Archived publications
Our archived publications page lists documents that are not current but may be used for reference purposes.
We cannot guarantee the material is complete, correct, up to date, or relevant for your purposes. These documents should not be relied on as a substitute for detailed advice as a basis for making decisions. In any important matter you should seek professional advice relevant to your particular circumstances.
Please note that due to the age of some of these documents they may not meet current web publishing requirements or be compatible with some software. Where possible the Commission will endeavour to update these documents.
Copies of documents which are only available in PDF format can be found on our Print on demand page.
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Circulars
Circular 2000/4: Resignation and failure to return to duty
The purpose of this circular is to provide advice on resignation from the Australian Public Service (APS) under the Public Service Act 1999 (the Public Service Act), particularly in relation to reasonable notice on resignation, the sanctions to apply should reasonable notice not be given, and the withdrawal of a notice of resignation.
Circular 2002/2: Amendments to the Public Service Commissioner’s Directions on the engagement of persons who have received a redundancy benefit from Commonwealth employment
This circular advises of changes to the Public Service Commissioner’s Directions dealing with the engagement of persons who have received a redundancy benefit from Commonwealth employment.
Circular 2002/3: Temporary movement provisions - Amendment to advice on movement of ongoing employees
This circular advises of changes to the information concerning the temporary movement of ongoing employees which was contained in Advice Number 6 Staffing Actions: Ongoing Employees issued in November 1999
Circular 2002/4: Management Advisory Committee: Project on building organisational capabilities
This circular advises of the work being undertaken by the Management Advisory Committee in order to understand and meet the challenge of building organisational capability and to correct press reports suggesting an inquiry is being conducted into the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme
Circular 2002/5: Breaches of the Code of Conduct - reduction in salary for a specified period
This circular clarifies the position in relation to a sanction of reduction in salary for a specified period
Circular 2002/6: Release of new booklets
The Commission has released booklets on outsourcing and delegations
Circular 2002/7: Release of new booklet
The Commission has released a booklet on performance management
Circular 2002/8: Expiry of transitional mobility arrangements for employees formerly covered by Part IV of the Public Service Act 1922
This circular is to remind APS agencies, and non-APS Commonwealth authorities and their affected employees that the transitional mobility arrangements applying to persons formerly covered by the mobility provisions in Division 2 or 3 of Part IV of the Public Service Act 1922 expire on 4 December 2002
Circular 2002/9 : Release of new booklet - Termination of employment
The Commission has released a booklet on termination of employment
Circular 2002/10: Attachment of salaries to satisfy a judgment debt
This circular advises of the amendment to the Public Service Regulations regarding the satisfaction of judgment debts
Circular 2002/11: Engagement of ongoing and non-ongoing APS employees
This circular advises on a decision in terms of the use of non-ongoing employment and the application of the merit Value; the need to ensure that the circumstances leading to that decision do not recur and the power of the Commissioner to waive the requirement for filling an ongoing employment opportunity
Circular No 2002/12: Amendments to the Public Service Regulations regarding the movement of ongoing employees from one agency to another
This circular advises of amendments to the Public Service Regulations governing the ongoing and temporary movement of ongoing employees between agencies
Circular No 2002/13: Changes to the delivery of redeployment and career advice services
This circular advises of changes to the delivery of redeployment and career advice services provided by the Commission
Circular 2003/1: Payments in special circumstances - Section 73 of the Public Service Act 1999
This circular advises of the delegation to Agency Heads of the power to make payments under section 73 of the Public Service Act 1999 and to inform agencies in respect of the appropriation from which such payments may be made
Circular 2003/2: Engagement of ongoing and non-ongoing employees
This circular advises of an amendment made to the Public Service Commissioner's Directions 1999 and the circumstances in which the Commissioner will consider applications for the use of the Direction to authorise the engagement of a non-ongoing employee as an ongoing employee
Circular 2003/3: Cancellation of Section 26 agreements
This circular provides advice relevant to the cancellation of an employment decision made under section 22 (engagement of an APS employee), section 25 (assignment of duties) or section 26 (voluntary moves between agencies) of the Public Service Act 1999 (PS Act) before it takes effect.
