Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Cth)

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STATUTORY RULES.

1926. No. 212.

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REGULATIONS UNDER THE COMMONWEALTH PUBLIC SERVICE ACT 1922-1924.

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS appointed under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1924, in pursuance and exercise of the authority conferred upon it by the said Act, and subject to the approval of the Governor-General, hereby makes the following Regulations, to come into operation from the thirtieth day of December, 1926.

Dated this twenty-first day of December, 1926.

C. B. B. WHITE, Chairman,

J. P. McGLINN, Commissioner.

Board of Commissioners.

Approved in Executive Council this twenty-second day of December, 1926.

STONEHAVEN,

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command.

G. F. PEARCE,

for Acting Prime Minister.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE COMMONWEALTH PUBLIC SERVICE ACT 1922-1924.

Part 1.—Preliminary.

Short title.

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations.

Parts.

2. These Regulations are divided into Parts as follows:—

Part I.—Preliminary.

Part II.—Administration.

Division I.—Attendance and Duties of Officers.

Division II.—Leave of Absence and Holidays.

Division III.—Hours of Duty and Overtime.

Division IV.—Miscellaneous.

C.14028.—Price 1/9.

Part III.—Travelling and other Allowances.

Division I.—General Allowances

Division II.—Mode of Travelling

Division III.—Special Allowances.

Division IV.—District Allowances.

Part IV.—Officers of the Second Division.

Part V.—Officers of the Third Division.

Part VI.—Officers of the Fourth Division.

Part VII.—Promotion, Incremental Advancement, and Transfer.

Part VIII.—Temporary Employment.

Part IX.—Divisional Representatives.

Part X.—Boards of Appeal and Inquiry—Offences.

Part XI.—Examinations.

Division I.—Third Division.

Division II.—Fourth Division.

Division III.—Miscellaneous.

Definitions

3. In these Regulations, unless the contrary intention appears—

“the Act” means the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1924, and if at any time that Act is amended, means that Act as so amended;

“the Inspector” means a person appointed as a Public Service Inspector and doing duty in the matter in relation to which the expression is used;

“the Service” means the Commonwealth Service as defined in section 10 of the Act.

Repeal of previous Regulations.

4. All regulations made under the Act, in force at the commencement of these Regulations, are repealed as from the commencement of these Regulations, save as to anything lawfully done, or any right, privilege, obligation or liability acquired, accrued or incurred thereunder.

Address of communications.

5. Subject to these Regulations, all communications intended for the Board and relating to the Service or the administration thereof, or to any subject or matter referred to in the Act or these Regulations, shall be addressed “Secretary, Commonwealth Public Service Board.” All communications intended for an Inspector shall be addressed “Commonwealth Public Service Inspector.”

Applications, how made.

6. The application of any officer upon any matter affecting him as an officer of the Service shall be made by that officer, through the head of his branch, to the Chief Officer. Where the matter is one which the officer desires shall be considered by the Board, the application shall be addressed to the “Secretary, Commonwealth Public Service Board,” and shall be forwarded by the Chief Officer, with any remarks considered necessary, to the Inspector for transmission to the Board.

Part II.—Administration.

Division I.—Attendance and Duties of Officers.

Officers to acquaint themselves with Act and Regulations.

7. All officers are required to acquaint themselves with the Act and these Regulations.

Act and Regulations to be available to officer.

8. Officers in charge of branches or sections of Departments shall requisition for sufficient copies of the Act and these Regulations to enable officers working under their direction to have ready access to the Act and these Regulations.

Hours of business.

9. (1) Where the circumstances of public business permit, and except where otherwise determined by the Board, the hours of attendance to be observed in the Commonwealth Offices shall, subject to these Regulations, be from 9 a.m. to 4.45 p.m., with an interval of one hour for luncheon, except on Saturdays, when the hours of attendance shall be from. 9 am. to 12 noon.

(2) The ordinary hours of attendance of artisans, labourers, and similar classes shall be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an interval of one hour for luncheon, except on Saturdays, when the hours of attendance shall be from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

(3) Where the nature of the duties of any officer or class of officers does not, in the public interest, permit of attendance as prescribed in the last two preceding sub-regulations, other hours of duty may, subject to the directions of the Board, be specified in departmental instructions by the Chief Officer or any officer authorized by the Chief Officer. A copy of the departmental instructions issued shall be furnished by the Chief Officer to the Board.

Records of attendances.

10. Such means of recording the attendance of officers as are approved by the Permanent Head shall be provided in every Department and in every section of a Department where departmental convenience so demands. The officer in charge of each section provided with means of record of attendance shall be responsible for their use in accordance with these Regulations.

Obligation to record attendances.

11. (1) Every officer, not being an officer of the First or Second Division, and not being an officer exempted from the provisions of this regulation by the Board upon recommendation of the Permanent Head, shall, except as provided in regulations 13 and 15, record daily in an attendance book or other means of record approved by the Permanent Head, the actual time of his arrival on duty and his departure therefrom.

(2) The exemption of any officer from the obligation to record his attendance shall not be deemed to authorize that officer to absent himself from duty or to leave his office except on official business within his hours of duty.

Accessibility of attendance records.

12. The approved means of record of attendance shall be accessible at the ordinary time of arrival of officers, and shall be made available at the ordinary time of ceasing duty and not before.

Late attendances.

13. An officer arriving on duty later than ten minutes after the ordinary time of commencing duty shall not record his attendance, but shall report himself to the officer in charge, by whom the record shall be made, together with the officer’s explanation for late attendance.

Reports of late attendances.

14. Where a satisfactory explanation of late attendance is not furnished, or where the officer—

(a) is frequently late in arrival after the ordinary hour of commencing duty, whether or not such attendances are ten minutes late,

(b) leaves duty without authority before the ordinary time of departure,

(c) absents himself without authority during office hours, or

(d) records incorrectly the time of his arrival or departure,

it shall be the duty of the officer in charge to report the conduct of the officer to the Chief Officer as a breach of these Regulations.

C.14028.—2

Absence from duty during office hours.

15. (1) No officer shall be allowed to leave his office during office hours, except on official business or by express permission of the Chief Officer or officer in charge of the branch, and the period of such absence, if not on official business, shall be duly recorded by the officer in charge in the record of attendances.

(2) At the discretion of the Chief Officer leave for such absence may be granted with or without pay, or may be deducted from recreation leave:

Provided that where the leave is not so deducted and payment is made for overtime worked during the 30 days succeeding such leave, the period of leave, or, where the period of leave exceeds the period of overtime, so much of the period of leave as is equivalent to the period of overtime shall be without pay.

Absence from duty in case of illness or emergency.

16. (1) No officer shall be absent from duty or shall leave his district without proper authority, unless reasonable cause is shown.

(2) If an officer is prevented by illness or other emergency from attending to duty, he shall immediately report the fact through the head of his branch to the Chief Officer, and the officer shall furnish, in the case of illness, such evidence as is prescribed, and, in the case of emergency, such evidence as the Chief Officer considers necessary.

Officers not under supervision to keep journal.

17. Unless otherwise ordered by the Permanent Head, every officer not immediately under supervision shall keep a journal daily showing the duties performed by him, and the time occupied in those duties, and shall, whenever required, produce this journal or furnish a copy thereof to the officer under whose authority he is placed or to any other officer authorized by the Permanent Head or the Board to inspect the journal.

Responsibilities of Permanent Heads.

18. The Permanent Head shall report to the Board, whenever the necessity arises, any alterations which are, in his opinion, necessary or expedient for the more economical, efficient or convenient working of his Department or any branch thereof. He shall also report to the Board what alterations, if any, are in his opinion necessary in the salaries or allowances of any of the officers under his control, and shall bring under the attention of the Board any matter, whether in relation to any officer or to the work of any branch of his Department, with which he thinks it desirable for the Board to be acquainted.

Creation and abolition of offices.

19. (1) The Permanent Head shall report to the Board whenever he deems it advisable—

(a) to create a new office in any Division;

(b) to abolish any office; or

(c) to raise or lower the classification of any office.

(2) Whenever an alteration is made in the duties of any office affecting the importance or character of its work, the officer responsible for the alteration shall furnish a report setting out particulars of the alteration. The report shall be made to the Board through the Permanent Head, who shall inform the Board if, in his opinion, the classification of the office should be varied consequent upon the change of duties.

Redundant Officers.

20. Whenever the Permanent Head or the Chief Officer, or an officer in charge under a Chief Officer, finds that the number of officers under his control is greater than the business demands, or can be reduced through re-arrangement of duties or improved methods of working, he shall forthwith report accordingly. Such report shall be transmitted through or by the Chief Officer or the Permanent Head to the Board.

Report as to officers attaining 60 years.

21. When any officer attains the age of 60 years, the Permanent Head shall report to the Board as to the willingness and fitness of such officer to continue to perform the duties of his position.

Return of officers over 60 years of age.

22. (1) The Permanent Head shall furnish the Board, in the month of April in each year, with a return of officers in his Department who have attained the age of 60 years or over, together with a report in each case as to whether the officer is able and willing to continue to perform his duties.

(2) If the Permanent Head is of the opinion that any such officer should he retired on account of inability to perform his duties, he shall recommend accordingly, stating his reasons for so doing.

Returns and information generally.

23. Whenever requested by the Board, or any officer authorized by the Board, the Permanent Head or Chief Officer shall supply such returns or other information as is required for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the Act or these Regulations.

Return of punishments.

24. (1) The Chief Officer of each Department shall cause a return to be forwarded monthly to the Board showing all fines exceeding five shillings imposed under the provisions of the Act or these Regulations during the previous month. The return shall set forth the name of the officer, office held, offence, and punishment.

(2) The Chief Officer shall cause a record to be kept of all punishments of officers of his Department:

Provided that, in any case where an officer has been punished by caution, reprimand, or fine not exceeding five shillings, no record shall be kept for a longer period than two years, and in any matter affecting the officer no record, report, or other matter relating to such caution, reprimand, or fine not exceeding five shillings of over two years’ standing shall be taken into consideration.

Resignation, death, transfer or reduction.

25. The Chief Officer shall immediately report to the Inspector, for the information of the Board, the resignation, death, transfer as punishment, or reduction as punishment of any officer.

Occupancy of quarters.

26. The Chief Officer shall notify the Board of the occupancy by an officer, for the purpose of residence, of the whole or any part of any building belonging to or occupied by the Commonwealth, and shall state whether or not such occupancy involves an obligation of supervision or general control by the officer over personnelor property, and, in the latter case, the rent to be paid and other conditions of the occupancy.

