 months
The Agency has a temporary demand for employees with particular skills
In relation to this item, ongoing APS employees in the Agency with those skills are, or have been:
(a) given the opportunity to express interest in performing the relevant duties; and
(b) considered for performance of those duties.
To replace an ongoing APS employee who is on leave authorised by the Agency
To replace an ongoing APS employee to whom other duties are temporarily assigned
To replace an ongoing APS employee who moves temporarily to another Agency
To replace an ongoing APS employee pending engagement of another ongoing APS employee
(a) 6 months from the date of the engagement; and
(b) the period ending when an ongoing APS employee is engaged
To undertake duties for the Agency pending engagement of an ongoing APS employee to undertake the duties
(a) has been offered, in writing, engagement as an ongoing APS employee; but
(b) prefers to be engaged for a specified term
To enable the Agency to engage an ongoing Parliamentary Service employee as a non‑ongoing APS employee
Note When considering the replacement of an ongoing employee whose absence is likely to be prolonged or indefinite, an Agency Head is bound by subs 22 (3) of the Act, which provides that the usual basis for engagement of an APS employee is as an ongoing APS employee, and para 10 (1) (n) of the Act, which provides that the APS is a career‑based service.
(3) The person may be engaged for the duration of a specified task if:
(a) the Agency Head can reasonably estimate the duration of the task at the time of engagement; and
(b) at that time, the Agency Head reasonably considers that the services of the person are unlikely to be required after completion of the task; and
(c) ongoing APS employees in the Agency with the skills required to undertake duties in relation to the task are:
(i) given the opportunity to express interest in performing those duties; and
(ii) considered for performance of the duties.
(4) The person may be engaged for a specified term, or for the duration of a specified task, if the engagement is for the purpose of the person gaining skills and experience under a scheme that is:
(a) approved under regulation 3.3; or
(b) the subject of a general direction in force under subsection 21 (1) of the Act.
(5) The person may be engaged for a specified term, or for the duration of a specified task, if the engagement is for the purpose of meeting a practical requirement for:
(a) the award of a qualification to the person by an educational institution; or
(b) accreditation of the person by a professional body.
(6) The person may be engaged for a specified term, or for the duration of a specified task, if the engagement is for the purpose of providing the person with occupational experience that is required under a law of the Commonwealth, or of a State or Territory, for licensing or registration to engage in the occupation.
Note The Commissioner’s Directions (in particular Ch 3, Diversity in employment, and Ch 4, Merit in employment) contain requirements that apply to the engagement of employees.
3.6 Extension of specified terms of engagement of certain non‑SES employees (Act s 22)
(1) For the purposes of subsection 22 (5) of the Act, the engagement of a person for a reason mentioned in item 1 in the table in subregulation 3.5 (2) may be extended if:
(a) the reason continues to exist; and
(b) the total term does not exceed 3 years; and
(c) the Agency cannot fully meet its objectives by using the services of an ongoing APS employee in the Agency; and
(d) the temporary increase in workload of the Agency, or the component of the Agency, is a result of implementing a policy that does not involve an ongoing increase in the usual workload of the Agency or component.
(2) For the purposes of subsection 22 (5) of the Act, the engagement of a person for a reason mentioned in item 2, 3, 4 or 5 in the table in subregulation 3.5 (2) may be extended if:
(d) the Agency Head certifies that extension of the engagement is in the public interest.
(3) For subsection 22 (5) of the Act, the engagement of a person for a reason mentioned in item 9 in the table in subregulation 3.5 (2) may be extended if:
(c) the Agency cannot fully meet its objectives by using the services of an ongoing APS employee in the Agency.
3.8 Promotion of ongoing APS employees — date of effect
(1) A promotion of an ongoing APS employee takes effect in accordance with this regulation.
(2) If the promotion decision is not subject to review by a PRC, the promotion of the employee takes effect:
(i) if the promotion is notified on or after 8 August 2007 — 4 weeks after the promotion is notified in the electronic APS Employment Gazette in accordance with regulation 3.12; or
(ii) if the promotion was notified before 8 August 2007 — 4 weeks after the promotion was notified in the Gazette in accordance with regulation 3.12 of these Regulations as in force immediately before 8 August 2007; or
(b) if another date of effect is agreed between the employee, the Agency Head and, if the employee is moving from another Agency, the current Agency Head — on the agreed date of effect.
(2A) For paragraph 3.8 (2) (b), the date of effect of a promotion decision must not be earlier than the date that the promotion is notified in accordance with regulation 3.12.
(3) If the promotion decision is subject to review by a PRC, the promotion of the employee takes effect in accordance with subregulation (4), (5), (5A), (5B), (5C) or (6).
(4) If no application for review by a PRC is made before the end of the application period, the promotion of the employee takes effect:
(a) 2 weeks after the end of the application period; or
(b) if another date of effect (except a date before the end of the application period) is agreed between the employee, the Agency Head and, if the employee is moving from another Agency, the current Agency Head — on the agreed date of effect.
(5) If an application for review by a PRC is made before the end of the application period, and the application is withdrawn before the PRC makes a decision on the application, the promotion of the employee takes effect:
(a) 2 weeks after the Agency Head is notified of the withdrawal of the application; or
(5A) Subregulation (5B) applies if:
(a) an application for review by a PRC is made before the end of the application period; and
(b) the Merit Protection Commissioner appoints a PRC to deal with the application; and
(c) the application lapses before the PRC makes a decision on the application.
(5B) The promotion of the employee takes effect:
(a) 2 weeks after the Agency Head is notified by the Merit Protection Commissioner that the application has lapsed; or
(b) if another date of effect is agreed between:
(i) the employee; and
(ii) the Agency Head; and
(iii) if the employee is moving from another Agency, the current Agency Head —
on the agreed date of effect.
(5C) If an application for review by a PRC is made before the end of the application period, and the Merit Protection Commissioner decides under subregulation 5.10 (1) that it is not necessary to appoint a PRC to deal with the application, the promotion of the employee takes effect:
(6) If an application for review by a PRC is made before the end of the application period and not withdrawn, the promotion of the employee takes effect in accordance with the review decision:
(a) 4 weeks after the Agency Head is notified of the review decision; or
application period means the period in which an application for review of a promotion decision may be made (including any extension of that period).