Circular 2003/4: New Apprenticeships
This circular provides an overview of the New Apprenticeship program and information for agencies on how it might be used in the APS
Circular 2003/5: Amendment to the Public Service Commissioner's Directions on the engagement of persons who have received a redundancy benefit from Commonwealth employment
This circular advises of changes to the Public Service Commissioner's Directions 1999 dealing with the engagement in the APS of persons who have received a redundancy benefit from the Commonwealth.
Circular 2003/6 - Probation
The Commission has released a booklet on Probation
Circular 2003/7: Impact of amendments to the Workplace Relations Act 1996 on probation and termination of employment in the APS
This circular advises agencies that the Workplace Relations Amendment (Fair Termination) Act 2003 has received Royal Assent and is expected to come into effect on 27 November 2003; and that the Commission's booklets on probation and termination of employment are being reviewed in light of the new legislation
Circular 2003/8: Temporary assignments and temporary movements of staff
This circular provides advice on the temporary assignment of staff within an agency in accordance with section 25 of the Public Service Act 1999 and the temporary movement of staff between agencies in accordance with sections 25 and 26 of the PS Act, which will also involve a temporary assignment of duties.
Circular 2004/1 - Amendments to the Public Service Regulations 1999 and to the Public Service Commissioner's Directions 1999-(A) mobility between the Australian Public Service and the Parliamentary Service and (B) judgement debts
This circular advises agencies of changes to the Public Service Regulations 1999 and to the Public Service Commissioner's Directions 1999 dealing with the mobility arrangements between the APS and the Parliamentary Service
Circular 2004/2: Citizenship provisions relating to employment in the Australian Public Service
The circular arises from recent changes to Australian citizenship requirements
Circular 2004/3: Amendments to the Public Service Regulations 1999 and the Public Service Commissioner's Directions 1999 — Election candidates and other technical amendments
This circular advises agencies of a number of changes that have been made to the Public Service Regulations 1999 and the Public Service Commissioner's Directions 1999
Circular 2004/4: Payments in special circumstances under section 73 of the Public Service Act 1999
This circular advises agencies on the provisions of section 73 of the Public Service Act 1999 in relation to the making of special payments and new reporting requirements relating to section 73 payments
Circular 2004/5: Administrative re-arrangements
This circular is concerned with the movement of employees between APS agencies as a result of administrative re-arrangement under s.72(1)(a) of the PS Act.
Circular No 2004/6: Amounts to be included in payment in lieu of Notice of termination of employment
This circular confirms previous advice given to agencies in APS Commission circulars 1998/1 and 2000/1 on the amounts that should be included when calculating payment in lieu of notice on termination of employment
Circular No 2004/8: Amendment to the Public Service Regulations 1999
This circular advises of an amendment to the Public Service Regulations 1999, concerning the disclosure of information.
Circular 2004/9: Electronic publication of two Commission advices - Conditions of engagement and Ongoing employment
This circular advises agencies that the two publications are now available on the Commission's website
Circular 2005/1: Electronic publication of the APS Employment Database Manual
This circular advises agencies that the revised APS Employment Database (APSED) manual is now available on the Commission's website
Circular No 2005/3: Disallowance of amendments to the Public Service Regulations 1999 - Regulation 2.1
This circular advises that on 16 June 2005 the Senate disallowed amendments to the Public Service Regulations 1999, concerning the disclosure of information
Circular No 2005/4: Commission publications
This circular advises agencies that the publications on Conditions of Engagement and Ongoing Employment are now available in hardcopy
Circular 2006/2 - Citizenship requirements for engagement in the Australian Public Service
This circular is to advise of changes to the Australian Public Service Commission’s publication Conditions of engagement.
