STATUTORY RULES.
1926. No. 9.
REGULATIONS UNDER THE COMMONWEALTH PUBLIC SERVICE ACT 1922–1924 (SECOND AMENDMENT, 1926).
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 amendment of the Regulations, such amendment to come into operation from the 1st July, 1924.
Dated this eighth day of January, 1926.
C. B. B. White, Chairman, | Board of Commissioners. |
J. P. McGlinn, Commissioner, |
W. J. Clemens, Deputy Commissioner, |
Approved in Executive Council this thirteenth day of January, 1926.
STONEHAVEN,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
C. W. C. MARR,
for Prime Minister.
Amendment of Commonwealth Public Service Regulations.
(Statutory Rules 1923, No. 93, as amended to this date.)
Regulation 105a is amended by inserting after paragraph (p) in sub-regulation (1) the following additional paragraph:—
(q) An officer occupying, in the Department of Health, an office of Technical Assistant, Grade 1, shall not be advanced in salary beyond £276 per annum unless—
(1) the Board is satisfied as to his efficiency and aptitude for the work of the Section in which he is employed; and
(2) the officer has furnished evidence to the satisfaction of the Board that—
(i) he is engaged upon an approved course of study in subjects relating to the work of his Section and is making satisfactory progress therein; or
(ii) he has obtained the diploma of an approved Technical College in Chemistry or possesses qualifications which in the opinion of the Board are at least equal to the diploma standard.
On compliance with conditions (1) and (2) (i) the officer may advance by annual increments to a maximum of £312 per annum. On compliance with conditions (1) and (2) (ii) the officer shall, if an adult, be paid not less than £288 per annum, and may advance by annual increments to £348 per annum. Advancement beyond £348 per annum shall be dependent upon the officer having passed an examination in subjects, including Bacteriology and Immunity, to be approved by the Board.
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by H. J. Green, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.88—Price 3d.
Overview
The Regulations under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922–1924 (Second Amendment, 1926) aim to address a specific gap in the salary advancement criteria for Technical Assistants in the Department of Health. Enacted by the Board of Commissioners and approved by the Governor-General, these amendments were made to ensure that salary advancements are contingent upon not only the efficiency and aptitude of the officer but also their engagement in relevant studies or qualifications. This amendment introduces new conditions under which Technical Assistants can progress in their salaries, requiring evidence of ongoing education or qualifications in relevant fields, thus aligning their professional development with their career advancement within the public service.
Scope and Application
The Regulations under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1922–1924, as amended, apply to officers within the Commonwealth public service, specifically targeting those in the Department of Health who hold the position of Technical Assistant, Grade 1. These regulations outline specific conditions and criteria for salary advancement for these officers, mandating that they meet certain efficiency, aptitude, and educational requirements set by the Board of Commissioners. The amendments to the regulations came into effect from 1 July 1924, subject to the approval of the Governor-General. Officers must demonstrate either engagement in an approved course of study relevant to their work or possess qualifications equivalent to a diploma from an approved Technical College in Chemistry to qualify for salary increments. Additionally, the regulations provide a pathway for officers to achieve higher salary brackets through passing an examination in subjects including Bacteriology and Immunity. The jurisdictional reach of these regulations is national, applying throughout the Commonwealth of Australia.
Key Provisions
The key provisions of this legislation, specifically Regulation 105a, establish specific conditions under which officers in the Department of Health, occupying a position as Technical Assistant, Grade 1, can receive salary advancements. As per section 105a(1)(q), officers can only be advanced in salary beyond £276 per annum if two conditions are met. First, the Board must be satisfied with the officer's efficiency and aptitude for the work of their section (section 105a(1)(q)(1)). Second, the officer must provide evidence satisfying the Board that they are either enrolled in an approved course of study related to their section's work and making satisfactory progress (section 105a(1)(q)(2)(i)), or they hold a diploma from an approved technical college in Chemistry, or have qualifications deemed at least equal to the diploma standard (section 105a(1)(q)(2)(ii)).
The officers must adhere to these conditions to be eligible for salary increments. For those pursuing an approved course of study, they can advance by annual increments up to a maximum of £312 per annum (section 105a(1)(q)(1)). For those who hold a diploma or equivalent qualifications, they must be paid at least £288 per annum and can advance by annual increments up to £348 per annum (section 105a(1)(q)(2)(ii)). However, any advancement beyond £348 per annum is contingent upon the officer passing an examination in subjects including Bacteriology and Immunity, which must be approved by the Board (section 105a(1)(q)(2)(ii)).
The legislation imposes clear obligations on the officers to demonstrate their professional development and competency. The requirement for officers to provide evidence of their educational pursuits or qualifications ensures that the public service maintains a skilled workforce. Additionally, the Board's role in assessing efficiency, aptitude, and educational progress underscores the importance of merit-based advancement within the Department of Health.
Failure to comply with the conditions stipulated in the regulation may lead to various consequences. The most direct consequence is the inability to advance in salary beyond the specified amounts. Additionally, while the legislation does not explicitly detail criminal or civil penalties for non-compliance, it does imply that adherence to these conditions is mandatory. Officers who do not meet the specified criteria for salary advancement may face professional stagnation, which could impact their career progression within the public service.