Note Division 5.2 provides for review of certain APS promotion decisions by a PRC.
3.8A Engagement of ongoing Parliamentary Service employee at higher classification — date of effect
(1) If the engagement of an ongoing Parliamentary Service employee as an ongoing APS employee is not subject to review by a PRC, the engagement takes effect:
(i) if the engagement decision is notified on or after 8 August 2007 — 4 weeks after the decision is notified in the electronic APS Employment Gazette in accordance with regulation 3.12; or
(ii) if the engagement decision was notified before 8 August 2007 — 4 weeks after the decision was notified in the Gazette in accordance with regulation 3.12 of these Regulations as in force immediately before 8 August 2007; or
(b) if a later date of effect is agreed between the ongoing Parliamentary Service employee and the Agency Head — on the agreed date of effect.
(2) If the engagement of an ongoing Parliamentary Service employee as an ongoing APS employee is subject to review by a PRC, the engagement takes effect in accordance with the following table.
Is an application for review made before the end of the application period?
Engagement takes effect
Application is withdrawn before the PRC makes a decision on the application
(a) 2 weeks after the Agency Head is notified of the withdrawal; or
Merit Protection Commissioner appoints a PRC to deal with the application
Application lapses before the PRC makes a decision on the application
Merit Protection Commissioner decides under subregulation 5.10 (1) that it is not necessary to appoint a PRC to deal with the application
(a) if the engagement decision is notified on or after 8 August 2007 — 4 weeks after the decision is notified in the electronic APS Employment Gazette in accordance with regulation 3.12; or
(b) if the engagement decision was notified before 8 August 2007 — 4 weeks after the decision was notified in the Gazette in accordance with regulation 3.12 of these Regulations as in force immediately before 8 August 2007; or
(c) if a later date of effect is agreed between the ongoing Parliamentary Service employee and the Agency Head — on the agreed date of effect.
Under regulation 5.18, PRC does not uphold the application in relation to the engagement of the ongoing Parliamentary Service employee
(a) 2 weeks after the ongoing Parliamentary Service employee is notified of the decision; or
Under regulation 5.18, PRC upholds the application in relation to the engagement of the ongoing Parliamentary Service employee
The engagement of the Parliamentary Service employee whose application is upheld commences in accordance with the terms of the offer of employment made under section 22 of the Act
Note See subregulation 5.20 (4).
application period means the period in which an application for review of an engagement decision may be made (including any extension of that period).
Note 1 Paragraph 3.12 (1) (l) provides further information about the notification of the engagement decision if the engagement is at a higher classification than the person’s classification as an ongoing Parliamentary Service employee.
Note 2 Division 5.2 provides for review, by a PRC, of an engagement decision where the engagement is at a higher classification than the person’s classification as an ongoing Parliamentary Service employee.
Note 3 See the definition of higher, for a classification, in the Dictionary.
3.9 Ongoing moves between Agencies (Act s 26)
(1) For subsection 26 (2) of the Act, this regulation applies if:
(a) a written agreement is entered into between an Agency Head and an ongoing APS employee for the APS employee to move to the Agency Head’s Agency from another Agency; and
(b) the agreement does not specify the period of the move.
(2) If the move is associated with a promotion:
(a) the agreement has effect according to its terms; and
(b) the move takes effect as provided by regulation 3.8.
(3) If the move is not associated with a promotion:
(b) the move takes effect:
(i) 4 weeks after the pre‑move Agency Head is told by the APS employee of the agreement; or
(ii) if a different date of effect is agreed between the post‑move Agency Head, the pre‑move Agency Head and the APS employee — on the agreed date of effect.
(4) Paragraph (3) (b) has effect in relation to the move of an SES employee subject to the Commissioner’s Directions.
3.9A Other moves between Agencies (Act s 26)
(1) For subsection 26 (2) of the Act, this regulation applies if, after the commencement of this regulation:
(a) a written agreement is entered into between an
Agency Head and an ongoing APS employee for the
APS employee to move to the Agency Head’s Agency from another Agency; and
(b) the agreement specifies the period of the move.
(2) If the pre‑move Agency Head approved the period, in writing, before the agreement was entered into, the agreement has effect, according to its terms, as an agreement to move to the Agency for the specified period.
(3) If the pre‑move Agency Head did not approve the period, in writing, before the agreement was entered into, the agreement has effect:
(a) as an agreement to make an ongoing move to the Agency; and
(b) as if the period were not specified.
(4) The move takes effect:
(a) 4 weeks after the pre‑move Agency Head is told by the APS employee of the agreement; or
(b) if a different date of effect is agreed between the post‑move Agency Head, the pre‑move Agency Head and the APS employee — on the agreed date of effect.
(5) Subregulation (4) has effect in relation to the move of an SES employee subject to the Commissioner’s Directions.
3.9B Variation of period of agreement
(1) This regulation applies if, after the commencement of this regulation, a post‑move Agency Head and an ongoing APS employee vary the length of the period specified in an agreement that:
(a) is described in subregulation 3.9A (1); and
(b) has effect in accordance with subregulation 3.9A (2).
(2) If the pre‑move Agency Head approved the variation of the period, in writing, before the agreement was varied, the variation of the period of the move has effect according to its terms.
(3) If the pre‑move Agency Head did not approve the variation of the period, in writing, before the agreement was varied, the variation of the period of the move has no effect.
(b) if exceptional circumstances apply — a longer period.
3.11 Termination of employment of non‑ongoing APS employees (Act s 29)
(1) For the purposes of subsection 29 (4) of the Act, this regulation sets out procedures applicable to the termination of the engagement of a non‑ongoing APS employee.