Subletting prohibited.

27. Officers who occupy for the purpose of residence any building belonging to or occupied by the Commonwealth are prohibited from subletting any portion of the building without the consent in writing of the Chief Officer.

Repairs to Government buildings.

28. All officers shall be held responsible for the careful use and preservation of all Government property in their occupation, possession, custody, or care. Officers in charge of public buildings shall, in the event of repairs being required, report to the Chief Officer, and shall not allow the buildings to fall into decay, or to become permanently injured for the want of repairs without reporting the circumstances to the Chief Officer.

Maintenance of order.

29. Officers in charge of any sub-department, branch, or section of the Public Service shall be responsible for the maintenance of good order, and shall afford the utmost assistance to the Chief Officer and Permanent Head.

Breaches of Regulations to be reported.

30. All officers in charge of any sub-department, branch, or section of the Public Service shall report to the Chief Officer any breaches of these Regulations which come to their knowledge.

Report of officers incapacitated through liquor or drugs.

31. If an officer in charge or sub-charge observes at any time that any officer or employee under his supervision is unfit to perform his duties properly by reason of over-indulgence in intoxicating liquor or drugs, he shall suspend him from duty, and immediately report the matter to his immediate superior officer or to the Chief Officer of the Department.

Obligations as to duty and behaviour.

32. Every officer shall—

(a) during the hours of official business devote himself exclusively and zealously to the discharge of his public duties;

(b) behave at all times with courtesy to the public, giving prompt attention to all reasonable requirements;

(c) obey promptly all instructions given to him by any officer under whose control or supervision he is placed;

(d)promptly and correctly carry out all duties appertaining to his office, or any other duty he is directed to perform; and

(e) in due course and at proper times comply with, and give effect to, all enactments, regulations, and authoritative instructions made or issued for his guidance in the performance of his duties.

Appeals against instructions.

33. (1) If any officer considers he has grounds of complaint arising out of an official instruction, or from any other cause, he may appeal, in regard thereto, to the Chief Officer through his immediate superior officer, who shall forward the appeal forthwith to the Chief Officer, but he shall nevertheless, as far as possible, carry out any instruction given him until it is countermanded by competent authority.

(2) If an officer, having appealed to the Chief Officer, in pursuance of this regulation, is dissatisfied with the decision, the Chief Officer shall on request forward the appeal to the Permanent Head, who, if the appeal is not allowed, shall transmit it to the Board for determination.

Public comment on administration.

34. An officer shall not—

(a)publicly comment upon any administrative action or upon the administration of any Department; or

(b)use for any purpose, other than for the discharge of his official duties, information gained by or conveyed to him through his connexion with the Service.

Information not to be given.

35. Except in the course of official duty, no information concerning public business or any matter of which an officer has knowledge officially shall be given, directly or indirectly, nor shall the contents of official papers be disclosed, by an officer without the express authority of the Chief Officer.

Outside influence.

36. Officers are prohibited from seeking the influence or interest of any person in order to obtain promotion, transfer, or other advantage, or from supplying to another officer, for use for any such purpose, certificates or testimonials relating to official capacity or performance of official duties.

Solicitation or acceptance of gifts.

37. Noofficer shall, directly or indirectly, solicit or accept gifts or presents from any member of the public concerned, directly or indirectly, with any matter connected with the duties of the officer or in which the Commonwealth is interested.

Provided that this regulation shall not prevent the acceptance by an officer, with the permission in writing of the Chief Officer, of a public testimonial presented on retirement from the Public Service, or upon removal from the locality in which he has been employed, or a presentation from fellow-officers or from a Public Service organization.

Acceptance of fees, &c.

38. An officer shall not demand, or, except with the approval of the Board, receive for his own use any fee, reward, gratuity, or remuneration of any kind whatsoever, other than his official salary and allowances, for services performed by him either in or out of office hours, in connexion with the Service.

Borrowing between officers.

39. Any monetary transaction between officers, either as principals or agents, whereby any interest or other return in money or kind is charged or paid, or money is borrowed by senior officers from their subordinates, is forbidden.

Suspension to be reported to Board.

39A. Upon suspension of an officer in pursuance of section 62 of the Act, the Chief Officer shall forthwith report the case to the Board and forward a statement of the circumstances of suspension.

Sequestration of estate.

40. (1) If the estate of an officer is sequestrated, either voluntarily or compulsorily, for the benefit of his creditors, he shall, in addition to compliance with the provisions of section 63 of the Act, within seven days of the date of sequestration, give to the Chief Officer written notice thereof, with a statement of the causes of his embarrassment.

(2) The Chief Officer shall forward the notice and statement, with any remarks he desires to make thereon, to the Board.

(3) Upon being granted a certificate of discharge by a Court of Bankruptcy or Insolvency, an officer shall submit such certificate to the Chief Officer.

Accounts and public moneys.

41. In the matter of accounts and the collection and payment of public moneys, officers shall conform strictly to the provisions of the Audit Act 1901-1926 and the Regulations thereunder.

Contracts.

42. No officer, unless duly authorized, shall incur any liability or enter into any contract on behalf of the Commonwealth or alter the terms or conditions of any approved contract.

Performance of outside work.

43. Where application is made for permission to engage in the performance of work outside the Service, such application shall be submitted to the Chief Officer, who shall forward it, with his report, through the Permanent Head, for the consideration of the Board.

Fines recovered.

44. When an officer, in the course of his official duty, successfully prosecutes an offender, and the magistrate adjudicating on the case awards him a moiety or other part of any fine inflicted upon and recovered from the offender, the officer shall forthwith notify the Chief Officer, and shall forward, together with the notification, evidence that he has paid the sum awarded to him into the Consolidated Revenue.

Officers called as witnesses.

45. (1) An officer subpœnaed or called as a witness shall promptly notify the Chief Officer.

(2) An officer, required as a witness on behalf of the Commonwealth, shall not be entitled to receive any witness fee, but shall be granted leave with pay for the period of necessary absence, and in cases where the officer is required to travel he may be allowed his ordinary travelling allowance.

(3) An officer subpœnaed or called as a witness on behalf of a State shall, as regards his attendance to give evidence, be deemed to be in

the performance of his official duties, and no witness fees (other than the expenses, if any, paid by the Commonwealth for his travelling allowances) shall be charged by or paid to him on account of his being so subpœnaed or called. Any amount received by the officer, otherwise than from the Commonwealth, in respect of travelling expenses shall be paid into the Consolidated Revenue.

(4) An officer subpœnaed or called as a witness in any other circumstances may be granted leave, but such leave shall be without pay, and any fees received as a witness may be retained by the officer.

Division II.—Leave of Absence and Holidays.

Order of granting recreation leave.

46. (1) Where recreation leave is arranged by roster, the officer in charge or sub-charge of the branch, or such other officer as is authorized by the Chief Officer, shall, within one month prior to the date fixed for commencing leave in each case, report to the Chief Officer as to the period of the officer’s absence from duty for any cause whatsoever since his last recreation leave, or, if no previous recreation leave has been granted, since the date of his appointment, and as to whether the leave can be granted from the proposed date without detriment to the work of the branch.

(2) Where recreation leave is not arranged by roster, application shall be submitted by the officer through the officer in charge of the branch or sub-branch, who shall, within one month prior to the date from which leave is proposed to be taken, report to the Chief Officer as to the period of the officer’s absence from duty for any cause whatsoever since last recreation leave, or, if no previous recreation leave has been granted, since date of appointment, and as to whether the leave can be granted from the proposed date without detriment to the work of the branch.

(3) The Chief Officer may direct an officer to take, at such time as is convenient to the working of the Department, recreation leave due to him, whether or not application for leave has been made by the officer.

Deductions from recreation leave on account of other absences.

47. (1) In any case in which an officer since his last recreation leave, or, if the officer has not previously had recreation leave, since the date of his appointment, has been absent from duty for any cause (other than leave under Section 69 of the Act and these Regulations 45 and 50 to 53 inclusive) for more than twenty-six working days in one or more periods, the period of leave which may be granted shall be subject to a deduction of one and one-half days for each twenty-six working days of absence, excluding the first twenty-six working days.

Provided that no deduction shall be made in respect of absence not exceeding three months for which leave has been granted—

(i) under Public Service Arbitrator’s Determination No. 39 of 1926, where the Board is satisfied that the illness necessitating the officer’s absence is the direct result of his service in the war; or

(ii) under Public Service Arbitrator’s Determination No. 24 of 1925.

Where any such absence exceeds three months, the Board may extend the period in respect of which no deduction shall be made.

(2) Officers granted recreation leave shall not be entitled to claim leave for any other purpose during the currency of that leave.

Recreation leave to be taken in year in which it accrues.

48. The Chief Officer shall, wherever practicable, cause such arrangements to be made as will ensure that each officer shall be granted leave of absence annually for recreation, and, if leave is not taken in the year in which it accrues, it shall lapse:

Provided that the Chief Officer may in any case where it is found impracticable to grant leave of absence in any year, or for any other sufficient reason, direct in writing that the leave may be taken in the following year in addition to the leave for that year, and any such case shall be reported to the Board by the Chief Officer:

Provided further that, except in pursuance of the next succeeding regulation, recreation leave shall not be allowed to accumulate for more than two years.

Recreation leave in remote districts, &c.

49. (1) Officers stationed at lighthouses may be granted by the Chief Officer twenty-four days’ leave of absence in any year, exclusive of Sundays and holidays, for recreation purposes.

(2) Officers whose duties cannot ordinarily be performed within usual regular hours, and to whom no compensation in time or money has been given for the extra time worked, may, on the approval of the Board be granted twenty-four days’ leave of absence in any year for recreation purposes.

(3) Officers stationed in remote localities, or in localities where the climatic conditions are unusually severe, may be granted by the Chief Officer leave of absence for recreation exceeding eighteen days but not exceeding thirty days, exclusive of Sundays and holidays, in each year:

Provided that the Board may determine from time to time the localities to which this sub-regulation shall apply, and the period of leave in respect of each year which may be granted to officers stationed in each particular locality.

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in regulation 48 of these Regulations, officers stationed in such localities as are determined by the Board from time to time may be allowed to accumulate recreation leave for (a) two consecutive years, or (b) three consecutive years.

(5) The Board may determine that officers stationed in remote localities shall be allowed reasonable time for travelling while on recreation leave in addition to recreation leave. The period of travelling time, and the conditions under which it may be granted, shall be such as are approved from time to time by the Board.

