Public Service Regulations (Amendment)

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STATUTORY RULES.

1963. No. 4.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE PUBLIC SERVICE ACT 1922-1960.*

THE PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD, acting in pursuance and exercise of the authority conferred upon it by the Public Service Act 1922-1960, hereby makes, subject to the approval of the Governor-General, the following Regulations.

Dated this nineteenth day of December,1962.

F. H. WHEELER

Chairman.

K. E. GRAINGER

Commissioner.

J. E. COLLINGS

Commissioner.

I, The Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby approve the following Regulations.

Dated this twenty-second day of January,1963.

DE L'ISLE

Governor-General.

By His Excellency's Command,

GORDON FREETH

Minister of State for the Interior for and on behalf of the

Prime Minister.

Amendments of the Public Service Regulations.†

1. Division II. of Part III. of the Public Service Regulations is repealed and the following Division inserted in its stead:—

"Division IIMode of Travelling.

Method of travel.

"83—(1) The Chief Officer may, by writing under his hand, direct the means by which an officer, employee or the wife or family of an officer or employee the cost of whose conveyance is payable by the Commonwealth shall travel.

* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 30th January, 1963.

† Statutory Rules 1935, No. 18, as amended by Statutory Rules 1935, Nos. 44, 72, 78 and 119; 1936, Nos. 5, 55, 76, 88, 106, 116, 143 and 154; 1937, Nos. 11, 25, 54, 60, 74, 78, 87, 100, 103 and 118; 1938, Nos. 35, 41, 79, 105, 110 and 113; 1939, Nos. 4, 36, 52, 62, 65, 105, 154, 167 and 168; 1940, Nos. 23, 74, 110, 143 and 247: 1941, Nos. 36, 42, 127, 148, 158, 168, 191, 224, 284 and 310; 1942, Nos. 45, 167, 174, 182, 225, 320, 465, 466 and 552; 1943, Nos. 271, 272 and 301; 1944, Nos. 6, 132, 138 and 143; 1945, Nos. 15, 35, 115, 118 and 124; 1946, Nos. 22, 68, 120, 124 and 153; 1947, Nos. 1, 2, 122, 123, 134, 146, 147, 158 and 163; 1948, Nos. 32, 49, 68, 71, 97, 149, 157 and 158; 1949, Nos. 1, 81, 84 and 98; 1950, Nos. 73, 88, 99 and 100; 1951, Nos. 13, 33, 77 and 110; 1952, Nos. 9, 19, 51 and 94; 1953, Nos. 2, 20, 47, 51, 70 and 93; 1954, Nos. 12, 57, 94, 103 and 126; 1955, Nos. 43, 48 and 67; 1956, Nos. 48, 49, 50 and 133; 1957, Nos. 22 and 58; 1958, Nos. 37 and 57; 1959, Nos. 11, 16, 42, 68 and 99; 1960, Nos. 12, 18, 33, 73, 89 and 93; 1961, Nos. 35, 68, 69, 83, 87, 99, 114, 116, 125, 136 and 147; and 1962, Nos. 1, 21, 33, 39, 84 and 91.

1577/62.—Price 5d.


"(2.) A direction under the last preceding sub-regulation may specify different means of travel for different classes of officers or employees and different means of travel for different types of journeys.

"(3.) The Chief Officer may, notwithstanding a direction under the last preceding sub-regulation, specify the means by which a particular officer or employee shall travel on a particular journey.

Class of travelling accommodation to be provided.

"84.—(1.) Except as provided by the next succeeding sub-regulation, an officer who occupies an office the salary or the maximum salary payable in respect of which does not exceed £1,028 per annum, or an employee performing similar work to such an officer, the cost of whose conveyance is payable by the Commonwealth shall, if the travelling accommodation provided in the train, ship, aircraft or other means by which the officer or employee is directed to travel is divided into two or more classes, be provided with travelling accommodation in the lower class accommodation or, if more than two classes of accommodation are provided, the class of accommodation that is the second highest class of accommodation.

"(2.) An officer or employee—

(a) who is a female;

(b) who travels by ship on the coast of Queensland, the coast of Western Australia or the coast of the Northern Territory;

(c) who travels by train—

(i) on a journey north of latitude 22 degrees south; or

(ii) on a journey north of the Tropic of Capricorn having duration exceeding ten hours;

(d) who travels accompanied by his wife or family;

(e) who satisfies the Chief Officer that special circumstances exist that justify the officer or employee being exempted from the application of the last preceding sub-regulation; or

(f) who is an officer or employee other than an officer or employee referred to in the last preceding sub-regulation,

shall be provided with the highest class of accommodation provided in the train, ship, aircraft or other means by which the officer or employee is directed to travel.

"(3.) The wife or family of an officer or employee the cost of whose conveyance is payable by the Commonwealth shall be provided with the highest class of accommodation provided in the train, ship, aircraft or other means of travel.".

2. Regulation 90 of the Public Service Regulations is repealed and the following regulations are inserted in its stead:—

Allowances payable for use, for official purposes, of private vehicles.