(2) If an employment arrangement sets out procedures applicable to the termination of the non-ongoing APS employee, the procedures apply to the termination of the employee unless the procedures:
(a) if the employment arrangement is a fair work instrument — are an unlawful term; or
(b) if the employment arrangement is a transitional instrument that is not an award — are prohibited content; or
(c) if the employment arrangement is not a fair work instrument or a transitional instrument — would be an unlawful term if the employment arrangement was a fair work instrument.
(3) The engagement of a non‑ongoing APS employee may be terminated on the grounds of a breach of the Code of Conduct only in accordance with procedures established by an Agency Head under subsection 15 (3) of the Act.
Note The Fair Work Act 2009 has rules and entitlements that apply to termination of employment.
3.12 Notification in electronic APS Employment Gazette of certain employment decisions
(1A) A decision listed in subregulation (1) must be notified in the electronic APS Employment Gazette if:
(a) the decision is made on or after 8 August 2007; or
(b) the decision was made before 8 August 2007 and was not notified in the Gazette before 8 August 2007.
(1) For subregulation (1A), the following decisions are listed:
(a) engagement of a person as an ongoing APS employee;
(b) engagement of a person as an APS employee for a specified term of more than 12 months or for the duration of a specified task that is reasonably estimated to take more than 12 months;
(c) engagement of a person as an APS employee under paragraph 72 (1) (c) or (d) of the Act:
(i) as an ongoing APS employee; or
(ii) for a specified term of more than 12 months; or
(iii) for the duration of a specified task that is reasonably estimated to take more than 12 months;
(d) in relation to a person who is engaged as an APS employee for a specified term of less than 12 months — extension of the engagement that results in the term of engagement being more than 12 months;
(e) movement (other than a promotion or temporary movement) by an ongoing APS employee to perform duties in another Agency if the opportunity to apply for the relevant employment was notified in the Gazette or in the electronic APS Employment Gazette;
(f) assignment of duties (other than a temporary assignment of duties or an assignment of duties because of a promotion) to an ongoing APS employee in an Agency if the opportunity to apply for the relevant employment was notified in the Gazette or in the electronic APS Employment Gazette;
(g) assignment to an SES employee of duties at a lower classification without the employee’s agreement;
(h) promotion of an ongoing APS employee;
(i) termination, and the grounds for termination, of the employment of an ongoing APS employee under section 29 of the Act;
(j) retirement of an SES employee within the period specified in a notice given to the employee under section 37 of the Act;
(k) promotion of an ongoing APS employee, following the decision of a PRC under subparagraph 5.18 (1) (b) (ii), which has not been notified under paragraph (h);
(l) engagement of an ongoing Parliamentary Service employee as an ongoing APS employee if the engagement:
(i) follows a decision of a PRC mentioned in subparagraph 5.18 (1) (b) (iii); and
(ii) has not been notified under paragraph (a).
(2) If a decision mentioned in paragraph (1) (a) was made in accordance with the measures mentioned in clause 4.2 of the Commissioner’s Directions, the notification of the decision must include a statement to the effect that:
‘This engagement is made in accordance with the provisions
of subclause 4.2 (2) of the Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 1999 — similar employment opportunity previously notified.’.
(2A) If the person whose engagement is mentioned in paragraph
(1) (a):
(b) was engaged at a higher classification than the Parliamentary Service employee’s classification as a Parliamentary Service employee;
the notification of the decision must include a statement to the effect that:
‘This decision to engage an ongoing Parliamentary Service employee at a higher classification may be subject to review by a Promotion Review Committee in accordance with Part 5 of the Regulations.’.
Note See the definition of higher, for a classification, in the Dictionary.
(3) If a decision mentioned in paragraph (1) (a) was made in accordance with the measures mentioned in clause 4.2A of the Commissioner’s Directions, the notification of the decision must include a statement to the effect that:
‘This engagement was authorised by the Public Service Commissioner on (date) under clause 4.2A of the Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 1999 — exceptional circumstances.’.
(4) If a decision mentioned in paragraph (1) (h) was made in accordance with the measures mentioned in clause 4.6A of the Commissioner’s Directions, the notification of the decision must include a statement to the effect that:
‘This promotion is made in accordance with the provisions
of subclause 4.6A (2) of the Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 1999 — similar employment opportunity previously notified.’.
3.12A Notification in electronic APS Employment Gazette of cancellation of certain employment decisions
(1) This regulation applies if a decision (a cancellation decision) has been made:
(a) to cancel a decision (other than in the circumstance described in paragraph (b)) that is mentioned in paragraph 3.12 (1) (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i) or (j) ; or
(b) following a decision of a PRC under subparagraph 5.18 (1) (b) (ii) — to cancel a decision that is mentioned in paragraph 3.12 (1) (h).
(2) A cancellation decision, and the date of effect of the cancellation decision, must be notified in the electronic APS Employment Gazette if:
(a) the cancellation decision is made on or after 8 August 2007; or
(b) the cancellation decision was made before 8 August 2007 and was not notified in the Gazette before 8 August 2007.
3.13 Prescribed elections (Act s 32)
For the purposes of paragraph 32 (1) (a) of the Act, the following elections are prescribed:
3.14 Entitlement to return to APS employment (Act s 32)
(1) A person to whom section 32 of the Act applies is entitled to be again engaged as an APS employee if, within the required time, the person applies to the relevant authority.
(2) However, the person is not entitled to be again engaged as an APS employee if:
(a) before the person resigned to contest the election, the person was engaged for a specified term or for the duration of a specified task; and
(b) when the person applies to be again engaged as an APS employee, the term (including any extension of the term) has expired or the task has been completed.
(a) if the Agency in which the person was employed when the person resigned still exists — the Agency Head of that Agency; or
(b) if the functions to which the person’s duties related, or mainly related, have been transferred to another Agency — the Agency Head of that Agency; or
(c) in any other case — the Commissioner.
(a) for a person who contested an election the result of which is not disputed — 2 months after the declaration of the result of the election; and
(b) for a person who contested an election the result of which is disputed:
(i) if the election was an election mentioned in paragraph 3.13 (c) — 2 months after the Federal Court of Australia makes a final decision on the petition disputing the result, or the petition is withdrawn; and
(ii) in any other case — 2 months after a court of disputed returns decides the petition disputing the result, or the petition is withdrawn or lapses.