Short leave and leave for examinations.

50. (1) The Chief Officer may, upon sufficient cause being shown, grant any officer leave of absence not exceeding three days in any twelve months.

(2) All such periods of leave shall be properly recorded, and at the discretion of the Chief Officer may be deducted from the next recreation leave:

Provided that where the leave is not so deducted and payment is made for overtime worked during the thirty days succeeding such leave, the period of leave, or, where the period of leave exceeds the period of overtime, so much of the period of leave as is equivalent to the period of overtime, shall be without pay.

(3) In addition to leave granted under sub-regulation (1) of this regulation, the Chief Officer may grant leave to any officer to attend examinations held under these Regulations, any examination which under these Regulations is required to be passed as a condition of

advancement or any examination of a University in subjects a knowledge of which would, in the opinion of the Chief Officer, increase an officer’s usefulness in the Public Service.

Provided that leave so granted in excess of five days in any period of twelve months shall, at the option of the officer, be granted without pay or deducted from the officer’s next recreation leave.

Leave for Defence purposes.

51. (1) Leave of absence for the purpose of attending the annual training prescribed in Part XII. of the Defence Act 1903-1918 and of attending one school, class, or course of instruction annually, may be granted by the Chief Officer to officers who are members of the Naval or Military Citizen Forces, whether they be serving voluntarily or as trainees. Evidence of the necessity for such attendance shall be furnished before the grant of leave, and a certificate of attendance shall be produced to the Chief Officer at the conclusion of the camp, school, class, or course of instruction.

(2) Leave of absence granted in pursuance of the last preceding sub-regulation may, at the option of the officer, be deducted from recreation leave due, and, in respect of the period so deducted, shall be granted with full pay. If not so deducted, it shall be granted without pay unless the amount of pay which the officer would have received if he had been on duty exceeds the amount of pay, excluding pay for Sundays and holidays, received as a member of the Naval or Military Citizen Forces, in which case he shall be paid the difference.

(3) Leave of absence with full pay may be granted by the Chief Officer—

(i) to officers who are Senior Cadets to perform the training required by section 127 of the Defence Act 1903-1918 which the officers are required to perform within ordinary hours of duty; and

(ii) to officers who are serving voluntarily in cadet units for the purpose of attending cadet training, on the production of evidence to the Chief Officer that attendance is necessary, and that the officers are duly enrolled members of those units.

(4) Sub-regulations (1), (2), and (3) of this regulation shall apply to temporary employees:

Provided that where the employee’s services are not further required, leave shall only be granted to the date on which he would ordinarily have ceased duty.

(5) Leave of absence shall not be granted under this regulation in respect of any period of training required of an officer for failure to become efficient as a trainee, or while he is undergoing, as a trainee, detention or training for an offence.

Arbitration leave with pay.

52. Leave of absence with full pay may be granted by the Chief Officer to officers summoned to attend as witnesses in proceedings under the Arbitration (Public Service) Act 1920, but only for such period as is necessary to enable evidence to be tendered:

Provided that this regulation shall apply only to officers stationed in the metropolitan area of a capital city in which the hearing takes place, or, subject to the certificate of the Arbitrator that attendance was essential to the proper presentation of the case by an organization, to officers stationed beyond a radius of fifteen miles of the capital city.

Arbitration leave without pay.

53. Leave of absence without pay may be granted by the Chief Officer to officers who axe representatives of organizations for the purpose of preparing evidence for submission to the Arbitrator in any proceedings under the Arbitration (Public Service) Act 1920:

Provided that such leave shall not be granted to more than two representatives of an organization at any one time and that the period of leave so granted shall not exceed three months in any twelve months.

Medical certificates in cases of sick leave.

*54. (1) Applications for leave of absence on the ground of illness shall be supported by the certificate of a duly qualified medical practitioner, except in the case of single-day absences, not exceeding three in any twelve months, when, unless otherwise directed by the Chief Officer, the production of a medical certificate shall not be necessary.

(2) Subject to sub-regulation (1) of this regulation, where sick leave is granted without the production of a medical certificate or other evidence approved by the Board, such leave shall be without pay.

Officers re-appointed: Credit of sick leave.

55. Where a person was retired from the Service on the ground of invalidity, and is re-appointed as the result of action taken under section 50 of the Superannuation Act 1922-1924, he shall be credited upon reappointment with the sick leave at his credit immediately prior to his retirement.

Medical examination after thirteen weeks’ sick leave.

56. Where an officer has been absent through illness for thirteen weeks continuously, the grant of further leave shall be subject to the officer being examined by a Commonwealth Medical Officer or a medical practitioner approved by the Inspector.

Certificate as to fitness to resume.

57. If any officer is absent from duty on account of illness, and such absence has extended beyond thirteen weeks continuously, he shall not be permitted to return to duty unless and until a Commonwealth Medical Officer, or other medical practitioner approved by the Inspector, has certified that he is fit to resume work:

Provided that where an officer resumes duty after a lesser period than thirteen weeks’ continuous absence due to illness, the Chief Officer may, if he is of opinion that the officer is not fit to resume duty, direct him to submit himself for examination by a Commonwealth Medical Officer or other medical practitioner approved by the Inspector, and if the examination discloses that the officer is unfit to resume duty, the Chief Officer shall grant such further leave of absence on account of illness as the medical report indicates as necessary.

Health of officer rendering him a danger to others.

58. (1) If the Chief Officer has reason to believe that an officer is in such a state of health as to render him a danger to his fellow officers or the public, he may require the officer to obtain and furnish a report as to his condition from a duly qualified medical practitioner, or may require him to submit himself for examination by a Commonwealth Medical Officer or medical practitioner named by the Chief Officer.

(2) Upon receipt of the medical report the Chief Officer may direct the officer to absent himself from his duties for a specified period, or, if already on leave of absence, direct him to continue on leave for a specified period, and the officer’s absence shall be regarded as absence on leave owing to illness.

 

*General conditions as to sick and accident leave covered by Determination of Public Service Arbitrator.

C. 14028.—3

Leave—Infectious disease contacts.

58A. (1) Upon report by a duly qualified medical practitioner that, by reason of contact with a person suffering from an infectious disease and through the operation of restrictions imposed by Commonwealth or State law in respect of such disease, an officer is unable to attend for duty, the Chief Officer may grant the officer leave of absence. Such leave of absence may be regarded as leave of absence owing to illness or, at the option of the officer, the whole or any portion of the leave may be deducted from recreation leave due.

(2) Leave of absence under the last preceding sub-regulation shall not be granted for any period beyond the earliest date at which it would be practicable for the officer to resume duty, having regard to the restrictions imposed by law.

Pay for holidays when on leave.

59. The rate paid for public holidays occurring during absence on leave shall be the same as that allowed for the period of leave in which the holiday occurs.

Illness caused through misconduct.

60. (1) No leave shall be granted with pay on account of illness caused by the misconduct of the officer, or in any case of absence from duty without sufficient cause.

(2) Where the Chief Officer, or any officer approved by the Chief Officer, has occasion for doubt as to the cause of the illness or the reason for the absence, he may instruct a medical practitioner to visit and examine the officer, or may direct such officer to attend on a medical practitioner for examination.

(3) If the report of the medical practitioner is not favorable to the officer concerned, or if the officer is not available for examination at the time of the medical practitioner’s visit without, in the opinion of the Chief Officer, reasonable cause therefor, a fee for the examination or visit shall be charged against the officer and be deducted from his salary.

(4) The fee for examination if conducted at the medical practitioner’s rooms shall be 10s. 6d., but if the medical practitioner is required to visit the officer the fee shall be £1 1s.:

Provided that where the distance travelled would, in the opinion of the Chief Officer, warrant a greater fee than £1 1s., such fee may be paid as is arranged between the Chief Officer and the medical practitioner.

(5) The fee shall be paid to the medical practitioner unless he be a permanent officer of the Service, when it shall be paid into the Consolidated Revenue.

(6) An officer shall submit himself to medical examination, when required to do so, by the medical practitioner selected by the Chief Officer, or any officer approved by the Chief Officer.

Emergency leave.

61. Leave granted by the Chief Officer pursuant to section 70 of the Act in cases of pressing necessity, other than as provided elsewhere in these Regulations, shall be without pay and shall not exceed three months in any period of twelve months.

“Salary” for purposes of furlough.

62. For the purposes of sections 73 and 74 of the Act, “salary” shall include the following emoluments—

(a) allowances specified in regulation 82a;

(b) allowances payable under regulation 85;

(c) allowance payable under regulation 86;

(d) district allowance in any case where a married officer is returning to duty at the expiration of his furlough and his family during his absence remains in the district in respect to which the allowance is payable;

(e) allowance payable under regulation 97a;

(f) allowance payable for the possession of prescribed certificates of qualifications;

(g)allowance specified in these Regulations or under any determination of the Public Service Arbitrator as payable to an officer-in-charge; and

(h)fixed annual allowances granted to officers for the performance of duties additional to those of their classified offices.

Calculation of holiday pay.

63. (1) A day’s salary for the purpose of payment for duty performed on a holiday shall be calculated by multiplying the hourly rate of salary by the number of hours in an ordinary day’s duty for the day on which the holiday occurs, and one-half day’s salary shall be half a day’s salary so calculated.

Provided that the payment to a Travelling Post Office Sorter (Mail Officer) for any period of duty performed on a holiday specified in sub-section (1) of section 76 of the Act shall be one 313th part of his annual salary.

(2) The hourly rate of salary shall be calculated in accordance with the following formula:—

(3) For the purposes of sub-regulations (1) and (2) of this regulation, salary shall include the following allowances:—

(a) allowances for the performance of higher duties;

(b) allowances for duties of postmen in charge; and

(c) allowances specified in regulation 82a.

Holiday pay not allowed in certain cases.

63A. The payment of any amount, or the allowance of any period off duty, in consequence of the attendance and services of an officer during a holiday or a half-holiday granted in pursuance of section 76 of the Act, shall, if the salary of the officer concerned exceeds £450 per annum, be subject to the approval of the Board.

Performance of duty on a holiday.

64. (1) The performance of scheduled duty terminating at or before 2 a.m. on a holiday shall not be deemed to be the performance of duty on a holiday unless the officer is required to perform other duty on the same holiday.

(2) The performance of scheduled duty commencing at or after 10 p.m. on a holiday shall not be deemed to be the performance of duty on a holiday unless the officer has already been on duty on the same day.

