Public Service Regulations (Amendment)

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1975 No.54

REGULATION UNDER THE PUBLIC SERVICE ACT 1922-1974.*

THE PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD, acting in pursuance and exercise of the authority conferred upon it by the Public Service Act 1922-1974, hereby makes, subject to the approval of the Governor-General, the following Regulation.

Dated this twenty-fifth day of March, 1975.

Chairman.

Commissioner.

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL of Australia, acting with the advice of the Executive Council, hereby approve the following Regulation.

Dated this twenty-seventh day of March, 1975.

John R. Kerr

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

Minister of State for Minerals and Energy

for and on behalf of the

Prime Minister.

Amendment of the Public Service Regulations†

Regulation 97c of the Public Service Regulations is amended by omitting sub-regulations (3) to (7) inclusive and substituting the following sub-regulations:—

Allowance io respect of high electricity charges in remote districts.

“ (3) Where—

(a) an officer to whom this regulation applies has paid the charges for the supply of electricity during a quarterly charging period, a two-monthly charging period or a monthly charging period; and

(b) the amount of those charges exceeds the contribution applicable in relation to the officer in respect of a quarterly charging period, a two-monthly charging period or a monthly charging period, as the case requires,

the officer is, subject to and in accordance with this regulation, entitled to receive an allowance equal to the amount of the excess.

* Notified in the Australian Government Gazette on 8 April 1975.

† Statutory Rules 1935, No. 18. as amended to date. For previous amendments of the Public Service Regulations see footnote † to Statutory Rules 1075, No. 17, and see also Statutory Rules 1975 Nos. 13 and 33.

11608/75—Recommended retail price 8c 10/20.3.1975

“ (4) The amount of the contribution applicable in relation to an officer in respect of a quarterly charging period, a two-monthly charging period or a monthly charging period is the amount ascertained by reference to Part A, Part Β or Part C, as the case requires, of the following Table:—

Part A—Quarterly Charging Period

Units of electricity used during a quarter	Officer’s Contribution
	$
Below 480.....................................................	18.45
480-509......................................................	19.20
510-539......................................................	20.40
540-569......................................................	21.60
570-599......................................................	22.80
600-629......................................................	24.00
630-659......................................................	25.20
660-689......................................................	26.40
690-719......................................................	27.60
720-749......................................................	28.80
750-779......................................................	30.00
780-809......................................................	31.20
810-839......................................................	32.40
840-869......................................................	33.60
870-899......................................................	34.80
900-929......................................................	36.00
930-959......................................................	37.20
960-989......................................................	38.40
990-1019.....................................................	39.60
1020-1049.....................................................	40.80
1050-1079.....................................................	42.00
1080-1109.....................................................	43.20
1110-1139.....................................................	44.40
1140-1169.....................................................	45.60
1170-1199.....................................................	46.80
1200-........................................................	48.00

Part Β—Two Monthly Charging Period

Units of electricity used during two months	Officer’s Contribution
	$
Below 320.....................................................	12.30
320-339.......................................................	12.80
340-359.......................................................	13.60
360-379.......................................................	14.40
380-399.......................................................	15.20
400-419.......................................................	16.00
420-439.......................................................	16.80
440-459.......................................................	17.60
460-479.......................................................	18.40
480-499.......................................................	19.20
500-519.......................................................	20.00
520-539.......................................................	20.80
540-559.......................................................	21.60
560-579.......................................................	22.40
580-599.......................................................	23.20
600-619.......................................................	24.00
620-639.......................................................	24.80
640-659.......................................................	25.60
660-679.......................................................	26.40
680-699.......................................................	27.20
700-719.......................................................	28.00
720-739.......................................................	28.80
740-759.......................................................	29.60
760-779.......................................................	30.40
780-799.......................................................	31.20
800-..........................................................	32.00

Part C—Monthly Charging Period

Units of electricity used during a month	Officer’s Contribution
	$
Below 160.................................................	6.15
160-169..................................................	6.40
170-179..................................................	6.80
180-189..................................................	7.20
190-199..................................................	7.60
200-209..................................................	8.00
210-219..................................................	8.40
220-229..................................................	8.80
230-239..................................................	9.20
240-249..................................................	9.60
250-259..................................................	10.00
260-269..................................................	10.40
270-279..................................................	10.80
280-289..................................................	11.20
290-299..................................................	11.60
300-309..................................................	12.00
310-319..................................................	12.40
320-329..................................................	12.80
330-339..................................................	13.20
340-349..................................................	13.60
350-359..................................................	14.00
360-369..................................................	14.40
370-379..................................................	14.80
380-389..................................................	15.20
390-399..................................................	15.60
400-.....................................................	16.00

“ (5) No allowance is payable to an officer in respect of electricity supplied in any one charging period, in excess of—

(a) where an electric hot water service is used in the premises in which the officer ordinarily resides—1200 units in any one quarterly charging period, 800 units in any one two-monthly charging period or 400 units in any one monthly charging period; or

(b) in any other case—900 units in any one quarterly charging period, 600 units in any one two-monthly charging period or 300 units in any one monthly charging period.