3.15 Entitlements on return to APS employment (Act s 32)
(1) This regulation applies to a person to whom section 32 of the Act applies who is entitled to be again engaged as an APS employee.
(2) The person must be engaged on the same basis on which the person was engaged before resigning to contest the election.
(3) The person must be engaged at the same classification as
the person had before resigning to contest the election (the previous classification).
(4) The person must be assigned duties that are the same as, or similar to, the duties the person had before resigning to contest the election or, if such duties are unavailable, other duties at the previous classification.
(5) The person must be engaged on:
(a) the same terms and conditions of employment that applied to the person when the person resigned; or
(b) if the remuneration, or another term or condition, applying to the person’s previous classification has changed since the person resigned — the changed terms and conditions.
(6) For the purposes mentioned in subregulation (7), the continuity of the person’s service is taken not to have been broken by the period between the person’s resignation and the person’s again being engaged as an APS employee but that period does not count as service.
(7) For subregulation (6), the purposes are the calculation of entitlements under:
(a) the National Employment Standards; and
Note For entitlements to long service leave and paid maternity leave, see the Long Service Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Act 1976 and the Maternity Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Act 1973.
(2) The Merit Protection Commissioner must be satisfied that the APS employee nominated under paragraph (1) (c) has the skills and personal qualities necessary to undertake his or her role independently and impartially.
(3) The APS employee nominated under paragraph (1) (c) must be made available for the purposes of the ISAC, subject to the operational efficiency of the Agency in which he or she is employed.
(4) If a member of an ISAC ceases to act as a member before
the ISAC has made its recommendation to the relevant
Agency Head, the ISAC is to be reconstituted by the remaining members and another member nominated in accordance with subregulation (1).
4.4 ISAC procedures — minimum requirements
4.5 ISAC procedures — Merit Protection Commissioner’s instructions
(3) An ISAC must comply with the instructions.
(c) make a recommendation to the Agency Head, primarily
on the basis of the assessment, as to which candidate
it considers to be the most suitable for the relevant employment.
(2) If the ISAC considers that none of the candidates is suitable
for the relevant employment, the ISAC must make a recommendation to the Agency Head to that effect.
(3) If there is no agreement between any of the members,
the Convenor’s recommendation is taken to be the recommendation of the ISAC.
(2) For regulation 3.12, the engagement, promotion or assignment of duties must be notified in the electronic APS Employment Gazette as having been made in accordance with an ISAC recommendation.
(1) If, instead of acting in accordance with an ISAC recommendation in respect of an employment opportunity, an Agency Head promotes another ongoing APS employee to the relevant employment, the promotion is subject to review under Division 5.2.
(2) For regulation 3.12, the promotion must be notified in the electronic APS Employment Gazette as a promotion decision that is subject to review under Division 5.2.
(1) A person must not obstruct an ISAC in carrying out its functions under this Part.
Note Certain reporting powers for the Merit Protection Commissioner are set out in subsection 33 (6) of the Act.
Note A decision by a Promotion Review Committee is binding on an Agency Head: see subregulation 5.20 (1).
Note A recommendation made on an application to the Merit Protection Commissioner for primary or secondary review is not binding on an Agency Head: see r 5.32.
(c) the Agency Head’s responsibility to uphold and promote the APS Values.
(a) an engagement decision is made by an Agency Head to engage an ongoing Parliamentary Service employee as
an ongoing APS employee at a classification mentioned
in any of Groups 1 to 6 set out in Schedule 1 to the Classification Rules; and
Note A Promotion Review Committee may be appointed to deal with:
the ongoing Parliamentary Service employee is entitled
to apply to the Merit Protection Commissioner to have
the engagement decision reviewed by a Promotion Review Committee.
Note It is an APS value that employment decisions are based on merit: see para 10 (1) (b) of the Act. For the purposes of that paragraph, a decision relating to engagement or promotion is based on merit if the matters set out in subs 10 (2) of the Act are satisfied.
(A) the period specified in the Gazette or in the electronic APS Employment Gazette as part of notifying the promotion; or
(B) if the Merit Protection Commissioner has given an extension of time to a class of employees before the end of the period mentioned in subparagraph (A) — that extension of time; and
(ii) at the place specified in the Gazette or in the electronic APS Employment Gazette.
(A) the period specified in the Gazette or in the electronic APS Employment Gazette as part of notifying the engagement; or
(2) The making of an application for review of a promotion decision or engagement decision under this Division operates to stay the decision until it takes effect in accordance with Division 3.1.
(b) if he or she believes that a review of the promotion decision or engagement decision is necessary — appoint a PRC to deal with the application.
(3) The APS employee nominated under paragraph (1) (c) must be made available for the purposes of the PRC, subject to the operational efficiency of the Agency in which he or she is employed.
(4) If a member of a PRC ceases to act as a member before
the PRC has made its recommendation to the relevant
Agency Head, the PRC is to be reconstituted by the remaining members and another member nominated in accordance with subregulation (1).
(1) An applicant for review of a promotion decision, and the person promoted, must each give the Merit Protection Commissioner a statement in writing setting out his or
her claim for promotion or engagement to the relevant employment.
(1A) An applicant for review of an engagement decision, and the person engaged, must each give the Merit Protection Commissioner a statement in writing setting out his or
5.14 PRC procedures — minimum requirements
5.15 PRC procedures — Merit Protection Commissioner’s instructions
Note Regulation 3.8 provides for the date of effect of a PRC decision.
Note 1 Regulation 3.8 provides for the date of effect of a promotion decision if an application for review has been made to a PRC.
Note 2 Regulation 3.8A provides for the date of effect of an engagement decision if the engagement is at a higher classification than the person’s classification as an ongoing Parliamentary Service employee where an application for review has been made to a PRC.
(1) A person must not obstruct a PRC in carrying out its functions under this Division.
5.22 Entitlement for review
A non‑SES employee (the affected employee) is entitled to review of APS action under this Division if:
(a) the action is action by an Agency Head or an APS employee; and
(b) the action is reviewable action.
