EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1984 NO. 131
PUBLIC SERVICE (SALARIES) REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT)
Issued with the Authority of the Public Service Board
Sub-section 97(1) of the Public Service Act 1922 provides that the Public Service Board may, with the approval of the Governor-General, make regulations prescribing all matters which are required to be prescribed for giving effect to that Act.
Sub-section 30(2) of the Act provides that officers of the Second, Third and Fourth Divisions shall be paid salaries at such rates, or in accordance with such scales of rates, as are prescribed.
These Statutory Rules amend Part I of Schedule 3 of the Public Service (Salaries) Regulations by inserting a new designation of Maritime Greaser, a new level of Senior Technical Instructor, Grade 2 in Group 330 and a rationalisation of designations in Groups 373 (Wiper) and 378 (Works Supervisor).
The designations of Maritime Greaser and Wiper are to apply to engine room assistants employed by the Department of Transport on navigation aid vessels. The salary rates for Maritime Greaser and Wiper are those prescribed in the Maritime Industry Seagoing Award.
Following consideration of submissions from the Department of Aviation and the Public Service Artisans’ Association it has been concluded, on work value grounds, that an upper level of Senior Technical Instructor, Grade 2 is justified for positions of Technical Instructor at the Department of Aviation, Mechanical Training School.
Following a review of the Works Supervisor structure in the Department of Housing and Construction, it is proposed to redesignate positions of Works Supervisor to Works Supervisor, Grade 1 and of Senior Works Supervisor to Works Supervisor, Grade 2.
Overview
The Public Service (Salaries) Regulations (Amendment) Statutory Rules 1984 No. 131, issued with the authority of the Public Service Board, were enacted to address discrepancies and gaps in the salary scales and job designations within the Australian Public Service. The regulations were made under the authority of the Public Service Act 1922, specifically sub-section 97(1) which empowers the Public Service Board to create regulations with the Governor-General's approval. These amendments aimed to ensure that officers' salaries align with the prescribed rates and scales, and to introduce new job designations to reflect changing roles within the public service. The policy objective was to adjust salary scales and designations to accurately reflect the value of work performed, thereby enhancing fairness and efficiency within the public sector remuneration structure.
Scope and Application
The Statutory Rules 1984 No. 131, made under the Public Service Act 1922, amend the Public Service (Salaries) Regulations by introducing new designations and restructuring existing ones, primarily affecting personnel within specific departments of the Australian Public Service. The amendments introduce the designation of Maritime Greaser, applicable to engine room assistants employed by the Department of Transport on navigation aid vessels, and set their salary rates according to the Maritime Industry Seagoing Award. Additionally, the rules establish a new level of Senior Technical Instructor, Grade 2 in Group 330 for positions at the Department of Aviation, Mechanical Training School, reflecting a determination based on work value assessments. The designations of Wiper and Works Supervisor within Groups 373 and 378, respectively, have been rationalised to Works Supervisor, Grade 1 and Works Supervisor, Grade 2. These amendments ensure that salary scales and job designations align with the specific roles and responsibilities within these departments, thereby providing clarity and consistency in the public service remuneration framework.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Statutory Rules involve the amendment of Part I of Schedule 3 of the Public Service (Salaries) Regulations. Specifically, section 1 inserts a new designation of Maritime Greaser, which applies to engine room assistants employed by the Department of Transport on navigation aid vessels. This amendment aligns the salary rates for Maritime Greasers with those prescribed in the Maritime Industry Seagoing Award, as stated in section 2. Additionally, section 3 introduces a new level of Senior Technical Instructor, Grade 2 in Group 330, recognising the work value for positions of Technical Instructor at the Department of Aviation, Mechanical Training School. Finally, sections 4 and 5 rationalise the designations within Groups 373 (Wiper) and 378 (Works Supervisor), redesignating positions of Wiper to a new designation and Works Supervisor and Senior Works Supervisor to Works Supervisor, Grade 1 and Works Supervisor, Grade 2 respectively.
The obligations imposed on the parties governed by these Statutory Rules include ensuring that the new designations and salary scales are correctly implemented. The Department of Transport must ensure that engine room assistants employed on navigation aid vessels are appropriately classified as Maritime Greasers and remunerated according to the prescribed rates. Similarly, the Department of Aviation must recognise and remunerate Technical Instructors at the Mechanical Training School as Senior Technical Instructors, Grade 2. The Department of Housing and Construction must also update its records and pay scales to reflect the new designations of Works Supervisor, Grade 1 and Works Supervisor, Grade 2.
The Statutory Rules do not explicitly outline offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for non-compliance. However, non-compliance with prescribed salary regulations under the Public Service Act 1922 could potentially lead to legal challenges or disputes regarding the correct classification and remuneration of public service officers. The Public Service Board, which has the authority to make these regulations, may also take administrative action against entities or individuals that fail to adhere to the prescribed salary scales and designations.