Circular 2006/3: Amendment to the Public Service Regulations 1999
This circular provides advice on the amendment to the Public Service Regulations 1999 concerning the disclosure of information
Circular 2006/4: APS staff selection exercises – Use of external providers
This circular provides additional advice to agencies in respect of staff selection exercises
Circular 2006/5: Engagement of persons who have received a redundancy benefit from Commonwealth employment – Impact of Telstra (3) sale
This circular updates our advice on the eligibility for employment in the Australian Public Service of ex-Telstra employees who receive a redundancy benefit on termination of their employment after the Telstra (3) sale
Circular 2007/4: APSjobs website and the Australian Public Service Gazette
This circular announces changes to the presentation of the Australian Public Service Gazette with the release of the APSjobs website
Circular 2008/1: Amendments to the Public Service Commissioner's Directions 1999 — Engagement of non-ongoing Senior Executive Service employees
The purpose of this circular is to advise agencies of a change that has been made to the Public Service Commissioner's Directions 1999
Circular 2008/2: APSjobs website enhancements
The www.APSjobs.gov.au website now has a number of new features and enhancements.
Circular 2008/6: Revised edition of Handling Misconduct publication
This circular advises that a revised edition of Handling Misconduct – a human resources practitioner’s guide to the reporting and handling of suspected and determined breaches of the APS Code of Conduct is now available
Circular 2008/8: Interim protocols for online media participation
The purpose of this circular is to provide a set of interim protocols to agencies that are using or planning to use online media, including blogs, as a means of communication with clients and stakeholders
Circular 2008/9: Amendments to the Public Service Commissioner's Directions - Engagement of redundancy benefit recipients
This circular advises of an amendment to the provisions of the Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 1999 dealing with the engagement of redundancy benefit recipients.
Circular 2009/1: Revised edition of Merit and transparency policy and guidelines
This circular advises that a revised edition of the policy and guidelines Merit and Transparency: Merit-based selection of APS agency heads and APS statutory office holders is available
Circular 2009/2: Engagement of redundancy benefit recipients
The provisions relating to the subsequent employment of a redundancy benefit recipient in the APS have been amended
Circular 2009/4: Disclosure of official information
This circular reminds agencies of the responsibilities and rights of employees in relation to the disclosure of official information, particularly when dealing with non-Government members of the Parliament
Circular 2009/6: Protocols for online media participation
This circular advises of guidance for employees participating in online media
WR 2009/1: Executive Vehicle Scheme
This Advice is to remind APS agencies of the requirements of the Executive Vehicle Scheme and to update the associated Guidelines
Circular 2010/3: Changes to timeframes for lodging review of actions
The Public Service Regulations 1999 have been amended to change the time limits for applications for review of action by APS employees
Circular 2011/4: Electronic publication of the APS Employment Database Specifications Manual (Version 4.1)
The circular advises of a minor revision to the APS Employment Database (APSED) Specifications manual
Publications
Agency health - monitoring agency health and improving performance
It provides a resource for all agencies to use in monitoring their corporate health and, in particular, to detect signs of failing health.
Annual reports
Copies of earlier reports are available from our Print on demand page.
APS Indigenous Employment Strategy
The Strategy delivers a range of programs to improve recruitment, retention and career development outcomes for Indigenous employees in the APS
Australian experience of public sector reform
The profile provides an overview of the Australian government and public administration framework. While the principle focus is on the Commonwealth experience, this has been complemented by contributions from state and territory experience.
Australian Government use of information and communication technology - MAC report
This report outlines an appropriate framework to guide departments and agencies through this transformation and into the next stage of delivering better government.
Building better governance - Contemporary government challenges
This publication looks at governance, why it is important and developing better governance
Challenges of evidence-based policy-making - Contemporary government challenges
This publication deals with the challenge of putting ‘evidence-based policy-making’ into practice
Changing behaviour: A public policy perspective - Contemporary government challenges
This publication deals with the challenge of how democratic governments can most effectively influence the behaviour of their citizens.