Note A locally engaged employee is not an APS employee and, therefore, is not entitled to review of action under this Division.
(1) An APS action is reviewable action if the affected employee is entitled, under subsection 33 (1) of the Act, to review of the action.
(3) Also, the action is not, or ceases to be, reviewable action if the person or committee that is, or would be, conducting the review considers that the action should not be reviewable for any of the following reasons:
(a) the application for review of the action is made outside the periods mentioned in regulation 5.23A, and there are no exceptional circumstances explaining the delay;
5.23A When applications for review must be made
(1) An application for primary review of an APS action must be made:
(a) if the application is made to an affected employee’s Agency Head under subregulation 5.24 (1) — within 120 days of the APS action; or
(b) if the application is made to the Merit Protection Commissioner under paragraph 5.24 (2) (a) — within 60 days of the determination that the affected employee has breached the Code of Conduct; or
(c) if the application is made to the Merit Protection Commissioner under paragraph 5.24 (2) (b) — within 60 days of the sanction for breach of the Code of Conduct being imposed; or
(d) if the application is made to the Merit Protection Commissioner under subregulation 5.24 (3) — within 60 days of the APS action.
(2) An application to the Merit Protection Commissioner for secondary review of an APS action must be made:
(a) if the Agency Head has told an affected employee under regulation 5.26 that the APS action is not reviewable — within 60 days of the affected employee being told; or
(b) if the Agency Head has told an affected employee of the Agency Head’s decision under subregulation 5.27 (5) and the affected employee is dissatisfied with the decision — within 60 days of the affected employee being told.
(b) if a particular outcome is sought — the outcome sought.
(1) If an application for review of a reviewable action is made
to the relevant Agency Head, the Agency Head may, with
the Merit Protection Commissioner’s agreement, refer the application to the Merit Protection Commissioner.
Note Regulation 5.28 deals with review of applications referred to the Merit Protection Commissioner by an Agency Head.
If an application for review of an APS action is made and the action is not reviewable action under subregulation 5.23 (3), the person who would have conducted the review must tell the employee in writing:
(c) if the application was not made or referred to the Merit Protection Commissioner — of the employee’s right to apply to the Merit Protection Commissioner under regulation 5.29 for secondary review of the action.
(1) If an Agency Head does not refer an application for review to the Merit Protection Commissioner, the Agency Head must review the action and attempt to resolve the employee’s concerns about the action.
(2) Subject to subregulation 5.33 (1), the Agency Head may conduct the review in any manner the Agency Head thinks fit.
(a) made to the Merit Protection Commissioner under subregulation 5.24 (2) or (3); or
(b) referred to the Merit Protection Commissioner under subregulation 5.25 (1).
(2) The Merit Protection Commissioner must nominate a person (who may be the Merit Protection Commissioner), or constitute a 3 person committee, to conduct the review.
(3) If the Merit Protection Commissioner is to conduct the review, he or she must:
(b) make a recommendation to the Agency Head in writing about the action; and
(c) tell the Agency Head in writing of the reasons for the recommendation; and
(d) tell the employee in writing of the recommendation and reasons given to the Agency Head.
(4) If another person or a committee is to conduct the review, the person or committee must:
(b) make a recommendation to the Merit Protection Commissioner in writing about the action; and
(c) tell the Merit Protection Commissioner in writing of the reasons for the recommendation.
(5) After receiving the recommendation and reasons mentioned in paragraphs (4) (b) and (c), the Merit Protection Commissioner:
(a) must report to the Agency Head in writing about the recommendation and reasons; and
(b) may make a recommendation to the Agency Head
in writing about the action (which may be different to
the recommendation made by the person or committee conducting the review); and
(c) must give the employee a copy of the report and
any recommendation made by the Merit Protection Commissioner about the action.
(2) The Agency Head must give to the affected employee a copy of any documents given to the Merit Protection Commissioner under paragraph (1) (b).
(1) The Merit Protection Commissioner must nominate a person (who may be the Merit Protection Commissioner), or constitute a 3 person committee, to conduct the review.
(2) If the Merit Protection Commissioner is to conduct the review, he or she must:
(3) If another person or a committee is to conduct the review, the person or committee must:
(4) After receiving the recommendation and reasons mentioned in paragraphs (3) (b) and (c), the Merit Protection Commissioner:
Note Subsection 33 (6) of the Act allows for matters to be reported to
an Agency Minister, the Prime Minister and the Parliament if the
Merit Protection Commissioner is not satisfied with the response to recommendations contained in a report to an Agency Head.
5.33 Review procedures — minimum requirements
(2) A person appearing before a person or committee conducting a review under regulation 5.28 or 5.31 must do so without representation unless the Merit Protection Commissioner decides that, in all the circumstances, it would be reasonable to allow the person to be represented.
5.34 Review procedures — Merit Protection Commissioner’s instructions
(1) The Merit Protection Commissioner must, as soon as practicable after the commencement of this regulation, issue instructions about the procedures to be followed by a person or committee conducting a review under regulation 5.28 or 5.31.
(3) A person or committee conducting a review under regulation 5.28 or 5.31 must comply with the instructions.
(1) A person or committee carrying out a review under this Division may, by written notice given to an Agency Head or APS employee, require the Agency Head or APS employee to give the person or committee stated information or documents relevant to the review.
(1) A person must not obstruct a person or committee conducting a review in carrying out its functions under this Division.
(2) Strict liability applies to the physical element of an offence against subregulation (1) that the functions being carried out by the person or committee were functions under this Division.
Note Functions of the Commissioner in relation to whistleblowers reports are set out in r 2.5.
