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Last updated: March 2008
Employment framework
Agency head responsibilities in relation to the Workplace Relations Act
skip further information boxInformation supplied by:
For more information:
- Workplace Relations Act 1996
- Workplace Relations Regulations 2006
- Australian Public Service Commission
- Australian Workplace website
- Workplace Authority website
- Workplace Relations Policy Parameters for Agreement Making in the APS (April 2006)
- Supporting Guidance - Workplace Relations Policy Parameters for Agreement Making in the APS (Issued April 2006)
- Public Service Act 1999
- Public Service Commissioner's Directions 1999
- Public Service Regulations 1999
- Remuneration and other terms and conditions of employment
The Workplace Relations Act 1996 (WR Act) and subordinate legislation establishes the broad legislative framework for workplace relations in Australia, and therefore the APS.
APS Agency Heads are responsible for managing relations with their employees consistent with the WR Act and for ensuring that their agency collective agreements and other instruments used to set terms and conditions (such as s.24(1) determinations made under the Public Service Act 1999 and common law agreements) are consistent with the Australian Government Employment Bargaining Framework..
Other than in certain proscribed circumstances, workplace agreements cannot override any legislative obligations which are placed on Agency Heads. This includes obligations under the WR Act and subordinate instruments and the PS Act and subordinate instruments.
