Commonwealth Public Service Regulations (Amendment)

Legislation au C1912L00139 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

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STATUTORY RULES.

1912. No. 139.

 

REGULATION UNDER THE COMMONWEALTH PUBLIC SERVICE ACT 1902.

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulation under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902 to come into operation forthwith.

Dated the 4th day of July, One thousand nine hundred and twelve.

DENMAN,

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

KING O’MALLEY,

Minister of State for Home Affairs.

_____________

Regulation No. 104 made under the provisions of the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902 is repealed, and a new Regulation in the following terms is made in lieu thereof:—

104. The General Division shall be arranged in grades as set forth in the following schedule. Except where otherwise provided the limits of salary to be paid an officer occupying any office designated in such schedule shall be those prescribed therein in respect to such office. The Governor- General may from time to time, upon the recommendation of the Commissioner, create any office in the General Division not designated in the following schedule and fix the grade in which the officer occupying such position shall be placed or may raise the grading of any office, and thereupon the schedule shall be deemed to have been amended by the inclusion of the office so created or raised.

Schedule.

Grade.

Minimum Salary of Grade.

Increments.

Maximum Salary of Grade.

Office.

Remarks.

 

£

£

£

 

 

I.

39

13

60

Cadet Mechanic

 

 

 

8*

..

Telegraph Messenger

 

 

 

(Annual)

 

 

May be advanced to the next higher grade after one year’s service at the maximum

 

 

 

 

Messenger...........

 

 

 

 

Telephonist..........

 

 

 

 

 

* Increment in the case of Telegraph Messengers conditional on passing a test in sending and receiving telegraph messages at the rate of twenty words per minute.

C.8812.—Price 3d.


Schedulecontinued.

Grade.

Minimum Salary of Grade.

Increments.

Maximum Salary of Grade.

Office

Remarks.

 

£

£

£

 

\

Provided that an officer of 21 years of age or over may be paid salary at the rate of £110 per annum, but the payment of such salary under this provision shall not be taken into consideration for purposes of seniority or future advancement

II.

72

12

110

Boy on Launch.......

 

 

12

 

Female Assistant (Printing)

 

 

14

 

 

 

(Annual)

 

Female Assistant (Quarantine)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lift Attendant.......

 

 

 

 

Mail Boy...........

 

 

 

 

Messenger..........

 

 

 

 

Pension Receipt Sorter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes Sorter.........

 

 

 

 

Telephonist.........

 

 

 

 

 

 

May be advanced to the next higher grade  after two years’ service at maximum, provided that salary at the rate of £126 per annum may be paid officers 21 years of age or over, but the payment of such salary under this provision shall not be taken into consideration for purposes of seniority or future advancement

 

 

 

 

Assistant...........

 

 

 

 

Batteryman.........

 

 

 

 

Groom............

 

 

 

 

Junior Mechanic*.....

 

 

 

 

Labourer...........

 

 

 

 

Letter Carrier........

 

 

 

 

Mail Driver.........

 

 

 

 

Office Cleaner.......

 

 

 

 

Postal Assistant†

 

 

 

 

Typist.............

 

 

 

 

Watchman..........

 

 

 

 

III.

.....

.....

126

Groom

May be advanced to next higher grade after two years’ service in Grade III

 

 

 

 

Labourer

 

 

 

 

Office Cleaner

 

 

 

 

Watchman

 

 

 

 

Assistant............

 

 

 

 

Batteryman..........

 

 

 

 

Blacksmith’s Striker

 

 

 

 

Boatman............

 

 

 

 

Female Supervisor (Printing)

* Junior Mechanics may, after reaching the age of 21 years, and upon evidence by examination of efficiency, be advanced to Grade V. as Mechanics.

† Designation to apply only to officers in positions where telegraphic qualifications are required. An officer, upon evidence of telegraphic efficiency at the rate of 22 words per minute, may be advanced to the next higher grade after one year’s service at maximum.


Schedulecontinued.

Grade.

Minimum Salary of Grade.

Increments.

Maximum Salary of Grade.

Office.

Remarks.

 

£

£

£

 

 

May be advanced to next higher grade after two years’ service in Grade III.

III.—

 

 

 

Fireman...........

cont.

 

 

 

Junior Mechanic*.....

 

 

 

 

Letter Carrier........

 

 

 

 

Lineman...........

 

 

 

 

Magazine Storeman

 

 

 

 

Mail Driver.........

 

 

 

 

Monitor...........

 

 

 

 

Pole Dresser........

 

 

 

 

Postal Assistant†.....

 

 

 

 

Searcher and Watchman

 

 

 

 

Senior Messenger.....

 

 

 

 

Storeman..........

 

 

 

 

Typist.............

 

 

 

 

 

IV.

132

6

138

Motor Mail Driver

May be advanced to next higher grade after one year’s service at maximum

 

 

(Annual)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

Assistant...........

 

After at least two years’ service at maximum may be granted a further increment of £6, and after an additional two years’ service a further increment of £6

 

 

(Biennial)

 

Batteryman.........

 

 

 

 

Blacksmith’s Striker...