6.1 Commissioner’s functions — inquiries into Merit Protection Commissioner’s behaviour (Act s 41 (1))
For the purposes of paragraph 41 (1) (l) of the Act, the Commissioner must:
6.2 Commissioner’s functions — inquiries into alleged breaches of Code of Conduct by Agency Heads (Act s 41 (3))
For the purposes of paragraph 41 (3) (c) of the Act, the following Statutory Agencies are prescribed:
(a) the Auditor‑General and the APS employees assisting the Auditor‑General, declared by paragraph 40 (1A) (a) of the Auditor‑General Act 1997 to be a Statutory Agency for the purposes of the Act;
(b) the Australian Statistician and the APS employees assisting the Statistician, declared by paragraph 16 (4) (a) of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Act 1975 to be a Statutory Agency for the purposes of the Act;
(c) the Chief Executive Officer of Customs (CEO) and the APS employees assisting the CEO, declared by paragraph 15 (2) (a) of the Customs Administration Act 1985 to be a Statutory Agency for the purposes of the Act;
(d) the Commissioner of Taxation and the APS employees assisting the Commissioner of Taxation, declared by paragraph 4A (2) (a) of the Taxation Administration Act 1953 to be a Statutory Agency for the purposes of the Act;
(e) the Ombudsman and the APS employees assisting the Ombudsman, declared by paragraph 31 (2) (a) of the Ombudsman Act 1976 to be a Statutory Agency for the purposes of the Act.
6.3 Non‑disclosure of information by Commissioner, etc
(b) a member of the staff assisting the Commissioner;
(c) a person acting under the direction or authority of the Commissioner.
(2) The person must not, directly or indirectly, make a record of, or divulge or communicate to any other person, any information that was:
(a) acquired by the person while he or she was performing duties as a person described in subregulation (1); and
(b) disclosed or obtained under paragraph 41 (1) (c) of the Act.
(2A) Strict liability applies to the following physical elements of an offence against subregulation (2):
(a) that the duties performed by the person were duties as a person described in subregulation (1);
(b) that the information was disclosed or obtained under paragraph 41 (1) (c) of the Act.
(3) Subregulation (2) applies to the person:
(a) while he or she is performing duties as a person described in subregulation (1); and
(b) after he or she ceases to perform the duties.
(4) Subregulation (2) does not prevent the person:
(a) from making a record of, or divulging or communicating to any other person, information acquired by the person:
(i) in the performance of duties as a person described in subregulation (1); and
(ii) for purposes connected with the exercise of the powers, and with the performance of the functions, of the Commissioner under the Act; or
(b) from divulging or communicating to any other person information given by an APS employee, in the performance of the APS employee’s duties, with the consent of the APS employee’s Agency Head or the responsible Minister; or
(c) from divulging or communicating to any other person information given by a person, otherwise than as described in paragraph (b), with the consent of the person who gave the information.
(5) Subregulation (2) does not prevent the Commissioner from disclosing, in a report made under the Act, matters that, in his or her opinion, ought to be disclosed in the course of setting out the grounds for the conclusions and recommendations contained in the report.
(6) A person who is, or has been, a person described in subregulation (1) is not competent and may not be required, in any proceedings before a court (whether exercising federal jurisdiction or not) or before a person authorised by a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory, or by consent of parties, to hear, receive or examine evidence, to disclose any information acquired by the person by reason of his or her being or having been a person described in subregulation (1), being information that was disclosed or obtained under the provisions of section 16 or 41 of the Act.
(7) This regulation does not prevent the Commissioner from disclosing information, or making a statement, to any person or to the public or a section of the public with respect to the performance of a function of the Commissioner under the Act if, in the opinion of the Commissioner:
(a) it is in the interests of any Agency or person to disclose the information or to make the statement; or
(b) it is otherwise in the public interest to disclose the information or to make the statement.
(8) The Commissioner must not disclose information or make a statement under subregulation (7) with respect to a particular inquiry if the disclosure of the information, or the making of the statement, is likely to interfere with the carrying out of the inquiry, or of any other inquiry.
(9) If the Commissioner discloses information or makes a statement under subregulation (7) with respect to a particular inquiry, the Commissioner must not disclose the name of an applicant, or any other matter that would allow an applicant to be identified, unless it is fair and reasonable in all the circumstances to do so.
6.4 Immunity from suit
(1) This regulation applies in relation to the following persons:
(2) The person is not liable to an action, suit or proceeding for or in relation to an act done or omitted to be done in good faith in exercise, or purported exercise, of the Commissioner’s function under paragraph 41 (1) (c) of the Act.
Note Paragraph 41 (1) (c) deals with inquiring into reports about breaches (or alleged breaches) of the Code of Conduct (see also s 16 of the Act and r 2.5).
(2) The Merit Protection Commissioner’s functions set out in this Part are prescribed for the purposes of paragraph 50 (1) (e) of the Act.
Note Functions of the Merit Protection Commissioner in relation to whistleblowers reports are set out in r 2.6.
(5) If the Merit Protection Commissioner is not satisfied with
the statutory office holder’s response to the Merit Protection Commissioner’s recommendation, the Merit Protection Commissioner may give a report on the matter to the relevant Agency Minister.
7.6 Non‑disclosure of information by Merit Protection Commissioner, etc
(b) a member of the staff assisting the Merit Protection Commissioner;
(d) a person (other than an employee of the Agency) to whom the Merit Protection Commissioner has delegated any of his or her powers under section 78 of the Act;
(e) a member of a Review Committee established under paragraph 33 (4) (d) of the Act;
(f) a member of an Independent Selection Advisory Committee;
(g) a person (other than the Merit Protection Commissioner) who is required to assist the Commissioner to investigate a complaint under regulation 7.2;
(h) a person (other than the Merit Protection Commissioner) who is required to assist the Commissioner to review action under regulation 7.3.
(b) disclosed or obtained:
(i) under section 33 or paragraph 50 (1) (a) of the Act; or
(ii) during the investigation of a complaint under regulation 7.2; or
(iii) during the review of action under regulation 7.3; or
(iv) while acting as a member of an Independent Selection Advisory Committee.
(b) that the information was disclosed or obtained under section 33 or paragraph 50 (1) (a) of the Act;
(c) that the investigation was under regulation 7.2;
(d) that the review was under regulation 7.3.