(3) Duty commencing on the evening of a holiday and terminating on the morning of the next day (also a holiday) is to be considered as duty on one day for the purposes of section 76 of the Act:

Provided that in such case the provisions of sub-regulations (1) and (2) of this regulation shall not apply.

Provided further that where one of such days is a holiday authorized by the Board, the portion of the duty performed on that holiday shall be compensated for by the grant of time off duty.

Returns of holiday pay.

64A. The Chief Officer shall cause a return to be forwarded quarterly to the Board showing, as regards each designation of officer, the total amount paid to officers of that designation for duty on holidays during the preceding three months.

Division III.—Hours of Duty and Overtime.

Duty after office hours.

65. Officers may, whenever it is necessary to bring up arrears of work or to meet pressure of business, be required to perform public duty after the usual hours. Where the Chief Officer thinks such course necessary, the staff dealing with the arrears, or the whole office staff, may be retained beyond the ordinary official hours. Every officer shall, when required by the officer in charge, remain after the usual hours of duty to complete work considered necessary to be done on the same day.

Authority for overtime.

66. (1) Where attendance beyond the usual hours is considered necessary, and such attendance may involve the payment of overtime, the officer in charge shall immediately report, in writing, the circumstances to the Chief Officer, or such other officer as approved by the Chief Officer.

(2) The report shall specify the officer or officers to be employed and the probable duration of the overtime, and the Chief Officer or other approved officer, if satisfied as to the necessity therefor, may sanction the working of overtime.

(3) In emergent cases the officer in charge may directly authorize the working of overtime, and in such cases a report shall immediately be made to the Chief Officer or other approved officer.

(4) Where it is necessary for an officer to work beyond the usual hours to meet some emergency, and it is not practicable to obtain prior authority, the officer shall immediately, upon the completion of the work, report the circumstances, and the Chief Officer or other approved officer, if satisfied as to the necessity for the work, shall authorize the recording of the excess time as overtime.

(5) At the end of each pay period, the officer in charge shall furnish the Chief Officer with a return of all overtime worked during the period, together with claims of officers for payment at the prescribed rates.

(6) No claim for overtime payment shall be recognised unless accompanied by the authority of the Chief Officer or other approved officer or by a certificate from the officer in charge that the overtime has been worked by direction.

(7) Payment of claims for overtime shall be made only on the approval of the Chief Officer.

(8) Delegation by the Chief Officer to authorize the working of overtime may, in any case in which the Board thinks fit, be subject to the approval of the Board.

(9) Unless otherwise directed by the Board, a return shall be forwarded to the Permanent Head quarterly, showing overtime worked by each officer in each branch, sub-branch, or sub-office during the preceding quarter, the amount paid therefor, and briefly the reasons for

requiring the overtime to be worked. A copy of the return shall be forwarded to the Inspector for transmission to the Board.

Recording and payment of overtime.

67. (1) Subject to the conditions prescribed in any relative Determination under the Arbitration (Public Service) Act 1920, overtime shall be recorded and paid in accordance with the provisions of this regulation. In cases not provided for by this regulation overtime shall be recorded and paid under such conditions as may be determined from time to time by the Board.

(2) “Night work” shall be deemed to be work any portion of which is performed between 11.30 p.m. and 4 a.m.

(3) “Broken shift” shall be deemed to be a shift in which any break exceeds two hours.

(4) Where officers are required to work in alternating weeks or longer periods above and below the prescribed hours of duty, overtime shall be the aggregate time worked during such alternating periods in excess of the prescribed weekly hours multiplied by the number of weeks covered by such periods.

(5) The hourly rate of overtime, based on time and a half, shall be calculated in accordance with the following formula:—

(6) The hourly rate of pay for overtime shall be computed to two decimal points of a penny with a minimum rate, except where otherwise prescribed, of 1s. per hour. Overtime shall be calculated to the nearest quarter of an hour of the total amount of overtime to be claimed in each fortnightly pay period.

(7) An allowance paid to an officer for the performance of higher duties, and allowances granted in such other cases as the Board determines, shall be regarded as salary for the purpose of computing overtime payment.

(8) Where an officer, who has ceased work for the day, is recalled for duty, such duty shall be recorded as overtime and shall include the time necessarily spent in travelling to the place of duty and returning to his home.

(9) Where an officer is required to perform, outside his usual hours, work for some Department or branch of a Department other than that to which he is attached, and that work is not paid for by allowance or payment of similar nature, the time worked by the officer beyond the usual hours shall be regarded as overtime:

Provided that where the work is performed in connexion with another branch of his own Department, the approval of the Board shall be obtained to the application of the provisions of this sub-regulation.

(10) Where an officer, in consequence of having worked overtime, is released from ordinary duty, there shall be deducted from any payment to be made for overtime the value, computed at the ordinary rate of pay, of the time during which he has been released from duty.

(11) When overtime is computed on a weekly basis and an officer is absent on one or more days or half-days during the week on authorized leave, or on account of public holidays or half-holidays,

deductions as provided in this sub-regulation shall be made from the number of hours to be worked before overtime can be claimed:—

(a) In the case of officers whose daily hours of duty are clearly defined by regulation, schedule, or otherwise, the deduction shall be the time which the officers would ordinarily have worked on those days or half-days;

(b) In the case of officers whose daily hours of duty vary with the volume of work to be performed, the deduction shall be:—

(i) For a full day’s absence on authorized leave or for a public holiday—

The number of hours which would ordinarily have been paid for in respect of an average day’s duty on the day of absence or on which the public holiday occurred; or

(ii) For a half-day’s absence on authorized leave or for a public half-holiday—

The number of hours, from the commencement of the authorized leave or the half-holiday, required to complete the time which would ordinarily have been paid for in respect of an average day’s duty on the day on which the officer was absent or on which the half-holiday occurred; or

(iii) For authorized leave of less than half a day or for more than half a day but less than a full day––

The actual number of hours’ leave granted.

(12) In respect of cases not provided for by this regulation, the Board may from time to time determine the conditions under which overtime shall be recorded and paid.

(13) Officers in receipt of salary exceeding £450 per annum, officers stationed at lighthouses, and officers not working under close supervision or whose hours of duty cannot be definitely determined, such as inspectors, postmasters, detectives, patrol officers, caretakers (in residence), messengers, and watchmen, shall not be entitled to claim overtime except as prescribed in sub-regulation (9) of this regulation, or in such other cases as are approved by the Board.

Meal allowance.

68. (1) Where an officer whose ordinary hours of duty are between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., is required to attend for duty before 6.30 a.m., or to remain on duty after 6.30 p.m., and where an officer is required to commence duty at least two hours before the usual time, or to remain on duty at least two hours beyond the usual time, and such attendance necessitates his obtaining a meal away from home, he shall be granted a meal allowance according to salary on the following scale:—

Salary.

Allowance.

s.

d.

£750 and over..............................................................

4

0

£500 and under £750....................................................

3

0

£400 and under £500....................................................

2

6

Under £400..................................................................

2

0

(2) A meal allowance shall not be granted when overtime pay is given, but when the amount of the meal allowance would exceed the amount of overtime pay, the meal allowance may be granted instead of overtime pay.

Travelling time.

69. Where an officer is required to attend for duty at some place other than his usual station, and the officer, in the course of daily travelling between his home and his temporary station, is obliged to exceed the time required to travel between his home and his permanent station, he shall be entitled to be paid for time spent in travelling at a rate equal to his ordinary rate of pay:

Provided that no payment shall be made under this regulation unless the time in excess is more than half-an-hour daily, or where the officer is paid relieving or other allowance consequent upon his temporary transfer, in which case he shall be paid whichever amount is the greater.

Sunday duty.

70. (1) Subject to these Regulations, an officer who is required to attend for duty on a Sunday shall be paid for such attendance at the rate of time and a half for the period of attendance.

(2) An officer who has been required to perform a full day’s duty on a Sunday shall, wherever practicable, he granted a day off duty during the six days succeeding that Sunday, and in such case the payment for Sunday attendance shall be half a day’s pay.

(3) Where an officer resides on the premises where his duties are performed, and his attendances on Sundays are intermittent or for brief periods, he shall not, except with the approval of the Board, be entitled to claim extra pay for such attendances. If payment be approved it shall be at the rate of time and a half, but not less than Two shillings.

(4) Where in any Department the performance of Sunday duty is necessitated by public requirements, every officer called upon for such duty shall be liable therefor under the conditions provided in this regulation:

Provided, however, that any officer possessing conscientious scruples against Sunday duty may apply for permission to furnish a substitute.

(5) This regulation shall not apply to officers stationed at lighthouses, nor to officers of the Treasury guard, nor, except with the approval of the Board, to officers in receipt of salary in excess of £450 per annum.

(6) In computing payments for duty performed on Sunday the following conditions shall be observed:—

(a) Scheduled duty terminating at 2 a.m. or earlier on Sunday shall not be paid for at Sunday rates unless the officer is again required to be on duty on the same day.

(b)Scheduled duty commencing at 10 p.m. or later on Sunday shall not be paid for at Sunday rates unless the officer has already been on duty on the same day.

(c) Subject to the provisions of (a) and (b), Sunday pay shall be granted for any scheduled duty between midnight on Saturday and midnight on Sunday.

(7) The Chief Officer shall cause a return to be forwarded quarterly to the Board showing, as regards each designation of officer, the total amount paid to officers of that designation for duty on Sundays during the preceding three months.

Division IV.—Miscellaneous.

Permanent Heads to be Chief Officers.

71. (1) Any reference in the Act or in these Regulations to the Chief Officer shall, unless inconsistent with the context, be read as referring to the Permanent Head in the case of the undermentioned Departments:—

The Prime Minister’s Department (excluding Public Service Board and Audit Office).

The Department of the Treasury (excluding Taxation Branch).

The Attorney-General’s Department.

The Department of Home and Territories.

The Department of Defence.

The Department of Works and Railways.

The Department of Health.

The Department of Markets and Migration;

and to the Auditor-General, the Commissioner of Taxation, and the Chief Commissioner, Federal Capital Commission, in the case of the Auditor-General’s Office, the Taxation Branch and the Federal Capital Commission respectively.

(2) In the case of the Postmaster-General’s Department and the Department of Trade and Customs, any reference in the Act or in these Regulations to the Chief Officer shall, unless inconsistent with the context, and so far as regards the officers of the Central Staffs of these Departments, be read as referring to the Permanent Head.