"90.—(1.) The Chief Officer may authorize an officer to use for official purposes, during a period specified in the authority, his motor vehicle if the Chief Officer is satisfied that the use by the officer of the motor vehicle would result in greater efficiency or involve the Commonwealth in less expense than would be the case if public transport or a vehicle owned by the Commonwealth were used.


"(2.) An officer who uses his motor vehicle in pursuance of an authority given under the last preceding sub-regulation shall be paid an allowance for each mile that the vehicle travels for official purposes at whichever of the rates specified in the table in this sub-regulation is applicable.

Type of Vehicle.

Rate of payment per mile in any period of 12 months.

For each mile in the first 5,000 miles.

For every other mile.

 

 

 

Motor truck of 1 ton capacity or over ..........

1s. 4d.

11½d.

Motor truck of less than 1 ton capacity .........

The rate specified in this table for a motor car of the same horsepower plus¼ d. per mile.

Motor car the horsepower of which is 23 h.p. or over.

1s. 0½d.

9d.

Motor car the horsepower of which is less than 23 h.p. but is not less than 15 h.p. 

11d.

8d.

Motor car the horsepower of which is less than 15 h.p.

10d.

7d.

Motor cycle with side car ..................

6¼d.

4¼d.

Motor cycle ...........................

5¼d.

3½d.

" (3.) Where an officer satisfies the Board that the amount of the allowance payable under the last preceding sub-regulation and, where applicable, the amount of any additional allowance payable under regulation 90b of these Regulations, in a period of twelve months or, if the Board approves, in any other period, is insufficient to meet the amount of the expenses reasonably incurred in that period and paid by the officer by reason of the use of the motor vehicle for official purposes, the Board may grant to the officer an additional allowance equal to the amount by which the amount of those expenses exceeds the amount of the allowance.

Allowance for use of private vehicle on specified journeys.

"90a.—(1.) Where—

(a) an officer is entitled under regulation 119 of these Regulations to the actual cost of conveyance of himself or of himself and his family from one place to another;

(b) an officer, who is not authorized under the last preceding regulation to use his motor vehicle for official purposes, is required to travel for official purposes;

(c) an officer who has been temporarily transferred from one place to another and returns to the place in which he is permanently stationed for the purpose of taking recreation leave; or

(d) an officer is permanently stationed in a locality included in a determination made by the Board for the purposes of sub-regulation (3.) of regulation 49 of these Regulations and is entitled, under regulation 98 of these Regulations, to payment of an amount in respect of the cost of conveyance incurred by him in respect of a journey,

the Chief Officer may grant to the officer permission to use a motor vehicle owned or hired by the officer for travelling in whichever of the circumstances specified in this regulation is applicable to the officer if the Chief Officer is satisfied that the use by the officer of the motor vehicle will not


result in the officer taking more time on the journey than he would otherwise take if permission under this regulation were not granted or that the result of granting the permission would not otherwise be contrary to the interests of the Commonwealth.

"(2.) Subject to the next succeeding sub-regulation, an officer who uses a motor vehicle owned or hired by him in pursuance of a permission granted under the last preceding sub-regulation shall be paid an allowance for each mile that the vehicle travels in the circumstances in respect of which the permission has been granted at whichever of the rates specified in the table in this sub-regulation is applicable.

Type of Vehicle.

Rate of Payment per mile.

Motor truck of 1 ton capacity or over ..........

11½d.

Motor truck of less than 1 ton capacity .........

The rate specified on this table for a motor car of the same horsepower plus ¼. per mile.

Motor car the horsepower of which is 23 h.p. or over

9d.

Motor car the horsepower of which is less than 23 h.p. but is not less than 15 h.p  

8d.

Motor car the horsepower of which is less than 15 h.p

7d.

Motor cycle with side car ..................

4¼d.

Motor cycle ...........................

3½d.

Additional allowance where other passengers or goods are carried on behalf of the Commonwealth.

"90b. Where an officer to whom authority has been given under regulation 90 of these Regulations, or permission has been granted under the last preceding regulation, to use a motor vehicle owned or hired by him—

(a) transports in or on the motor vehicle a person or persons whose cost of conveyance would otherwise be borne by the Commonwealth;

(b) transports in or on the motor vehicle equipment, tools or materials weighing not less than two hundredweights and belonging to or hired by the Commonwealth; or

(c) hauls a caravan or trailer belonging to or hired by the Commonwealth,

to suit the convenience of his Department on a journey in respect of which he is entitled to payment of an allowance under whichever of the last two preceding regulations is applicable, the officer shall be paid, in addition to the allowance payable under whichever of those regulations is applicable, an allowance at the rate of one penny per mile for each mile of the journey.

Reduction of maximum amount of vehicle allowance in certain cases.