(i) while he or she is performing duties as a person described in subregulation (1); and
(ii) for purposes connected with the exercise of the powers, and with the performance of the functions, of the Merit Protection Commissioner under the Act; or
(c) from divulging or communicating to any person information given by a person, otherwise than as described in paragraph (b), with the consent of the person who gave the information.
(5) Subregulation (2) does not prevent the Merit Protection Commissioner from disclosing, in a report made under the Act, matters that, in his or her opinion, ought to be disclosed in the course of setting out the grounds for the conclusions and recommendations contained in the report.
(6) A person who is, or has been, a person described in subregulation (1) is not competent and may not be required, in any proceedings before a court (whether exercising federal jurisdiction or not) or before a person authorised by a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory, or by consent of parties, to hear, receive or examine evidence, to disclose any information acquired by the person by reason of his or her being or having been a person described in subregulation (1), being information that was disclosed or obtained under the provisions of section 33 or paragraph 50 (1) (a) of the Act.
(7) This regulation does not prevent the Merit Protection Commissioner from disclosing information, or making a statement, to any person or to the public or a section of the public with respect to the performance of a function of the Merit Protection Commissioner under the Act if, in the opinion of the Merit Protection Commissioner:
(8) The Merit Protection Commissioner must not disclose information or make a statement under subregulation (7) with respect to a particular inquiry or review if the disclosure of the information, or the making of the statement, is likely to interfere with the carrying out of the inquiry or review, or of any other inquiry or review.
(9) If the Merit Protection Commissioner discloses information
or makes a statement under subregulation (7) with respect
to a particular inquiry or review, the Merit Protection Commissioner must not disclose the name of an applicant, or any other matter that would allow an applicant to be identified, unless it is fair and reasonable in all the circumstances to do so.
7.7 Immunity from suit
(d) a member of a PRC;
(e) a member of an ISAC.
(2) The person is not liable to an action, suit or proceeding for or in relation to an act done or omitted to be done in good faith in exercise, or purported exercise, of any power or authority conferred by the Act.
8.1 Employment conditions after machinery of government changes — movement of APS employees (Act s 72)
(1) For the purposes of paragraph 72 (5) (a) of the Act, this regulation prescribes arrangements for determining variations of the remuneration and other conditions of employment applicable to an APS employee who is moved to another Agency in accordance with a determination under paragraph
72 (1) (a) of the Act.
(3) Before or after the move, the other conditions of employment of the APS employee may be varied:
(b) in accordance with a determination under subsection 24 (1) of the Act to the effect that some or all of the conditions of employment are to be the same as those that applied to the APS employee immediately before the move; and
Note A determination by an Agency Head under subsection 24 (1) of the Act is of no effect to the extent that it would reduce the benefit to an APS employee of a condition of employment applicable to the employee under:
the determination mentioned in paragraph (3) (b) ceases to apply to the APS employee, and the conditions of employment under the employment arrangement apply to the APS employee.
8.2 Employment conditions after machinery of government changes — engagement of non‑APS employees (Act s 72)
(1) For the purposes of paragraph 72 (5) (b) of the Act, this regulation prescribes arrangements for determining variations of the remuneration and other conditions of employment applicable to a person who ceases to be employed as a non‑APS employee and becomes engaged as an APS employee in accordance with a determination under paragraph 72 (1) (c) of the Act.
(2) Before or after the engagement, the remuneration and other conditions of employment of the person may be varied:
(b) in accordance with a determination under subsection 24 (1) of the Act to the effect that some or all of the remuneration and other conditions of employment are to be the same as those that applied to the person immediately before the person ceased to be employed as a non‑APS employee; and
the determination mentioned in paragraph (2) (b) ceases to apply to the APS employee, and the conditions of employment under the employment arrangement apply to the APS employee.
(ii) if the SES employee decides that the making of the deductions is required — appoint a person as a paying officer for the purpose of making those deductions; and
(ii) if a paying officer is appointed — assisting the paying officer in the repayment of the debt.
Note Regulation 8A.7 deals with cases where there are 2 or more judgment debts against a debtor.
(i) if the judgment debt has been satisfied — to give the paying officer evidence in support of that fact; and
(ii) if the judgment debt has not been satisfied — to state the amount due under the judgment at the time the statement is made.
(1) For paragraph 8A.5 (3) (a), the rate at which a deduction is to be made from the debtor’s net salary on a pay day for the debtor is 20% unless subregulation (2), (3) or (4) applies.
9.2 Release of personal information (Act s 76)
(1) For the purposes of paragraph 76 (a) of the Act, an Agency Head may disclose personal information (within the meaning of the Privacy Act 1988) that is in the possession, or under
the control, of the Agency Head in any of the following circumstances:
(a) the disclosure is necessary for the performance or exercise of the employer powers of the Agency Head or another Agency Head;
(b) the disclosure is necessary for the performance of a function of the Public Service Commissioner or the Merit Protection Commissioner;
(c) the disclosure is necessary for the performance of a function of an ISAC;
(d) the disclosure is necessary for the review of APS action, or action of a statutory office holder, by:
(i) a PRC; or
(ii) the Merit Protection Commissioner; or
(iii) a person nominated, or a committee constituted, by the Merit Protection Commissioner to conduct the review;
(e) the disclosure is necessary for the performance of an outsourced personnel function.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph 76 (b) of the Act, personal information that is disclosed by an Agency Head for the performance of an outsourced personnel function must not be further disclosed without the Agency Head’s written authority.
(3) A disclosure under subregulation (1) must be consistent with any guidelines issued by the Public Service Commissioner after consultation with the Australian Information Commissioner performing the privacy functions.
Note Privacy functions has the meaning given by section 9 of the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010.
(4) A disclosure of personal information in accordance with subregulation (1) or (2) is an authorised disclosure for
the purposes of paragraph 1 (d) of Information Privacy Principle 11 set out in section 14 of the Privacy Act 1988.
outsourced personnel function means a personnel function that was performed in the APS, but is being performed outside the APS under a contract at the time of the proposed disclosure.
Note The Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Privacy Act 1988 have rules about the disclosure of personal information.
