Public Service Regulations (Amendment)

Legislation au C2004L01474 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Statutory Rules

1973 No. 73

REGULATIONS UNDER THE PUBLIC SERVICE ACT 1922-1972.*

THE PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD, acting in pursuance and exercise of the authority conferred upon it by the Public Service Act 1922-1972, hereby makes, subject to the approval of the Governor-General, the following Regulations.

Dated this sixteenth day of March, 1973.

A. S. COOLEY

Chairman.

J. E. COLLINGS

Commissioner.

A. B. McFARLANE

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 second day of April, 1973.

PAUL HASLUCK

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

D. R. WILLESEE

Special Minister of State for and on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Amendments of the Public Service Regulations†

Ratei of travelling allowance.

1. Regulation 75a of the Public Service Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting sub-regulation (1) and substituting the following sub-regulation:—

“ (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 the rate specified in the Second Column of the table in regulation 5 of the Public Service (Salaries) Regulations opposite to a Level 1 office in the First Column—

(i) in respect of residence in a capital city—$28.00 per day; or

(ii) in any other case—$20.00 per day; and

* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 12 April 1973.

† Statutory Rules 1935, No. 18, as amended to date. For previous amendments of the Public Service Regulations see footnote † to Statutory Rules 1973, No. 32, and see also Statutory Rules 1973, Nos. 32, 34, 37, 46 and 47.


(b) if salary is payable to the officer or employee at a rate that is less than the rate specified in the Second Column of the table in regulation 5 of the Public Service (Salaries) Regulations opposite to a Level 1 office in the First Column—

(i) in respect of residence in a capital city—$19.65 per day;

(ii) in any other case—$14.75 per day.”; and

(b) by omitting from sub-regulation (2) the figures “ $25.00 ” and substituting the figures “ $28.00 ”.

Allowances to veterinary officers and meat inspectors.

2. Regulation 79b of the Public Service Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting the figures “ 17.65 ” (wherever occurring) and substituting the figures “ 19.65 ”; and

(b) by omitting the figures “ 13.05 ” (wherever occurring) and substituting the figures “ 14.75 ”.

Camping and lodging allowance.

3. Regulation 89 of the Public Service Regulations is amended by omitting paragraph (a) of sub-regulation (2) and substituting the following paragraph:—

“ (a) if a cook is provided by the Department—

(i) in the case of a married officer—at the rate of $3.25 per day; or

(ii) in the case of an unmarried officer—at the rate of $1.80 per day; and ”.

Allowance payable for use, for official purposes, of private vehicle.

4. (1) Regulation 90 of the Public Service Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (4) the words “ after the commencement of this regulation ”.

(2) Regulation 90 of the Public Service Regulations is amended by omitting the table in sub-regulation (4) and substituting the following table:—

Type of vehicle

Rate of payment per mile in cents for each mile in the first 6,000 miles travelled in the prescribed period

Rate of payment per mile in cents for every other mile travelled in the prescribed period

Motor truck having a carrying capacity of 1 ton or over………………

17.9

12.4

Motor car, or motor truck having a carrying capacity of less than 1 ton, the engine of which has 8 cylinders…………………………………

17.5

12.1

Motor car, or motor truck having a carrying capacity of less than 1 ton, the engine of which has 6 cylinders…………………………………

13.3

8.9

Motor car, or motor truck having a carrying capacity of less than 1 ton, the engine of which has 4 cylinders or less………………………….

12.7

8.3

Motor cycle the engine capacity of which is, or is greater than, 250 cubic centimetres…………………………………………………………..

10.0

7.1

Any other motor cycle…………………………………………………

4.5

3.3

Allowance for use of private vehicles on specified journeys.

5. Regulation 90a of the Public Service Regulations is amended by omitting the table in sub-regulation (2) and substituting the following table:—

Type of vehicle

Rate of payment per mile in cents

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

12.4

Motor car, or motor truck of less than 1 ton capacity, the engine of which has 8 cylinders……………………………………………………………………………

12.1

Motor car, or motor truck of less than 1 ton capacity, the engine of which has 6 cylinders……………………………………………………………………………

8.9

Motor car, or motor truck of less than 1 ton capacity, the engine of which has 4 cylinders or less…………………………………………………………………….

8.3

Motor cycle the engine capacity of which is, or is greater than, 250 cubic centimetres

7.1

Any other motor cycle………………………………………………………………..

3.3


6. After regulation 90a of the Public Service Regulations the following regulation is inserted:—

Rotary engines.

90aa. (1) In this regulation—

(a) a reference to a rotary engine shall be read as a reference to an internal combustion engine in which fuel is ignited by means of a spark and in the combustion chamber, or each combustion chamber, of which a single central rotating member performs the function performed by a piston in a combustion chamber of a reciprocating internal combustion engine in which fuel is so ignited; and

(b) subject to sub-regulation (2), the displacement of the rotary engine that drives a motor vehicle shall be taken to be the displacement of the engine according to the specifications of the engine issued by the manufacturer of the motor vehicle.

