Public Service (Salaries) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1977 No. 223, made under the Public Service Act 1922, was enacted to address the need for updated salary regulations within the public service sector. The Public Service Board, acting on the authority granted by the Public Service Act 1922, established these regulations, which were subsequently approved by the Governor-General. This legislative instrument aims to provide a structured approach to the remuneration of public service employees, particularly audiologists, by specifying their salary scales. The regulations were approved by the Governor-General, John R. Kerr, on 18 November 1977, following the advice of the Federal Executive Council and the notification in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 24 November 1977. The underlying policy objective is to ensure fair and transparent salary structures within the public service, thereby maintaining the integrity and efficiency of the public sector.

Scope and Application

This legislative instrument amends the Public Service (Salaries) Regulations, which are made under the Public Service Act 1922. The regulation applies to employees within the Australian Public Service who fall under the classifications of audiologists, including those in training. Specifically, it details the salary scales for various classes of audiologists, reflecting their progression from trainee to fully qualified professionals. The regulation is applicable across the Commonwealth, impacting federal public service employees. The regulation does not explicitly state exclusions or exemptions, but it is implicit that it only applies to those within the defined classifications and not to other public service roles or private sector employees. The regulation extends its application by detailing specific salary brackets for each class, ensuring clarity and consistency in remuneration for these roles within the public service framework.

Key Provisions

The Statutory Rules 1977 No. 223 under the Public Service Act 1922 amends the Public Service (Salaries) Regulations, specifically focusing on the salary scale for audiologists. Section 1 of Schedule 1 revises the salary bands for various classes of audiologists. The new salary scale for an Audiologist-in-training is set at $7,988, while Class 1 audiologists will receive between $9,566 and $12,744, depending on their level of experience and responsibilities. Class 2 audiologists are now remunerated between $14,548 and $16,033, Class 3 audiologists between $16,927 and $18,412, and Class 4 audiologists between $19,305 and $20,452. The obligations imposed by these regulations require the Public Service Board to adhere to the new salary structures when determining remuneration for audiologists within the public service. This includes ensuring that all audiologists are appropriately classified and compensated in line with the new scales, which may involve reviewing and adjusting current positions and roles to reflect the updated salary bands. The regulations also mandate that any changes to these salary scales must be communicated effectively to all relevant parties within the public service. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in legal consequences for the Public Service Board. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not outlined in the regulation itself, breaches of public service salary regulations could potentially lead to disciplinary action against board members or other officials responsible for the administration of these rules. Additionally, public servants who do not receive their entitlements as per the updated scales may have grounds to pursue legal action for underpayment, which could result in compensation and interest being awarded. Overall, these regulations are designed to ensure that audiologists within the public service are fairly compensated according to their qualifications and responsibilities. By providing a clear and structured salary scale, the regulations aim to maintain transparency and fairness in the public service remuneration system.