Certain offices to constitute holders Chief Officers.

72. The offices of the Deputy Director, Posts and Telegraphs, the Collector of Customs, and the Secretary, Public Service Board of Commissioners shall constitute the holders of those offices ex-officio Chief Officers of Departments.

Permanent Heads.

72A. In addition to the persons for the time being holding the several offices specified in the Third Schedule to the Act, the person for the time being holding the office of the Secretary to the Department of Markets and Migration shall be a Permanent Head of a Department.

Allowances based on salary.

73. Where the rate of payment of any allowance, or of any payment extraneous to salary, is based upon the rate of an officer’s salary, in the case of an officer who is entitled to increments at prescribed periods, the rate of salary shall be taken to be the rate to which the officer is entitled during the period in respect of which the allowance is payable, and, in the case of an officer who is not so entitled, the rate of salary shall be taken to be the rate at which the officer is actually being paid during the period in respect of which the allowance is payable, notwithstanding that he is subsequently granted an increase of salary to take effect from a date earlier than such period.

Exempt officers or employees.

74. Whenever considered necessary by the Board it may, by notification to the Permanent Head of the Department concerned, determine the rates of payment and conditions of employment of any officer or class of officers, or employee or class of employees, to whom or to which on the recommendation of the Board the Governor-General declares that the provisions of the Act shall not apply:

Provided that where the determination of an Arbitration Court or other wages tribunal or an industrial agreement is applicable to any such officers or employees, the rates of pay and conditions of employment (except as to holidays) shall, unless otherwise determined by the Board, be those set forth in that determination or agreement.

Authorities to administer oaths.

74A. Any member of the Board, any Permanent Head or Chief Officer, and any officer or class of officer thereto authorized in writing by the Board or by the Permanent Head or Chief Officer, may administer any oath or affirmation required by the Act to be made and subscribed by any officer or by any person seeking admission to the Commonwealth Service.

Application of conditions of employment under determination to other officers.

74B. Where in any determination under the Arbitration (Public Service) Act 1920 conditions of employment are prescribed in relation to any officer or class of officers, those conditions or any of them may be applied to any other officer or class of officers if the Board determines that the circumstances of employment justify such application.

Part III.—Travelling and other Allowances.

Division I.General Allowances.

Rates of travelling allowances.

75. (1) Subject to these Regulations, the following shall be the scale of travelling allowances for all officers and temporary employees:—

Salary.

Allowance, first two weeks’ residence in same place in—

Allowance, after two weeks’ residence in same place in—

Hourly Rate.

Capital Cities.

Other than Capital Cities.

Capital Cities.

Other than Capital Cities.

Per day.

Per day.

Per week.

Per week.

s.

d.

s.

d.

s.

d.

s.

d.

£372 and under..................

14

6

12

0

42

0

35

0

l/24th of daily rate or 1/168th of weekly rate

£373 to £450.....................

15

6

13

0

48

0

40

0

£451 to £550.....................

17

6

14

6

60

0

50

0

£551 to £650.....................

19

6

16

6

72

0

60

0

£651 and under £800.........

22

0

18

6

84

0

70

0

£800 and under £1,000.......

25

0

21

0

96

0

80

0

£1,000 and over.................

30

0

25

0

(a)

(a)

(a) As may be approved from time to time by the Board.

(2) The minimum travelling allowance payable to officers acting as members of an Appeal Board or a Board of Inquiry shall be at the rate of 15s. a day.

(3) Where allowance has been paid to an officer under this regulation for eight weeks’ residence in one locality, the Chief Officer shall submit the case to the Board for review. Nosuch allowance shall be continued beyond three months without the concurrence of the Board, and if, upon review, the Board considers the amount excessive it shall be discontinued or reduced to such amount as the Board thinks fit.

(4) Noallowance, other than for expenses necessarily incurred, shall be paid under this regulation in any case where an officer is not required to be absent from his head-quarters over night.

Allowances payable where officers travel by steamer or railway.

76. (1) When officers travel by steamer or by railway, and the fare paid includes subsistence, one-quarter of the ordinary rates to which those officers would be entitled shall be allowed.

(2) Where an officer is provided with subsistence and lodging, the Chief Officer shall determine what allowance, if any, shall be granted, but any allowance granted shall not exceed one-quarter of the amount specified in the scale of travelling allowances, according to the period of residence in the same place.

(3) Where an officer is provided with subsistence without lodging, or is provided with lodging without subsistence, the Chief Officer may reduce the prescribed travelling allowance, but the allowance shall not be reduced by more than one-third in any case where lodging only is provided, and by not more than two-thirds where subsistence only is provided.

Allowances to be in addition to coat of conveyance.

77. All travelling allowances shall be in addition to cost of conveyance. The period for which travelling allowances may be claimed shall be computed from time of departure to time of arrival of the train, steamer, or other conveyance by which officers travel.

Additional allowance to officer moving from temporary station.

78. When an officer temporarily stationed at any place and receiving a travelling allowance has to visit any other place, and thereby necessarily incurs extra personal expenses, he may be permitted to draw such additional allowance for the visit as the Chief Officer directs.

Relieving allowances.

79. (1) Officers regularly employed on relieving duties shall, where employed at a temporary station for less than one week, be paid the scale of allowances provided by regulation 75, but otherwise shall, subject to the provisions of sub-regulation (4) of regulation 75, be granted an allowance on the following scale:—

Salary.

Allowance per week.

s.

d.

Over £372......................................................

45

0

£372 and under..............................................

35

0

Provided that this sub-regulation shall not apply to an officer while relieving at a station the location of which does not necessitate his absence from home overnight.

(2) An officer temporarily transferred to perform duty at another station or stations involving absence from home for a period of not less than six weeks shall, subject to the provisions of sub-regulation (4) of regulation 75, be paid an allowance as prescribed in the last preceding sub-regulation, provided—

(a) that the officer is informed in writing before leaving his head-quarters of the allowance to be paid;

(b)that a period of not less than three weeks elapses between the time of an officer’s first arrival in, and time of ultimate departure from, any town;

(c) that where an officer is required to leave his temporary head-quarters for a period of not more than one week and has to continue payment for board and lodging at his temporary head-quarters during his absence, he shall be paid travelling allowance during absence as provided by sub-regulation (1) of regulation 75 in addition to the allowance under this regulation; and

(d)that this regulation shall not apply to cases of officers temporarily required to perform duty in a capital city.

Officers and employees on duty away from head-quarters. Allowance on sick leave.

79A. (1) When an officer absent from his head-quarters on duty is forced by illness not due to his own fault to take sick leave and he is unable to return to his own home or, in the opinion of the Chief Officer, it is inexpedient for him to do so, he may be paid an allowance to the extent of the proved costs to him of such illness, but not exceeding the sum to which he would have been entitled under the regulations governing travelling or relieving allowance had he been on duty for the period involved.

(2) When a temporary employee absent from his head-quarters and in receipt of travelling or relieving allowance is forced by illness not due to his own fault to cease duty, he may be paid an allowance under similar conditions to those provided in the last preceding sub-regulation: provided that the maximum period in respect of which the allowance may be paid shall be six days.

(3) The operation of this regulation shall be subject to the conditions contained in sub-regulation (4) of regulation 75.

Suburban relieving allowance.

80. Any officer, not borne on the permanent relieving staff, relieving at a suburban office which is further from his home than his usual station, shall be paid fares in excess of his usual daily fares (if any be necessary) and for a period not exceeding six days at any particular station an allowance of 2s. per day. Except where an officer is employed on night duty, such allowance shall be increased to 3s. a day where the performance of duty necessitates absence from home for at least twelve hours:

Provided that postmen on the permanent relieving staff shall, when required to relieve for a full day outside their regular district, and where the office of relief is further from home than the head-quarters office, be paid an allowance of 2s. per day. The allowance shall be payable for not more than six days in respect of one place, excluding days on which only one delivery is effected.

Increased or decreased travelling allowance.

81. Upon proof to the satisfaction of the Board that the travelling allowance payable to an officer under these Regulations is, as a rule, either insufficient to cover, or in excess of expenses reasonably incurred, the Board may vary the allowance:

Provided that the Inspector may authorize additional payment not exceeding Two pounds.

Travelling and relieving allowances not payable where transfer to be permanent.

81A. Notwithstanding anything contained in these Regulations, an officer who is instructed to proceed to a station in anticipation of his permanent transfer thereto, and who has been notified in writing by the Chief Officer that his transfer is to be made permanent, shall not be eligible to receive travelling or relieving allowance during his employment at such station.

Travelling allowance in New Guinea.

82. Officers stationed in the Territory of New Guinea shall, while travelling in the Territory, be paid such travelling allowance as the Board from time to time directs.

Allowances included in salary for purposes of section 27.

82A. For the purpose of sub-section (7) of section 27 of the Act, the salary which an officer would have been entitled to receive under a determination shall include the following emoluments:—

(a) Allowances paid to officers, generally known as efficiency allowances, in pursuance of the award in favour of the

Commonwealth Public Service Clerical Association made by the Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration on the 3rd day of October, 1919;

(b)Allowances by way of salary paid to female officers in pursuance of clause 9 of the award of the Australian Letter Carriers’ Association made by the Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration on the 17th day of November, 1920;

(c) Allowances paid to officers, generally known as superior work allowances, in pursuance of clause 1a of Determination in favour of the Commonwealth Public Service Clerical Association made by the Public Service Arbitrator on the 17th day of July, 1922; and

(d)Allowances paid to officers, upon or subsequent to promotion, in pursuance of any Determination of the Public Service Arbitrator, on account of the performance of higher duties prior to promotion.

Division II.Mode of Travelling.

Railway travelling.

83. (1) Officers shall travel by railway if the cost be not greater than by other means of conveyance.

(2) Whenever an officer does not travel by railway he shall, upon furnishing receipts for the payment, be repaid the actual cost of the necessary and most economical means of conveyance. Receipts will not be required for any amounts not exceeding 5s.

Fares.

84. Second class fare shall be allowed officers the maximum salary of whose positions does not exceed £336 per annum, and in other cases first class fares shall be allowed:

Provided that in special circumstances the Chief Officer may allow first class fare to any officer.

Provided further that first class fares shall be allowed—

(a) to officers travelling by steamer on the Queensland or Western Australian coast;

(b) to officers travelling by railway

(i) north of 22 degrees south latitude; or

(ii) in tropical climates on journeys exceeding ten hours in duration, or on journeys of any duration if accompanied by wife and family; and

(c) to female officers.

