Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Commonwealth of Australia, through the Department of Home Affairs, introduced the Amendment of Public Service Regulation 145 in 1903. This legislative instrument, numbered C2004L09679, was enacted to address specific procedural and eligibility criteria for examinations held under section 21(6) of the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902. The aim was to standardise and formalise the examination process for public service officers, ensuring a consistent and fair assessment framework. The Governor-General, in consultation with the Executive Council, approved this amendment to the regulations, which now mandates that examinations be held annually and conducted by authorised personnel, with appropriate notice published in the Commonwealth Gazette. This legislative amendment was designed to uphold the integrity and efficiency of the public service by establishing clear guidelines for examinations. It sets the eligibility criteria for candidates, requiring them to be at least twenty years old, and outlines the specific subjects and conditions they must pass to qualify for the public service salary. By specifying the required subjects and allowing for certain flexibility in examination topics, the regulation seeks to ensure that public service officers possess the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their duties effectively.

Scope and Application

The Legislative Instrument pertains to the amendment of Regulation 145 of the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902, specifically addressing the examinations conducted under section 21(6) of the Act. It applies to officers of the Commonwealth Public Service who are twenty years of age or older and are eligible to participate in the examinations held annually, as directed by the Commissioner. These examinations are intended to ensure that officers possess a comprehensive skill set, including proficiency in various subjects such as precis writing, letter writing, shorthand, and knowledge of departmental acts and regulations. The amendment allows for flexibility by permitting the Commissioner to direct that officers be examined in alternative subjects in special cases. The geographic reach of this legislation is national, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia, and is overseen by the Department of Home Affairs in Melbourne. The Act does not explicitly state exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but the eligibility criteria inherently set a minimum age and require fulfilment of specific conditions to qualify for the public service salary.

Key Provisions

The Legislative Instrument outlines specific amendments to Regulation 145 of the Public Service Regulations under Section 21(6) of the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902. The primary change involves the frequency and conduct of examinations, which are now to be held once every twelve months (Regulation 145). These examinations must be overseen by an Inspector, the Examiner, or a person authorised by the Commissioner and must be advertised in the Commonwealth Gazette (Regulation 145). Eligibility for these exams is limited to officers who are at least twenty years of age on the set examination date (Regulation 145). Additionally, candidates must pass the examination in eight subjects: precis writing, letter writing, making fair copies, handwriting and dictation, shorthand, typewriting, knowledge of departmental acts and regulations, and practical questions related to their branch (Regulation 145). The amended Regulation imposes clear obligations on public service officers, requiring them to participate in these annual examinations to qualify for a specific salary of £110 per annum (Regulation 145). The Commissioner has the authority to determine the subjects of the examination, which typically include the specified eight subjects, but may also include others in special cases (Regulation 145). The regulation ensures that only those who meet the specified examination criteria can be considered for the stated salary, thus enforcing a standard of competency and adherence to departmental requirements among public service officers. Breach of these provisions or failure to meet the examination requirements does not explicitly outline specific civil or criminal penalties within the text. However, non-compliance with the stipulated examination criteria and requirements could result in the officer not qualifying for the £110 per annum salary, which is a significant financial and professional consequence. The regulation's purpose is to maintain a high standard of professional competence within the public service by ensuring that all officers meet the required standards before being eligible for the specified salary.