Connecting Government - Whole of government responses to Australia's priority challenges - MAC report
Examines the many different and sometimes competing imperatives that contribute to successful whole of government work .
Delivering performance and accountability - Contemporary government challenges
A contemporary challenge for the APS is to improve accountability but in a manner that does not constrain our ability to provide advice and services in an innovative and agile way.
Employment of people with a disability - MAC report.
The Management Advisory Committee agreed to eight objectives for promoting the employment of people with disability and identified strategies for meeting those objectives.
Empowering change - Fostering change in the APS - MAC report
This dedicated review of innovation will help to create a solid foundation for tackling not only the challenges of today, but those that are yet to arise
Ensuring leadership continuity in the APS
This booklet contains a detailed discussion of elements of the succession planning process and provides some practical tools for use by agencies
Evaluating learning: A framework for judging success
A practical guide to assist in developing effective approaches to evaluating learning and development initiatives.
(A) History in three Acts
A narrative of the changes to the Australian Public Service brought about by the 1902, 1922 and 1999 Public Service Acts.
Leading productive people: A manager's seven steps to success
This guide was developed to help managers build their people management skills. It identifies steps and approaches to build the productivity and effectiveness of people.
Managing and sustaining the APS workforce - MAC report
In the APS we are experiencing shortages for some skills and will face increasing competition for others. We need to be well positioned to succeed in the 'war for talent'. This report sets out the issues and suggests a range of actions that will help public service agencies to respond
Managing succession in the APS
This paper introduces the concept of succession management and identifies principles for effectiveness in succession management
More than a job
Indigenous APS employees talk about working for the Australian Public Service
Note for file: A report on recordkeeping in the Australian Public Service - MAC report
We all have an obligation to ensure that key decisions and events are recorded and can easily be retrieved when needed.
Ongoing employment
This booklet provides general advice on non-SES, ongoing recruitment and selection issues
Organisational renewal - MAC report
This report outlines the findings of a MAC project on organisational renewal and the challenge of building ongoing capability within the APS workforce
Performance management - MAC report
This report provides an outline of performance management in the APS, a model of environmental factors shaping performance management systems, key elements of good practice and implementation of performance management in the public sector and a checklist for design and review
Policy implementation through devolved government - Contemporary government challenges
This paper looks at the challenges in ensuring successful devolved government arrangements and the skills, leadership and capability required to meet them.
Recruitment: Do you measure up?
This document draws out a range of key recruitment metrics into an easy–to–use format for agencies
Reducing red tape in the APS - MAC report
This report sets out a framework to help drive that change in the APS’s thinking and approach to administrative process.
Smarter policy: choosing policy instruments and working with others to influence behaviour - Contemporary government challenges
This publication deals with designing policy that effectively achieves the Government’s goals in an environment of increasing complexity and interconnectedness.
State of the Service reports
Copies of earlier reports are available from our Print on demand page.
Statistical Bulletins
Copies of earlier Bulletins are available from our Print on demand page.
Supporting Ministers - upholding the Values
The guide examines principles associated with establishing the roles and responsibilities that define interactions between public servants and Ministers and advisers
Tackling wicked problems: a public policy perspective - Contemporary government challenges
Many of the most pressing policy challenges for the APS involve dealing with very complex or 'wicked' problems.
Working together: Principles and practices to guide the Australian Public Service - MAC report
To assist in achieving effective outcomes from work carried out jointly by agencies, all Secretaries have agreed to the following guidance.
Speeches and presentations
2007
Context and challenges of policy advising
Lynelle Briggs, Australian Public Service Commissioner
2006
The last count
Dennis Trewin, Australian Statistician, Australian Bureau of Statistics - Valedictory speech
2004
Managing the interface with ministers and Parliament
Andrew Podger, Australian Public Service Commissioner
2002
Beyond Westminster : Defining an Australian approach to the roles and values of the public service in the 21st Century
Andrew Podger, Australian Public Service Commissioner
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