Division III.Special Allowances.

Arbitration rates to supervisory officers.

85. Notwithstanding anything contained in these Regulations, an officer who is permanently in charge of, or in control of, other officers the terms and conditions of whose employment are the subject of a determination under the Arbitration (Public Service) Act 1920, may, on the approval of the Board, be granted such allowance as will, added to his salary, make his remuneration equivalent to the salary prescribed in the determination for an officer of similar status, and may likewise be accorded any other conditions secured by the determination.

Child endowment.

86. (1) In addition to the rates of salary fixed by these Regulations or under any determination made under the Arbitration (Public Service) Act 1920, there shall be payable to each officer who is married or a widower or widow, and who is the father or step-father or mother

or step-mother of dependent children under the age of fourteen years, and who is in receipt of salary at a rate less than £600 per annum—an allowance of £13 per annum in respect of each such child so dependent. A similar allowance may, on the approval of the Board, be granted to any officer in respect of orphan or adopted children under the age of fourteen years who are dependent upon and maintained by that officer:

Provided that the total sum per annum paid to any officer under this sub-regulation shall not exceed the amount by which the salary per annum of the officer falls short of £600.

(2) It shall be the duty of each officer who is in receipt of allowance under the provisions of sub-regulation (1) of this regulation to notify the Chief Officer immediately in the event of his becoming ineligible under the prescribed conditions for the payment of allowance or any portion thereof.

(3) The allowance specified in this regulation shall not be payable to officers whose remuneration is based upon rates of pay determined by Commonwealth or State tribunals for outside industries, except in such cases and to such extent as the Board determines.

(4) In this regulation “salary” includes such allowances in the nature of salary as are determined by the Board.

Higher duties allowance.

87. *

Forage allowance.

88. (1) Where officers are required to provide horses and equipment for the performance of their duties, allowances ranging from £24 to £42 per annum may be granted by the Chief Officer.

(2) Where the Chief Officer considers that the minimum rate is excessive, he may reduce it, and where he considers the maximum rate is inadequate to meet the actual expenses of any officer, the Board may, on reasonable cause being shown, authorize an increased rate.

(3) Where, by direction of the Chief Officer, more than one horse must be kept, half the prescribed allowance may be granted for each additional horse.

(4) An officer may, subject to satisfactory evidence of the expenditure, be granted an additional allowance of Three shillings (3s.) per day for the purchase of horse feed after two days’ absence from his headquarters.

Camping and miscellaneous allowances.

89. (1) In the case of officers who are required to camp in the performance of their work, the following allowances shall be granted:—

(a) When supplied by the Department with camp equipment and cook, £1 10s. per month.

(b) When supplied by the Department with camp equipment only, 3s. per day.

(2) Officers engaged in supervising contracts and who are required to camp in the vicinity of the work shall, if they are supplied with camp equipment and meals, receive no allowance, but where meals are not supplied the amount of allowance shall be at the rate of 25s. per week.

(3) Patrol linemen employed outside metropolitan areas shall be paid an allowance of 35s. per week.

 

* Regulation not made,—Higher duties allowances payable in accordance with Determination of Public Service Arbitrator.

(4) Sorters and assistants on the staffs of travelling post-offices shall be paid an allowance of 4d. per hour.

(5) Telephonists undergoing a course of training shall be paid an allowance of 30s. per week, but such allowance shall not be paid at the station of appointment or in locality of place of residence prior to appointment.

Car or cycle allowances.

90. (1) Officers who are not in receipt of forage or equipment allowance and who use their own motor cars or cycles when travelling on public business, or any officer whose motor car or cycle is used for such purpose, may be allowed, in respect of such use, payment at the following rates:—

Motor car.....................................................

8d.

per mile.

Motor cycle with side car.............................

5d.

per mile.

Motor cycle.................................................

4d.

per mile.

Bicycle........................................................

3d.

per mile.

Provided that, where the distance travelled on any journey by bicycle exceeds 20 miles, the allowance shall be at the rate of l½d. for each additional mile:

Provided also that the Board may increase the rates prescribed by this regulation in any case in which it is satisfied that they are inadequate.

(2) An officer shall not be entitled to an allowance under this regulation unless it is shown that the use of a motor car, motor cycle or bicycle results in greater efficiency and saving than would be the case were other means of conveyance employed.

Reimbursement of fares of Meat Inspectors.

91. The Chief Officer may authorize partial reimbursement of fares paid by Meat Inspectors in connexion with daily travelling to and from duty as follows:—

(a) Within metropolitan areas—any excess beyond the amount of fares necessary to travel between the employee’s residence and head-quarters, which shall be deemed to be the Customs House in the capital city.

(b)Outside metropolitan areas—any excess beyond three shillings per week (daily fares) or thirteen shillings per month (monthly fares).

Cycle allowance to Meat Inspectors.

92. The Chief Officer may authorize the payment to Meat Inspectors of allowances, at a rate not exceeding Four pounds (£4) per annum in each case, for the use of bicycles for the purpose of travelling to and from duty in districts outside metropolitan areas.

Conveyance to locality of appointment.

93. No allowance shall, except upon the approval of the Board, be made to any person, whether previously temporarily employed or otherwise, upon appointment to the Service, for cost of conveyance to the locality of appointment, unless the cost for railway or other fares, including, if the person is married, those of wife and children, exceeds £3, when the Chief Officer may allow the appointee the amount in excess. The Board may increase the allowance where, in its opinion, the circumstances warrant it.

Cleaning and lighting allowances.

94. Allowance may be granted, on the authority of the Chief Officer, for the cleaning and lighting of offices, such allowances not to exceed a maximum annual rate of Ten pounds (£10) for each of the services mentioned. The Chief Officer may also authorize the payment to officers of allowances, not exceeding Four pounds (£4) in each case, for the use of bicycles for official purposes.

Allowances to persons sleeping on office premises.

95. (1) An allowance not exceeding ten shillings per week may, on the approval of the Chief Officer, be granted in respect of any official premises on which an officer is required to sleep for protective purposes:

Provided that such allowance shall not he paid to any officer in residence or occupying the position of caretaker, nor, except as determined by the Board, to any officer in receipt of relieving allowance.

(2) An allowance not exceeding twenty shillings per week may, on the approval of the Chief Officer, be granted in respect of any official premises in the Postmaster-General’s Department on which, in addition to his ordinary duty, an officer is required to sleep and perform night telephone duties.

Officers appointed to stations away from home.

96. Where an officer is appointed or transferred to a position the duties of which necessitate his residing away from home, the Board may grant to the officer such allowance, not being less than is sufficient to raise his total remuneration to £108 per annum, as the Board determines.

Allowances where officers unable to obtain quarters.

97. (1) Where a married officer is stationed at an office where the quarters provided are temporarily not available for occupancy, or where an officer, upon transfer, cannot enter into occupancy of quarters or private residence through unavoidable delay in transmission of furniture and household effects, and the officer is therefore obliged to reside for the time being with his family at an hotel or other house of accommodation, the Chief Officer may grant the officer an allowance equal to the difference between ordinary household expenditure and cost of board and lodging, but not exceeding half the cost of board and lodging of himself and family:

Provided that such allowance shall not be paid for more than one month except upon the approval of the Board.

(2) In the case of a married officer transferred to a station where quarters are not provided, and his family has removed with him to the station, an allowance in accordance with the last preceding sub-regulation may be granted upon evidence to the satisfaction of the Chief Officer that suitable premises for residence are not available at the time the officer reaches his new station. Payment of allowance beyond a period of three months shall be subject to the approval of the Board. Where the officer’s family has not removed with him to the station, he may be granted such allowance as may be determined by the Board upon satisfactory evidence of increased expenditure.

Allowance in lieu of quarters to Postmasters.

97A. (1) Any officer classified as Postmaster or Postmistress who is not provided by the Department with residential quarters, and who is compelled to provide a house for himself or herself and family, shall be paid in addition to salary an allowance at the rate of £24 per annum.

(2) The Chief Officer shall advise the Board from time to time of any allowance granted in pursuance of this regulation.

Reimbursement of fares—remote districts.

98. In the cases of officers stationed in localities included in any determination by the Board under sub-regulation (3) of regulation 49, partial reimbursement of fares paid by those officers, their wives, and families, when travelling on recreation leave, may be granted by the Chief Officer, subject to the following conditions:—

(a) A married officer whose family resides with him at his station may, provided his wife and children (if any) under fourteen years of age travel with him on his recreation leave, be granted an amount equal to the excess beyond £15 on first class return fares between his station and the nearest capital city or other destination of lesser distance.

(b)A married officer travelling alone or an unmarried officer (other than officers under eighteen years of age residing with their parents or guardians) journeying on recreation leave, may be granted an amount equal to the excess beyond £10 on first class return fares between his station and the nearest capital city or other destination of lesser distance.

(c) An officer who elects to travel while on recreation leave a greater distance than is represented by the distance between his station and the nearest capital city may be granted the amount which would have been allowed him had he elected to travel only to the capital city.

(d)Partial reimbursement of fares under this regulation shall not be granted to an officer more than once in every three years.

Reimbursement of fares—illness or accident—remote districts.

98A. (1) Where an officer is stationed in a locality at which there is no resident medical practitioner, and illness of, or accident to, the officer or his wife or children under sixteen years of age necessitates removal for medical attention or visit of a medical practitioner, and the cost of transport for such purpose exceeds £3, the Chief Officer may authorize reimbursement to the officer of the amount in excess.

(2) In any case of removal where the circumstances necessitate the sick or injured person being accompanied by an attendant, cost of transport shall include the conveyance of attendant.

(3) No claim for reimbursement shall be approved unless accompanied by a medical certificate that the removal or visit for medical attention was necessary. The medical certificate shall state the nature of the illness, and, if the Chief Officer is of opinion that the illness or injury was due to circumstances within the person’s own control, he may refuse payment.

(4) Cost of transport shall mean only the actual charge incurred in steamer, rail, motor, or other fares, inclusive of return journey, or mileage rate, inclusive of return journey, in obtaining the nearest medical aid, and shall not include any other expenses incurred en route.

(5) This regulation shall not apply to officers stationed at lighthouses, who shall be subject to such conditions as to reimbursement of expenses incurred by reason of injury or illness as are determined by the Board.

Allowance—Sunday or holiday duty—officers receiving more than £450.