(1) The Commissioner may, in writing, delegate to a person any
of the Commissioner’s powers or functions under these Regulations (other than this regulation).
(2) The Merit Protection Commissioner may, in writing, delegate to a person any of the Merit Protection Commissioner’s
powers or functions under these Regulations (other than
this regulation).
(3) An Agency Head may, in writing, delegate to a person any
of the Agency Head’s powers or functions under these Regulations (other than this regulation).
Schedule 1 Non‑reviewable actions
(subregulation 5.23 (2))
Note Under s 19 of the Act, an Agency Head is not subject to direction by any Minister in relation to the exercise of powers by the Agency Head under Div 1 or 2 of Pt 4 of the Act in relation to particular individuals.
3. The giving of a direction by the Public Service Commissioner under section 11, 15 or 36 of the Act.
· Australian Security Intelligence Organization Act 1979
· Superannuation Act 1976
· Superannuation Act 1990.
10. Action that determines, under section 25 of the Act, duties of an APS employee, or the place or places where they are to be performed, unless the action involves:
Schedule 2 Comparable and higher APS classifications to Parliamentary Service classifications
A person who is an ongoing Parliamentary Service employee
is engaged as an ongoing APS employee at a comparable classification to the person’s classification as an ongoing Parliamentary Service employee immediately before the engagement if:
is engaged as an ongoing APS employee at a higher classification than the person’s classification as an ongoing Parliamentary Service employee immediately before the engagement if:
Note Words and expressions defined in the Public Service Act 1999 are indicated by an asterisk (*) (see subr 1.3 (2)). Minor changes from the Act are indicated by square brackets ([ ]). Except where otherwise indicated, the definitions are found in s 7 of the Act.
Note This word is defined in subs 33 (7) of the Act.
(a) in relation to a Department — the Minister who administers the Department; or
(b) in relation to an Executive Agency — the Minister who administers the Agency; or
(c) in relation to a Statutory Agency — the Minister who administers the provision of the Act that provides for the appointment of the Head of Agency.
Note This expression is defined in subs 33 (7) of the Act.
Note An expression used in a transitional Schedule to the Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2009 that was defined in the Workplace Relations Act 1996 has the same meaning in the transitional schedule as it had in that Act, see paragraph 4 (1) (a) of the Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments Act) 2009.
Classification Rules means the Public Service Classification Rules 2000, as in force on 1 July 2006.
*Commissioner means the Public Service Commissioner appointed under [the] Act.
Commissioner’s Directions means the Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 1999, as in force on 7 July 2010.
electronic APS Employment Gazette means the Australian Public Service Employment Gazette, published in electronic form.
employer powers, for an Agency Head, means the rights, duties and powers of the Agency Head under Part 4 of the Act.
Note This expression is defined in subs 75 (2) of the Act.
post‑move Agency means the Agency to which an ongoing APS employee moves in accordance with an agreement under section 26 of the Act.
post‑move Agency Head means the Agency Head of a post‑move Agency.
pre‑move Agency means the Agency from which an ongoing APS employee moves in accordance with an agreement under section 26 of the Act.
pre‑move Agency Head means the Agency Head of a pre‑move Agency.
Note 1 Prohibited content is mentioned in Schedule 8 to the Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2009, see for example item 30 of Schedule 8.
Note 2 An expression used in a transitional Schedule to the Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2009 that was defined in the Workplace Relations Act 1996 has the same meaning in the transitional schedule as it had in that Act, see paragraph 4 (1) (a) of the Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments Act) 2009.
promotion, for an ongoing APS employee, has the meaning given by subclause 4.6 (1) of the Commissioner’s Directions.
Public Service Commissioner means the Public Service Commissioner appointed under the Act.
(a) if the action is action by an Agency Head — that Agency Head; or
(b) if the action is action by an APS employee — the Agency Head of the Agency in which the employee was employed at the time of the action.
*senior official means:
Note This expression is defined in subs 78 (12) of the Act.
unlawful term has the meaning given by section 12 of the Fair Work Act 2009.
Notes to the Public Service Regulations 1999
The Public Service Regulations 1999 (in force under the Public Service Act 1999) as shown in this compilation comprise Statutory Rules 1999 No. 300 amended as indicated in the Tables below.
R. 2.1......................................
Note to r. 3.7 (2)...................
Note to r. 3.8 (7)...................
Note 2 to r. 3.8 (7)
R. 3.8A...................................
Note 1 to r. 3.8A (3)
R. 3.9A...................................
R. 3.9B...................................
Note to r. 3.11.......................
Heading to r. 3.12................
R. 3.12A.................................
R. 4.10....................................
R. 4.11....................................
R. 4.12....................................
R. 5.2......................................
R. 5.5......................................
Heading to Div. 5.2..............
R. 5.6......................................
R. 5.7......................................
R. 5.7A...................................
R. 5.8......................................
R. 5.9......................................
am. 2003 No. 364; 2007 No. 215
R. 5.10....................................
R. 5.12....................................
R. 5.18....................................
R. 5.19....................................
R. 5.20....................................
Note to r. 5.20 (1).................
Note 2 to r. 5.20 (1)..............
R. 5.21....................................
R. 5.23....................................
am. 2009 No. 185; 2010 Nos. 182 and 270
R. 5.23A.................................
R. 5.37....................................
R. 7.6......................................
R. 8.1......................................
Note to r. 8.1 (3)...................
R. 8.2......................................
Note to r. 8.2 (2)...................
part 8A...................................
R. 8A.1...................................
R. 8A.2...................................
R. 8A.3...................................
R. 8A.4...................................
R. 8A.5...................................
R. 8A.6...................................
R. 8A.7...................................
R. 8A.8...................................
R. 8A.9...................................
R. 8A.10.................................
R. 8A.11.................................
R. 8A.12.................................
R. 9.1......................................
R. 9.2......................................
Note to r. 9.2 (3)...................
Dictionary..............................
am. 2002 No. 264; 2003 No. 364; 2004 No. 133; 2006 No. 50; 2007 No. 215; 2008 No. 72; 2011 No. 141