 

 

 

 

Boatman...........

 

 

 

 

Caretaker..........

 

 

 

 

Female Supervisor (Printing)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fireman...........

 

 

 

 

Junior Mechanic......

 

 

 

 

Letter Carrier........

 

 

 

 

Lineman...........

 

 

 

 

Magazine Storeman

 

 

 

 

Mail Driver.........

 

 

 

 

Monitor...........

 

 

 

 

Pole Dresser........

 

 

 

 

Postal Assistant......

 

 

 

 

Searcher and Watchman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Messenger.....

 

 

 

 

Storeman..........

 

 

 

 

Typist.............

* Junior Mechanics may, after reaching the age of 21 years, and upon evidence by examination of efficiency, be advanced to Grade V. as Mechanics.

† Designation to apply only to officers in positions where telegraphic qualifications are required. An officer upon evidence of telegraphic efficiency at the rate of 22 words per minute may be advanced to the next higher grade after one year’s service at maximum.


Schedulecontinued.

Grade.

Minimum Salary of Grade.

Increments.

Maximum Salary of Grade.

Office.

Remarks.

 

£

£

£

 

 

V.

144

6

156

Assistant Armourer

 

 

 

(Annual)

 

Blacksmith

 

 

 

 

Caretaker

 

 

 

 

Carpenter, Ship

 

 

 

 

Coxswain

 

 

 

 

Engine Driver

 

 

 

 

Farrier

 

 

 

 

Foreman Batteryman

 

 

 

 

Foreman Labourer

 

 

 

 

Foreman Storeman

 

 

 

 

French Polisher

 

 

 

 

Groom, in charge

 

 

 

 

Lineman (in charge of office)

 

 

 

 

Machinist

 

 

 

 

Magazine Storeman

 

 

 

 

Mason

 

 

 

 

Mechanic

 

 

 

 

Motor Mail Driver

 

 

 

 

Painter

 

 

 

 

Painter and Writer

 

 

 

 

Saddler

 

 

 

 

Saddler and Harnessmaker

 

 

 

 

Sailmaker

 

 

 

 

Senior Lineman

 

 

 

 

Supervisor

 

 

 

 

Waggon Repairer

 

 

 

 

Wheeler and Carpenter

 

 

 

 

 

Foreman (Mail Branch)

 

May be advanced to the next higher grade after one year’s service at maximum subject to evidence to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of efficiency

 

 

 

 

Senior Assistant......

 

 

 

 

Senior Postal Assistant..

 

 

 

 

Ship Mailman.......

 

 

 

 

Sorter.............

 

 

 

 

 


Schedulecontinued.

Grade.

Minimum Salary of Grade.

Increments.

Maximum Salary of Grade.

Office.

Remarks.

 

£

£

£

 

 

VI.

162

6

168

Armourer

 

 

(Annual)

 

Caretaker

 

 

 

 

Carpenter.

 

 

 

 

Engine-driver and Fitter

 

 

 

 

Foreman Batteryman

 

 

 

 

Foreman (Mail Branch)

 

 

 

 

Foreman Painter

 

 

 

 

Foreman Saddler

 

 

 

 

Foreman Saddler and Harnessmaker

 

 

 

 

Foreman Sailmaker

 

 

 

 

Foreman Storeman

 

 

 

 

Motor Mechanic

 

 

 

 

Senior Assistant

 

 

 

 

Senior Machinist

 

 

 

 

Senior Postal Assistant

 

 

 

 

Ship Mailman

 

 

 

 

Sorter

 

 

 

 

Supervisor

 

 

 

 

Line Foreman........

May be advanced to next higher grade after one year’s service at  maximum

 

 

 

 

Senior Mechanic......

 

 

 

 

Telephone Inspector

VII.

174

6

180

Armourer

 

 

 

(Annual)

 

Caretaker

 

 

 

 

Engine-driver and Fitter

Foreman, Assistant (Quarantine)

Foreman Carpenter

Foreman Engine-driver

Foreman Painter

Foreman Storeman

Line Foreman

Ministerial Messenger

Overseer of Letter Carriers

Senior Assistant

Senior Mechanic


Schedulecontinued.

Grade.

Minimum Salary of Grade.

Increments.

Maximum Salary of Grade

Office.

Remarks.

 

£

£

£

 

 

VII.

 

 

 

Senior Postal Assistant

cont.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Sorter

 

 

 

 

Shipping Patrol Officer

 

 

 

 

Telephone Inspector

 

 

 

 

Tipstaff

VIII.

192

6

210

Armourer

 

 

 

(Annual)

 

Assistant Supervisor of Publications

 

 

 

 

Detective

 

 

 

 

Exchange Foreman

 

 

 

 

Foreman Mechanic

 

 

 

 

Foreman Engine-driver

 

 

 

 

Line Inspector

 

 

 

 

Mechanician

 

 

 

 

Telephone Inspector

 

 

 

 

Mail Officer.........

May be advanced to the next higher grade after one year’s service at maximum

IX.