98B. Where an officer who is in receipt of salary exceeding £450 per annum is required to attend regularly for duty on Sundays or holidays and is not entitled to payment or time off duty under section 76 of the Act or regulation 70, the officer may be paid an allowance in addition to salary of such amount as is determined by the Board.

Documents to be supplied by Board of Commissioners.

150. A copy of all documents intended to be used before a Board of Inquiry shall, where practicable, be supplied by the Board of Commissioners to the charged officer at least seven days before the inquiry is held.

Report to be supplied on application.

151. An officer, upon application to the Board of Commissioners, shall be entitled to a copy of the report of a Board of Inquiry which has investigated any charge made against him.

Allowances to witnesses.

152. (1) Any witness, not being an officer summoned on behalf of a Department to give evidence before an Appeal Board or Board of Inquiry may upon certificate of the Chairman of the Board be paid an allowance by the Department concerned. The allowance shall be a sum equal to the amount of salary or wages lost by the witness for the day or days of attendance at the inquiry, or, if the witness is not in receipt of salary or wages, a sum which in the opinion of the Chief Officer would be proper payment, taking into consideration the occupation of the witness, and the time lost in attendance.

(2) In addition to allowance for attendance, reasonable travelling expenses not exceeding Fifteen shillings per diem may be allowed a witness, as well as the cost of conveyance.

(3) The Crown will not, excepting in cases where the officer has been found to be innocent of the charge, and the evidence was, in the opinion of the Chairman, necessary and material, be responsible for travelling or other expenses of any witness summoned by or on behalf of an officer charged with an offence or appealing against punishment imposed for an offence.

(4) The officer conducting the case for the Department will submit the claim made by a witness for expenses to the Chairman of the Appeal Board or Board of Inquiry, who will, at the hearing, give his certificate as to attendance and such other particulars necessary to enable the Chief Officer to determine the amount to be allowed.

Part XI.—Examinations.

Division I.—Third Division.

Subjects and marks for competitive examinations for Third Division.

153. (1) Competitive examinations may be held for admission to the Commonwealth Service in the Third Division, and, subject to these Regulations, every candidate shall be examined in the following subjects:—

Full Marks.

(a)Handwriting—To be valued for legibility, neatness, and simplicity, judged by the answers to the examination papers in dictation........................................................

400

(b) Dictation..................................................................................................

400

(c) English—Essay writing, précis writing, correction of grammatical errors, analysis, and the meaning of words.................................................................................

400

(d)Arithmetic—The full course, such as is usually contained in a standard treatise

400

(e) Geography—Outlines of physical and political geography, and the geography of the Commonwealth of Australia in moderate detail......................................

300

(f) English History—From the middle of the 18th century to the present time, especially with reference to Australia and other British Dependencies............................

300

(g)Mathematics—Geometry, theoretical and practical Elements of geometry as contained in any of the modern text-books, including simple theorems about angles, parallels, congruent triangles, inequalities, parallelograms; areas of rectangles, triangles, and parallelograms; theorems corresponding to algebraic identities; relations between the squares on the sides of right-angled, acute, and obtuse-angled triangles; centre, diameter, and chords of a circle; intersection and contact of circles; tangents; angles in segments; cyclic quadrilaterals; intersecting chords; circumscribed, inscribed, and escribed circles of a triangle; regular polygons; loci; theory of proportion relating to triangles of a given altitude, proportional division of the sides of a triangle, similar triangles, bisector of an angle of a triangle.

Constructions, depending on the above, of points, angles, straight lines, triangles, parallelograms, squares, regular hexagons, and circles, satisfying given data, may be required to be done carefully with graduated ruler, protractor, and compasses.

Algebra up to and including quadratic equations in one or two unknown quantities

300

(h)Latin, including easy sight translation, easy composition, and grammar........

300

(i)French, same as in Latin.............................................................................

300

 

Full Marks

(j)Elementary Physics—The properties of matter, elementary mechanics, and the elements of electricity, magnetism, and heat..............................................................

300

(k)Elementary Chemistry—The principal non-metallic elements and their chief inorganic compounds

300

(l)Shorthand and Typewriting—Shorthand will comprise three tests of three minutes each, at the rates of 80, 100, and 120 words a minute, 45 minutes being allowed for the transcription of the whole. The transcription must be written. (200 marks)

No speed is prescribed for typewriting. Candidates will be allowed a certain time for typing the paper set. (100 marks)...........................................................

300

(m) Bookkeeping Principles and Practice—Use of subsidiary books, including cash book, sales book, purchase book, bills receivable book, bills payable book. Journal, ledger, nominal, real, and personal accounts. Trial balances. Extracting trading and profit and loss accounts and balance-sheets.

The standard required is that of the Intermediate Examination of the Accountants’ Institutes

300

(n)Business Knowledge—Business correspondence (composition of letters, treatment of outgoing letters, treatment of incoming letters, indexing). Postal information (chief oversea mail routes from and to Australia, registered letters, late letters, parcels post, money orders, postal notes). Banking (Notes, Cheques, Pay-in slips, Exchange, Current Accounts, Overdrafts, Deposits). Common commercial terms and abbreviations. The law relating to contracts, promissory notes and bills of exchange.....................................................................

300

(2) A candidate shall undergo examination in at least six, but not more than eight, subjects, four of which shall be subjects (a), (b), (c) and (d),specified in the last preceding sub-regulation, the remaining two, three, or four being left to his choice.

(3) A candidate shall not be regarded as having passed the examination unless he obtains at least three-fifths of the full marks in each of the subjects (a), (b), (c), and (d), and in each of two of the selected subjects in which highest marks are awarded to him.

(4) A successful candidate shall be credited with the marks awarded in the one or two additional subjects he has taken, if at least 25 per cent. of the marks available for each of the additional subjects is obtained, but the marks for a subject not considered for the purpose of a pass shall be awarded on a maximum of 200.

Qualifying examinations for officers of Fourth Division.

154. Examinations may be held to enable officers of the Fourth Division who have completed at least two years’ service in that Division to qualify for transfer to the Third Division. The subjects for the examinations shall be as notified by the Board and may be such as are specified in regulation 153 or any such subjects or tests as are determined by the Board, having regard to the requirements of the position to be filled.

Examinations as to special skill and technical knowledge.

155. Competitive examinations may be held for appointment or transfer to positions in the Third Division, the duties of which require in the person performing them special skill or technical knowledge usually acquired in some profession or occupation different from the ordinary routine of the Service. The subjects of examination and marks shall be such as are determined by the Board and notified in the Gazette.

University examinations—arrangements for accepting for admission to Third Division.

156. (1) Examinations for admission to the Service in the Third Division, or for the transfer of officers to or within that division, may be arranged by the Board in conjunction with public examinations held by a University or other public examining body in any State.

(2) The examinations shall be as follows:—

(a) A written examination in such subjects included in the public examinations, and such other additional subjects as the Board determines; and

(b)in such cases as the Board determines, a personal examination of candidates who are successful at the written examination to satisfy the Board of their aptitude and suitability for the performance of the duties of the position for which they are examined.

(3) Where a candidate is required to submit to the examination prescribed in paragraph (b)of sub-regulation (2) of this regulation he shall not be qualified for appointment or transfer unless he passes that examination.

(4) The examination prescribed in paragraph (a)of sub-regulation (2) of this regulation shall be competitive and shall determine the order of merit of candidates who qualify for appointment or transfer.

(5) The maximum marks obtainable at the written examination and the minimum marks to be obtained to pass that examination shall be such as the Board notifies in the Gazette.

Division II.—Fourth Division.

Examinations for Fourth Division.

157. Competitive examinations may be held for admission to the Service in the Fourth Division and, except as otherwise prescribed, every candidate shall be examined in the following subjects:—

Full Marks.

Pass Marks.

(a) Handwriting—To be adjudged by the candidate’s paper in spelling....

100

50

(b) Spelling—To be tested by writing from dictation not less than 180 words 

150

75

(c) Arithmetic—First four rules, simple and money................................

200

100

Provided that candidates for the position of Telegraph Messenger shall be held to be qualified for appointment if they obtain half the maximum number of marks in spelling and in handwriting, but their order of merit shall be determined by the number of marks obtained for those subjects and arithmetic.

Examinations as to technical knowledge or skill.

158. Competitive examinations may be held for appointment to positions in the Fourth Division requiring technical knowledge or skill, and the subjects of examination shall be such as are determined by the Board having regard to the requirements of the positions to be filled.

Division III.—Miscellaneous.

Examinations accepted in case of returned soldiers.

159. A returned soldier who has passed one of the following examinations which, in the opinion of the Board, is of a standard not lower than that adopted for examinations held under regulation 153 of these Regulations shall be deemed to have passed a prescribed examination for admission to the Service in the Third or Fourth Division, provided that no person shall be appointed to any position requiring technical knowledge or skill until he has satisfied the Board that he possesses the technical knowledge or skill necessary for the efficient performance of the duties:—

Examinations held by the Sydney University, viz.:—

Matriculation, Senior Public and Junior Public.

Examinations held by the Melbourne University, viz.:—

Matriculation, Senior Public, Senior Commercial, Junior Public, Junior Commercial, and examinations for the Intermediate and Leaving Certificates.

Examinations held by the University of Queensland, viz.:—

Scholarship, Senior Public, and Junior Public.

Examinations held by the Adelaide University, viz.:—

Higher, Senior Public, Senior Commercial, Junior Public, and Junior Commercial.

Examinations held by the University of Western Australia, viz.:—

Leaving Certificate, Commercial Leaving Certificate, Junior Certificate, and Commercial Junior Certificate.

Examinations held by the University of Tasmania, viz.:—

Senior Public and Junior Public.

Examinations for the Public Service of New South Wales, viz.:—

Examinations for appointment to the Clerical Division, other than to positions of Shorthand Writer and Typist, and Typist, held under the Public Service Act of 1895 and subsequent Acts relating to the Public Service.

Examinations for the Public Service of Victoria, viz.:—

Examinations for appointment as Clerk held under the Public Service Act 1883 and subsequent Acts relating to the Public Service.

Examinations for the Public Service of Queensland, viz.:—

Examinations for appointment to the Ordinary or Classified Division of the Public Service held under the Civil Service Act of 1889 and subsequent Acts relating to the Public Service.

Examinations held by the Department of Education for appointment as Pupil Teacher, 3rd Class.

Examinations held by the Department of Education for appointment as School Teacher, 3rd Class.

