Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1925, No. 67, are Regulations under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1924 (Thirteenth Amendment, 1925). Enacted by the Board of Commissioners and subsequently approved by the Governor-General, these regulations aim to amend the existing Commonwealth Public Service Regulations, effective from 1 July 1924. This legislative instrument addresses a gap in the salary and trade designation criteria for artisans within the Commonwealth public service. The policy objective is to establish a structured remuneration and progression system for apprentices and artisans, ensuring fair compensation based on age and trade proficiency.

Scope and Application

The Thirteenth Amendment to the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations, made under the authority of the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1924, introduces changes effective from 1st July 1924. These regulations pertain to the salary structure and career progression of artisans within the Commonwealth Public Service. The amendment specifically details salary increments for various trades, including blacksmiths, carpenters, coachbuilders, and others, based on age and experience, with particular attention to regional variations in salary levels. The scope of these regulations applies to individuals who are artisans within the Commonwealth Public Service, ensuring that their remuneration and career progression are standardised and transparent. The amendment extends to various states and territories across Australia, reflecting the national scope of the public service regulations. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the provided text, implying that the regulations apply broadly to all eligible artisans within the public service. The Board of Commissioners, empowered by the Commonwealth Public Service Act, made these amendments subject to the approval of the Governor-General, which was granted, ensuring the legal validity and enforceability of these changes.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Commonwealth Public Service Regulations, 1925, are contained in Sub-regulation (4) of regulation 106, specifically in Table C. This amendment introduces new salary scales for artisans within the public service. The amendment adds a new category for artisans, detailing the minimum and maximum salaries for various roles, as well as annual increments based on age and skill level. For example, an apprentice blacksmith's salary starts at £90 and increases to £280 by the age of 20, subject to passing a relevant test (reg. 106(4), Table C). The amendment also provides for senior positions with higher salaries, such as a Senior Blacksmith in Melbourne or Brisbane earning between £322 and £328, depending on location (reg. 106(4), Table C). The amendment imposes specific obligations on both the public service employees and the Board of Commissioners. For employees, the primary obligation is to pass the relevant trade tests to qualify for higher salary grades and designations (reg. 106(4), Table C). The Board of Commissioners is responsible for implementing these salary scales and ensuring that they are adhered to within the public service. This involves setting and adjusting the salary increments annually based on the employees' age and skill levels as outlined in the regulations (reg. 106(4), Table C). Failure to comply with the provisions of the Thirteenth Amendment could result in disciplinary action against public service employees who do not pass the required trade tests, potentially affecting their eligibility for higher salary grades. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the amendment, they would likely align with the disciplinary measures available under the broader Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922-1924. Additionally, the Board of Commissioners may face scrutiny or need to justify any deviations from the established salary scales if they fail to implement the amendment correctly.