PUBLIC SERVICE ACT
PUBLIC SERVICE REGULATIONS
Statutory Rules 1972 No. 14 (a)
Meal allowance.
1. Regulation 68 of the Public Service Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (1.) the figures “ $1.45 ” and inserting in their stead the figures “ $1.80 ”.
Rates of travelling allowance.
2. Regulation 75a of the Public Service Regulations is amended—
(a) by omitting sub-regulation (1.) and inserting in its stead the following sub-regulations:—
“ (1.) Subject to these Regulations, the rate at which travelling allowance is payable to an officer or employee is—
(a) if salary is payable to the officer or employee at a rate that is not less than Fourteen thousand three hundred and seventy-five dollars per year—
(i) in respect of residence in a capital city—Twenty-five dollars per day; or
(ii) in any other case—Seventeen dollars per day; and
(b) if salary is payable to the officer or employee at a rate that is less than Fourteen thousand three hundred and seventy-five dollars per year—
(i) in respect of residence in a capital city—Seventeen dollars sixty-five cents per day; or
(ii) in any other case—Thirteen dollars five cents per day.
“ (1a.) For the purposes of the last preceding sub-regulation—
(a) if salary is payable to an officer or employee in accordance with a scale of rates per year, salary shall be deemed to be payable to the officer or employee at the maximum rate in that scale; and
(b) if an officer is in receipt of an allowance payable in pursuance of regulation 87 of these Regulations, salary shall be deemed to be payable to the officer at the rate per year ascertained by adding the rate per year at which salary is, or is to be deemed to be, payable to him and the rate per year at which that allowance is payable to him.”;
(b) by omitting from sub-regulation (2.) the words “ last preceding sub-regulation ” and inserting in their stead the words “ last two preceding sub-regulations ”; and
(c) by omitting from sub-regulation (2.) the figures “ $21.00 ” and inserting in their stead the figures “ $25.00 ”.
(a) Made under the Public Service Act 1922-1968 on 18 January 1972; approved by the Governor-General on 24 January 1972; notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 3 February 1972.
Allowances to Veterinary Officers and Meat Inspectors.
3. Regulation 79b of the Public Service Regulations is amended by omitting the table in sub-regulation (1.) and inserting in its stead the following table:—
Class of officers | Rate per day for first week or for less than one week— | Rate per week after first week— |
In Capital Cities | Elsewhere | In Capital Cities | Elsewhere |
| $ | $ | $ | $ |
Unmarried Veterinary Officers or Meat Inspectors | 17.65 | 13.05 | .. | .. |
Married Veterinary Officers or Meat Inspectors | 17.65 | 13.05 | 45.00 | 40.00 |
Overview
The Public Service Regulations 1972 were enacted to amend various allowances under the Public Service Act, addressing the need for updated financial provisions for public servants. These amendments were made by the Parliament of Australia and are aimed at ensuring that the allowances provided to public servants reflect contemporary standards and costs. The updates include adjustments to meal allowances and travel allowances, with specific rates tailored to the location and salary bracket of the officer or employee. Additionally, the regulations introduce new rates for Veterinary Officers and Meat Inspectors, ensuring that their allowances are commensurate with their responsibilities and living costs. This legislative instrument ensures that public service remuneration remains fair and adequate, supporting the efficient functioning of public service roles.
Scope and Application
The Public Service Regulations 1972, made under the Public Service Act 1922-1968, apply to officers and employees within the Commonwealth public service, impacting their entitlements to allowances such as meal and travel allowances, and specific allowances for Veterinary Officers and Meat Inspectors. The regulations cover a wide range of public service personnel, including those residing in capital cities and other areas, and are applicable across the entire Commonwealth jurisdiction. The amendments made through Statutory Rules 1972 No. 14 adjust the rates for meal allowances, travel allowances, and specific allowances for Veterinary Officers and Meat Inspectors, taking into account the officers' annual salary and their place of residence. The regulations explicitly state the new rates, superseding previous figures, and provide detailed rules on how salary rates are to be calculated for the purposes of determining allowances. These changes ensure that public servants receive appropriate financial support in accordance with their salary and living conditions.
Key Provisions
The Public Service Regulations, as amended by Statutory Rules 1972 No. 14, introduce several changes to the allowances provided to public service officers. Regulation 68 now specifies a meal allowance of $1.80, replacing the previous rate of $1.45 (paragraph 1). Additionally, the rates of travelling allowance have been revised under Regulation 75a. For officers or employees earning an annual salary of $14,375 or more, the daily allowance is $25 if residing in a capital city, and $17 for other locations. For those earning less than $14,375, the daily allowance is $17.65 if residing in a capital city, and $13.50 for other locations (paragraph 2). These new rates are intended to reflect updated cost of living adjustments and travel expenses.
The amended Regulations impose specific obligations on public service officers and employees. Firstly, officers and employees must now be aware of the updated meal allowance and travelling allowance rates, which are dependent on their salary and location of residence. These allowances are designed to compensate for daily living expenses incurred while on official duties. Additionally, the Regulations clarify that if an officer is receiving an allowance under Regulation 87, their salary is deemed to be the sum of their base salary and the allowance rate for determining eligibility for higher allowance rates (paragraph 2(1a)).
Failure to comply with the provisions of the Public Service Regulations can result in various consequences. Although the statutory instrument does not explicitly outline penalties for non-compliance, breaches of public service regulations typically result in administrative actions, including the withholding of allowances or other disciplinary measures. Furthermore, persistent non-compliance may lead to formal investigations and potential legal action under the Public Service Act 1922-1968. The specific penalties for breaches would depend on the nature and severity of the non-compliance, as well as any relevant internal policies and procedures.