Examinations for the Public Service of South Australia, viz.:—

Examinations for appointment to the Public Service held under the Civil Service Act of 1874 and subsequent Acts relating to the Public Service.

Examinations for the Public Service of Western Australia, viz.:—

Examinations for appointment as Clerk in Class G, and Class F, held under the Public Service Act 1904, and subsequent Acts relating to the Public Service.

Examinations for the Public Service of Tasmania, viz.:—

Examinations for appointment as Clerk held under the Public Service Act 1905 and subsequent Acts relating to the Public Service.

Examinations held by the Department of Defence, viz.:—

For appointment as Military Staff Clerk.

For admission to the Royal Military College of Australia.

For appointment to the Administrative and Instructional Staff.

For appointment as Naval Staff Clerk and as Paymaster’s Clerk.

Examinations held by the Department of Education, New South Wales, viz.:—

The Intermediate Certificate on and from 1912.

The Leaving Certificate on and from 1913.

The Commercial Certificate.

Examinations held by the Department of Education, Victoria, for Teacher’s Certificate, Second Class.

The final examination of the School of Forestry, Forestry Commission, Victoria.

The Oxford University Junior Local Examination.

The Cambridge University Junior Local Examination.

The Intermediate examination of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries, London.

Examinations held in 1904 for the Second Class Certificate, College of Preceptors, London.

The examination for the Leaving Certificate of the Education Department, Scotland.

The examination (higher or honours), Education Department, Scotland.

The Junior Grade Examination of the Intermediate Education Board for Ireland.

Examinations held under the Civil Service and Pensions Funds Act 1895 for entrance to the Civil Service of the Cape of Good Hope if the candidate were ranked in the first class.

The School Certificate Examination held in 1910 for Secondary Schools, Transvaal.

Any examination not included in the foregoing conducted by a public examining body in the British Dominions, the passing of which qualified for admission to a University.

Times and places of examinations.

160. Competitive examinations shall be held at such times and places as the Board considers necessary, and shall be notified in the Gazette.

Local examinations.

161. Where, in the opinion of the Board, it is expedient to confine an examination to a locality in which a vacancy exists, the Board may direct that an examination be held accordingly.

Method of holding local examinations.

162. (1) Where an examination is held in pursuance of the last preceding regulation, applications may, except in capital cities, be received by the local Postmaster.

(2) The Postmaster, or, where the Postmaster is not available, an officer approved by the Board, shall supervise the examination.

(3) The Postmaster shall keep a record of the names, addresses, and ages of candidates who enter for the examination.

(4) Upon publication in the Gazette of the names of candidates who have qualified for appointment at the locality, the Postmaster shall note their addresses, so that, should temporary or casual assistance be required during the eligibility of the successful candidates for appointment, selection may be made from those who are qualified by examination.

Ages of candidates for Third Division.

163. Except in the case of returned soldiers, candidates for admission to the Service in the Third Division shall on the day of examination be not less than fifteen or more than twenty-five years of age at their last birthday, but a successful candidate under sixteen years of age shall not be eligible for appointment until he attains that age, and no successful candidate shall be appointed after reaching twenty-six years of age:

Provided that the Board may, in respect of any specified position, fix a lower maximum age for examination and for appointment to the Third Division.

Ages of candidates for Fourth Division.

164. Except in the case of returned soldiers, and subject to the provisions of section 40 of the Act, the Board may fix the minimum and maximum ages for examination and appointment to any particular position in the Fourth Division. Any determination of the Board under this regulation shall be notified in the Gazette.

165.*

Particulars to be supplied by candidates for appointment.

166. Each candidate for appointment to the Service shall forward to the Board, or to such person as the Board directs, an application in his own handwriting, stating his full name and address, the particular appointment or the class of appointment he desires to obtain, the centre at which he wishes to be examined, the optional subjects, if any are prescribed, selected by him, and the State in which he seeks appointment, and he shall, at the same time, furnish evidence of good moral character and industrious habits by certificate from his present or a past employer, or a clergyman, a teacher, or a justice of the peace, or such other evidence as is required by the Board.

Exclusion of candidates.

167. If, at any time prior to an examination, the Board is satisfied, from evidence which is deemed sufficient, that it would not be desirable to admit to an examination a person who is an intending candidate, the Board may determine that such person shall not be allowed to undergo examination.

Applicants to be recorded in register of candidates.

168. (1) The name of every person who is an applicant for a notified examination, and who, in the opinion of the Board, has complied with the requirements of these Regulations, and any other conditions which may be specified for candidates at the examination, shall be entered in a Register of Candidates, and no person shall be allowed to attend the examination unless his name has been so entered.

(2) Any applicant for examination who is not entitled to have his name entered on the Register of Candidates will be informed of the reason for his exclusion from the examination.

Candidates to be notified as to examinations.

169. Candidates shall, as soon as practicable before the date fixed for the examination, be informed in writing of the place and time at which they are to present themselves for examination, of the directions to be observed by them at the examination, which shall be such as the Board from time to time approves, and of the distinguishing number, if any, to be allotted to them at the examination.

 

* Regulation not made.

Fee for admission to examination.

170. (1) Applicants for admission to the Service shall pay an entrance fee of Five shillings.

(2) If an applicant fails to comply with the last preceding sub-regulation he will not be allowed to present himself for examination.

(3) The amount paid shall be refunded if the applicant is found to be ineligible for examination, or if satisfactory reasons are furnished as to inability to attend an examination.

Fees to examiners.

171. (1) The fees payable to examiners appointed under Section 33 of the Act shall be such as the Board fixes from time to time according to the nature of the examination subject and the work involved.

(2) The fee payable to examiners for furnishing reports upon candidates’ examination papers shall be seven shillings and sixpence for each paper upon which an examiner makes a report.

Supervisors of examinations.

172. (1) The Board may appoint suitable persons to supervise examinations, who shall observe such instructions for the conduct of the examinations as the Board directs.

(2) In any case where an officer is appointed to supervise an examination, involving attendance outside his usual hours of duty, the officer may be paid such allowance as the Board determines.

Publication of results.

173. The results of the examinations shall be published in the Gazette as soon as practicable after the examination, and shall specify the names of the successful candidates, such names being shown in the order of merit where the examination is competitive.

Reports as to marking.

174. (1) The marks allotted by examiners shall be final.

(2) A candidate may, upon payment to the Secretary to the Board of an amount of seven shillings and sixpence for each subject upon which a report is desired, obtain reports upon his examination papers showing the detailed allotment of marks in any particular subject, and a statement as to the merits and defects of his paper.

Register of persons qualified for appointment.

175. (1) The Board shall cause the names of all candidates, who have qualified for appointment by passing the required standard of examination, to be entered in their order of merit in a register to be called the Register of Persons Qualified for Appointment.

(2) The date of the examination, the number of marks obtained thereat, and the State in which each candidate will be available for appointment shall be entered in the register.

(3) If two or more candidates secure the same total of marks, their order of merit shall be determined in such manner as the Board specifies in the notification of the examination.

(4) The Board shall also cause the names of all officers of the Fourth Division who have qualified for transfer or promotion to the Third Division by passing the prescribed examination to be entered in the Register of Persons Qualified for Appointment.

Appointments according to order of merit.

176. Subject to sub-section (1) of section 84 of the Act, appointments of successful candidates at examinations for entrance to the Service shall be made from those persons whose names are registered in the Register of Persons Qualified for Appointment according to the order of their registration:

Provided that the Board may, upon sufficient evidence of an adverse nature as to conduct or ability, direct that a successful candidate shall not receive appointment.

Removal of names from Register.

177. (1) The names of all persons who have been appointed, promoted or transferred to the positions for which they have qualified, or who have attained the maximum age prescribed for appointment, promotion or transfer, as the case may be, shall be removed from the register.

(2) Except in the case of returned soldiers, the names of all qualified candidates not appointed, promoted or transferred, as the case may be, within eighteen months of the date of registration, shall likewise be removed from the Register.

Provided, however, that the Board may, if it thinks fit, extend the period of eligibility of successful candidates who are officers of the Service, but no such extension shall be granted beyond the maximum age prescribed, for promotion or transfer.

Provided further that the names of any officers of the Fourth Division who were successful candidates at any of the following examinations shall remain on the register pending the transfer or promotion of the officers to the Third Division:—

Examination No. 1100 held in September and November, 1922.

Examination No. 1101 held in September and November, 1922.

Examination No. 1197 held in September and November, 1923.

Examination No. 1250 held in May and August, 1924.

Examination No. 1319 held in March and May, 1925.

Provided also that the Board may determine the positions or classes of positions to which officers who were successful at any of the examinations specified in the last preceding proviso may be transferred or promoted.

Evidence as to age and health of successful candidates.

178. (1) A successful candidate shall, upon appointment, and within fourteen days of a request being made therefor, forward to the Board—

(a)a properly certified extract from an official register of births, or other evidence of age satisfactory to the Board; and

(b)subject to sub-section (8) of section 84 of the Act, a certificate from a medical practitioner registered within the Commonwealth of sound bodily health and freedom from physical defects, containing satisfactory answers to such detailed questions as the Board specifies:

Provided that, when so directed, the medical certificate must be obtained from a medical practitioner nominated by the Board.

(2) If the required certificates are not forwarded within the time specified, or are not considered satisfactory, the Board may cancel the appointment.

Fees for medical examination: New appointees.

178A. Where the medical examination of a person who is an applicant for appointment to the Service is to be conducted by a Commonwealth Medical Officer who is an officer of the Public Service, the person to be examined shall, unless otherwise determined by the Board, pay a fee of ten shillings and sixpence prior to the examination to an officer authorized to receive payment, who shall forward the amount to the Collector of Public Moneys, Department of Health.

Persons declining appointments or falling to reply.

179. (1) If any person declines to accept an appointment which is offered to him, his name may thereupon be removed from the Register.

(2) The name of a candidate may also be removed from the Register if he fails to reply within seven days to any communication from the Board, a Public Service Inspector or the Chief Officer of a Department, respecting his nomination to the Service, addressed to him at his last-known place of residence.

Telephonists to be tested.

180. (1) Every person appointed to the position of Telephonist shall, after the expiration of three months from the date of his appointment, be tested by some person nominated by the Chief Officer in the following matters:—

(a) clearness of speech and acuteness of hearing over a telephone line; and

(b) practical efficiency in the operation of a telephone switchboard.

(2) If he fails to pass the test his services shall be dispensed with.

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Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by H. J. Green, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.

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