“ (2) Where the specifications issued by the manufacturer of a vehicle that is driven by a rotary engine do not state the displacement of the engine but state the displacement of the rotor or rotors comprising the engine, the displacement of the engine shall be taken to be equal to the displacement, according to those specifications, of the rotor that comprises the engine or the sum of the displacements, according to those specifications, of the rotors that comprise the engine.

“ (3) Regulations 90 and 90a apply to and in relation to a motor vehicle that is driven by a rotary engine—

(a) if the displacement of the engine is not less than 2,000 cubic centimetres—as if it were driven by an engine that has eight cylinders;

(b) if the displacement of the engine is not less than 1,000 cubic centimetres but is less than 2,000 cubic centimetres—as if it were driven by an engine that has six cylinders; and

(c) if the displacement of the engine is less than 1,000 cubic centimetres —as if it were driven by an engine that has four cylinders.”.

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

7. Regulation 90b of the Public Service Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting the words “ the last preceding regulation ” and substituting the words “ regulation 90a of these Regulations ”; and

(b) by omitting the words “ the last two preceding regulations ” and substituting the words “ regulation 90 or 90a ”.

Application.

8. The amendments of the Public Service Regulations effected by regulations 4, 5, 6 and 7 of these Regulations do not apply to travel in a motor vehicle before the commencement of these Regulations.

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1973 No. 73, enacted under the Public Service Act 1922-1972, were introduced to revise and update the Public Service Regulations, addressing various allowances and payments to public service officers and employees. This legislative instrument was developed by the Public Service Board, acting with the authority conferred by the Public Service Act, and subsequently approved by the Governor-General. The overarching policy objective of these regulations is to ensure that public service officers and employees receive fair and updated compensation for their work-related expenses, such as travelling allowances, camping and lodging allowances, and payments for the use of private vehicles for official purposes. The amendments reflect changes in economic conditions and operational requirements to maintain equitable and efficient public service standards. These Regulations, effective from their commencement, revise the rates of allowances for various situations, including travelling, camping, and the use of private vehicles for official purposes. Notably, the allowances have been updated to reflect current economic conditions, ensuring that public service officers and employees are appropriately compensated for their work-related expenses. The inclusion of provisions for rotary engines further demonstrates the adaptability of the regulations to technological advancements in the automotive industry. These amendments aim to maintain the integrity and efficiency of the public service by ensuring that officers and employees are provided with the necessary resources to perform their duties effectively.

Scope and Application

The Public Service Regulations 1973, made under the Public Service Act 1922-1972, provide detailed rules and guidelines for the administration of the Australian Public Service. These regulations specifically address various allowances and entitlements for public service officers and employees, including travelling allowances, camping and lodging allowances, and allowances for the use of private vehicles for official purposes. They apply to officers and employees within the Commonwealth Public Service and establish the rates and conditions for these allowances. Notably, the regulations do not apply to travel undertaken before the commencement of these regulations. The scope of the regulations is further extended through subordinate instruments that may provide additional guidelines or specify further details on allowances and entitlements. The regulations aim to ensure consistency and fairness in the treatment of public service officers and employees across various aspects of their service.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of these Regulations under the Public Service Act 1922-1972 primarily revise the rates and criteria for various allowances and payments to public service officers and employees. Regulation 1 amends the rate of travelling allowance payable to officers or employees based on their salary level and whether they reside in a capital city or not. Regulation 2 updates the allowances for veterinary officers and meat inspectors. Regulation 3 modifies the camping and lodging allowance based on marital status and whether a cook is provided by the department. Regulation 4 adjusts the rates of payment for the use of private vehicles for official purposes, distinguishing between different types of vehicles based on their engine size and capacity. Regulation 5 similarly updates the rates of payment for specified journeys. Regulation 6 introduces a new regulation, 90aa, defining and applying the rules to motor vehicles driven by rotary engines, and Regulation 7 modifies the additional allowance where other passengers or goods are carried on behalf of the Commonwealth. These Regulations impose specific obligations and requirements on public service officers and employees regarding the calculation and claim of allowances. For instance, officers and employees must ensure their salary levels are correctly identified to claim the appropriate rates of travelling allowance as specified. They must also provide accurate information about the type of vehicle used for official purposes and the number of miles travelled. In the case of using private vehicles for specified journeys, the type of vehicle and the distance travelled must be accurately recorded to claim the correct rate of payment. Officers and employees must also comply with the new rules regarding rotary engines, ensuring the displacement of the engine is correctly identified and the appropriate rates of payment are applied. Failure to comply with these Regulations may result in incorrect claims or underpayments of allowances. While the Regulations do not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties for non-compliance, any breaches could potentially lead to disciplinary actions under the Public Service Act 1922-1972, which may include fines, deductions from salary, or other administrative penalties. It is essential for public service officers and employees to adhere to these Regulations to avoid any adverse consequences.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Administrative Law
Instrument
Regulation
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Allowances & Payments
Regulatory Standards

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions

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.