“ (6) No allowance is payable to an officer under this regulation if the amount calculated in accordance with sub-regulation (3) in relation to the officer would be less than $3 in any one quarterly charging period, $2 in any one two-monthly charging period or $1 in any one monthly charging period, as the case may be.

“ (7) An officer who is responsible for the payment of charges imposed by an electricity supply authority for the supply of electricity over a period that is less than a charging period is entitled to be paid an allowance in respect of each day of the first-mentioned period calculated at the rate of—

(a) in relation to a quarterly charging period—one ninetieth;

(b) in relation to a two-monthly charging period—one sixtieth; or

of the allowance that, would have been payable to the officer under this regulation if electricity had been supplied during the whole of the charging period at the same rate as the rate of supply for the first-mentioned period.”

_______________________

Printed by Authority by the Government Printer of Australia

Overview

The Public Service Regulations 1975, made under the Public Service Act 1922-1974, aim to address the issue of providing financial assistance to public service officers for electricity charges in remote areas. Enacted by the Public Service Board and approved by the Governor-General, these regulations ensure that officers who incur high electricity charges due to their remote locations receive an allowance for the excess amount over the standard contribution rates. This allowance aims to alleviate the financial burden faced by officers residing in areas with higher energy consumption needs. The regulations specify contribution rates based on the units of electricity used over different periods and outline the conditions under which an allowance is payable, including maximum units of electricity eligible for allowance and minimum allowance thresholds. This legislative instrument seeks to provide equitable compensation to public service officers, ensuring fair treatment and support in areas with unique living conditions.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1975 No. 54, made under the Public Service Act 1922-1974, outlines specific amendments to the Public Service Regulations, most notably to Regulation 97c concerning allowances for electricity charges in remote districts. This regulation applies to officers within the public service who have paid electricity charges exceeding the applicable contribution for a specified charging period. Eligible officers can receive an allowance equivalent to the amount of the excess charges, subject to certain conditions and thresholds. The allowance is calculated by comparing the actual charges paid by the officer to the predetermined contribution based on the units of electricity used over a quarterly, two-monthly, or monthly charging period. Notably, the regulation excludes allowances for excessive usage where an electric hot water service is used and sets a minimum allowance threshold to prevent negligible claims. Additionally, officers responsible for partial period payments receive prorated allowances. The regulation's application extends nationally across Australia, targeting federal public service officers. It does not explicitly mention exclusions or exemptions, but allowances are contingent on the officers meeting the specified conditions. The regulation’s scope can potentially be expanded or refined through further subordinate instruments under the authority of the Public Service Act.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Regulation under the Public Service Act 1922-1974, as detailed in Statutory Rules 1975 No. 54, involve the amendment of Regulation 97c concerning allowances for high electricity charges in remote districts. Specifically, sub-regulations (3) to (7) inclusive have been omitted and replaced. According to this amendment, an officer is entitled to an allowance if they have paid electricity charges exceeding a certain contribution threshold (Section 97c(3)). The amount of the allowance is determined by comparing the paid charges against a predefined contribution, which varies based on the units of electricity used and the charging period (Section 97c(4)). Furthermore, the Regulation stipulates maximum units of electricity for which an allowance can be paid, distinguishing between cases where an electric hot water service is used and those where it is not (Section 97c(5)). It also sets a minimum allowance amount below which no allowance is payable (Section 97c(6)). Lastly, it addresses the calculation of allowances for periods shorter than a standard charging period (Section 97c(7)). The Regulation imposes several obligations on officers to ensure compliance with the amended provisions. Officers must verify that their electricity charges are accurately recorded and that they fall within the stipulated limits for allowance entitlement. They must also ensure that any claims for allowances are based on the correct comparison with the contribution thresholds provided in the Regulation. Additionally, officers must adhere to the maximum units of electricity specified for allowance eligibility, as outlined in the amended sub-regulations. Failure to meet these obligations could result in the denial of allowances that would otherwise be payable. In terms of consequences for breach, the Regulation does not explicitly state any offences or penalties. However, non-compliance with the prescribed allowances and thresholds could lead to administrative issues or disputes regarding the legitimacy of allowance claims. Officers found to have inaccurately claimed allowances might be required to repay any overpayments, potentially leading to financial repercussions. Although the Regulation does not detail specific penalties, the importance of adhering to the outlined provisions is underscored by the structured allowance framework intended to ensure fairness and accuracy in electricity charge reimbursements.

Area of Law: Administrative Law
Instrument: Regulation
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Reporting & Disclosure Obligations; Administrative Discretion; Compliance Obligations

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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.

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