216

6

228

Armourer

 

 

 

(Annual)

 

Foreman Mechanic

 

 

 

 

Line Inspector

 

 

 

 

Mail Officer

 

 

 

 

Mechanician

 

 

 

 

Telephone Inspector

X.

..

..

240

Armourer

 

 

 

 

 

Foreman Mechanic

 

 

 

 

Line Inspector

 

 

 

 

Mechanician

 

 

 

 

Telephone Inspector

XI.

252

..

276

Engineer (Electric Light)

No increments will be granted in respect of positions classified in this grade ; the salary of the officer to be fixed at a sum within the limits of the grade

 

 

 

 

Exchange Foreman

 

 

 

 

Line Inspector.......

 

 

 

 

Mechanician........

 

 

 

 

Stables Manager......

 

 

 

 

Supervisor of Publications

 

 

 

 

Telephone Inspector


Schedule—continued.

Grade.

Minimum Salary of Grade.

Increments.

Maximum Salary of Grade.

Office.

Remarks.

 

£

£

£

 

No increments will be granted in respect of positions classified in this grade; the salary of the officer to be fixed at a sum within the limits of the grade

XII.

282

..

348

Line-Inspector.......

 

 

 

 

Mechanician........

 

 

 

 

Overseer (Stamp Printing)

Except where otherwise provided advancement from grade to grade beyond Grade V. shall be dependent upon the occurrence of vacancies in the higher grades, or upon alteration of the classification of an office, the duties of which have materially changed.

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Regulation, in any case where an increment to an officer would be deferred, owing to the provisions of the Regulation, beyond the date upon which it would have otherwise accrued, the Commissioner may grant the increment from such date.

The grade of an officer under the provisions of this Regulation shall be that corresponding to his designation, provided that any officer who is receiving at the date of this Regulation a salary less than the minimum amount of such grade, may be granted annual additions of salary of an amount to be determined by the Commissioner until the salary reaches such minimum.

Notwithstanding anything in the schedule contained in this Regulation in any case where the Governor-General, on the recommendation of the Commissioner, directs that can office shall be classified in any particular grade, the officer occupying such office may, subject to the approval of the Commissioner, be advanced to the minimum salary of such grade.

 

2. This Regulation supersedes the Provisional Regulation dated the 4th April, 1912 (Statutory Rules 1912, No. 75).

 

Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Acting Government Printer for the State of Victoria.

Overview

The Commonwealth Public Service Regulation 1912 was introduced to establish a structured grading system for officers within the General Division of the Commonwealth Public Service, as stipulated under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902. Enacted by the Governor-General in accordance with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, this regulation aims to standardise the salary scales and conditions of service for various public service roles. It provides a framework for classifying positions into different grades, establishing minimum, maximum, and incremental salary limits for each grade, and outlining the criteria for potential advancements within these grades. This structured approach ensures a systematic and fair method for managing public service officers' remuneration and career progression. The regulation was designed to address the need for a clear and consistent structure within the public service, allowing for efficient administration and equitable treatment of employees. By specifying the conditions under which officers may be advanced to higher grades, it aims to provide a transparent pathway for career development based on performance and qualifications. The regulation supersedes previous provisional regulations, reflecting an effort to refine and formalise the public service structure in line with evolving administrative needs.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1912, No. 139, made under the Commonwealth Public Service Act 1902, establish new regulations governing the General Division of the Commonwealth Public Service. These regulations dictate the grading of various officer positions within the General Division, setting out the minimum, maximum, and incremental salaries for each grade and office. The Governor-General, upon recommendation from the Commissioner, has the authority to create new positions, raise the grading of existing offices, or adjust salaries within the prescribed limits. Advancement between grades is generally contingent on service duration and, in some cases, performance tests or efficiency examinations. Notably, the regulations permit the payment of certain salaries at rates exceeding the standard increments, though such payments do not affect an officer's seniority or future advancement prospects. This regulation replaces the previous Provisional Regulation from April 1912, ensuring that the grading structure and salary details are updated and uniformly applied across the Commonwealth Public Service.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of this legislation pertain to the arrangement of the General Division into various grades, as detailed in the schedule (section 1). The schedule outlines the minimum, maximum, and increment salaries for each grade and office. The Governor-General has the authority to create new offices or adjust the grade of existing offices, with the Commissioner’s recommendation (section 1). This regulation also outlines the conditions for advancement between grades, such as the duration of service and age requirements (section 1). The obligations imposed by this Act primarily concern the payment of salaries according to the designated grades and the conditions under which officers can be advanced to higher grades. Officers must meet specific service durations and, in some cases, demonstrate efficiency through tests or examinations (section 1). Furthermore, the Commissioner has the discretion to grant salary increments even if they would otherwise be deferred (section 1). Breaching the provisions of this regulation may result in civil or criminal consequences, although specific offences and penalties are not detailed within the text. The regulation primarily focuses on the structured classification of positions and the criteria for salary adjustments and advancements, without explicitly stating penalties for non-compliance. The regulation does, however, allow for flexibility in certain circumstances, such as granting salary increments if they are deferred beyond the due date (section 1).

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Public Sector Employment
Instrument
Regulation
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Salary and Grading Structure
Advancement and Increments

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.