"90c.—(1.) Where—

(a) permission is granted under regulation 90a of these Regulations to an officer, other than an officer referred to in paragraph (a) of sub-regulation (1.) of that regulation, to use a motor vehicle owned or hired by him; and

(b) the amount of the allowance calculated in accordance with sub-regulation (2.) of that regulation exceeds the amount which would have been payable by the Commonwealth for the conveyance of the officer if the officer had not used the motor vehicle owned or hired by him,

the amount otherwise payable to the officer shall be reduced by the amount of the excess.


"(2.) Where—

(a) permission is granted under regulation 90a of these Regulations to an officer, other than an officer referred to in paragraph (a) of sub-regulation (1.) of that regulation, to use a motor vehicle owned or hired by him;

(b) the officer is entitled to payment of the additional allowance referred to in the last preceding regulation; and

(c) the sum of the amount of the allowance payable under sub-regulation (2.) of regulation 90a of these Regulations and the amount of the additional allowance payable under the last preceding regulation exceeds the amount which would have been payable by the Commonwealth for the conveyance of the officer, and—

(i) the other person or persons, or the goods; or

(ii) the other person or persons, and the goods,

if the officer had not used the motor vehicle owned or hired by him,

the amount otherwise payable to the officer shall be reduced by the amount of the excess.

Definition.

"90d. In regulations 90, 90a, 90b and 90c of these Regulations, 'officer' includes an employee.".

By Authority: A. J. Arthur, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.

1577/62—2

Overview

The Regulations under the Public Service Act 1922-1960, enacted by the Public Service Board in 1962 and subsequently approved by the Governor-General, were introduced to amend the existing travel and vehicle allowance provisions for public service officers and employees. The objective of these regulations was to provide clearer guidelines and more flexibility in determining the method and class of travel for officers and employees, as well as to outline the allowances payable for the use of private vehicles for official purposes. The enacting body, the Public Service Board, exercised its authority under the Public Service Act to establish these regulations, which were subject to the approval of the Governor-General. These regulations aimed to address issues related to the mode of travel and the class of accommodation provided for officers and employees, ensuring that the travel arrangements were both efficient and cost-effective for the Commonwealth. Furthermore, the regulations provided a structured approach to allowances for officers using their private vehicles for official purposes, taking into account factors such as vehicle type and the distance travelled, while also considering special circumstances and additional allowances where necessary. The detailed provisions within these regulations ensured that the travel policies for public service officers and employees were transparent, equitable, and aligned with the interests of the Commonwealth.

Scope and Application

The Regulations under the Public Service Act 1922-1960 apply to officers and employees of the Commonwealth, including their spouses and families, when the cost of their conveyance is payable by the Commonwealth. These regulations pertain to the mode of travel and the class of accommodation provided, as well as allowances for the use of private vehicles for official purposes. The Chief Officer has the authority to direct the means by which an officer or employee travels, specifying different means of travel for different classes of officers or employees and different types of journeys. Additionally, the Chief Officer may specify the class of travelling accommodation to be provided, with certain exceptions and special circumstances that may warrant higher class accommodation. Allowances for the use of private vehicles for official purposes are also regulated, including the rates of payment per mile for different types of vehicles and additional allowances for transporting other passengers, goods, or hauling caravans or trailers on behalf of the Commonwealth. These regulations are applicable throughout the Commonwealth of Australia and are subject to approval by the Governor-General.

Key Provisions

The Regulations under the Public Service Act 1922-1960 primarily address the mode of travel and allowances for Commonwealth officers and employees. Firstly, Section 83 allows the Chief Officer to specify the means of travel for officers, employees, and their families, with particular provisions for different classes of officers and employees, and different types of journeys. The Chief Officer can also direct the specific mode of travel for individual officers or employees on specific journeys. Section 84 details the class of travelling accommodation to be provided based on the officer's salary, gender, and other circumstances, ensuring that officers and employees, along with their families, receive appropriate accommodation. Additionally, the Regulations address allowances for the use of private vehicles for official purposes. Section 90 permits the Chief Officer to authorize officers to use their own motor vehicles for official duties if it results in greater efficiency or reduced expense for the Commonwealth. Officers using their vehicles under such authorization are entitled to an allowance based on the vehicle type and mileage. Section 90a allows officers to use their vehicles for specific journeys, such as when they are entitled to the actual cost of conveyance, required to travel for official purposes, or permanently stationed in a locality covered by a Board determination. The officer must receive permission from the Chief Officer, and an allowance is paid based on the vehicle type and mileage. The obligations imposed by these Regulations include the Chief Officer's responsibility to direct the means of travel and class of accommodation for officers and employees, and to authorize the use of private vehicles for official purposes. Officers must adhere to these directives and ensure they are using their vehicles in accordance with the granted permissions. The Regulations also mandate that officers claim appropriate allowances for mileage and additional expenses when using their vehicles for official duties. Failure to comply with these Regulations may lead to civil consequences, such as the denial of travel allowances or improper reimbursement. There are no explicit criminal penalties mentioned in the Regulations; however, non-compliance could potentially result in disciplinary action under the Public Service Act or other relevant legislation.

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