Public sector standards in human resource management

Minimum human resource standards required of all WA public sector bodies and employees.
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Under section 21 of the Public Sector Management Act 1994 (PSM Act) the Public Sector Commissioner establishes minimum standards of merit, equity and probity that the public sector has to comply with. 

The Standards relate to a number of human resource activities and are collectively referred to as the Public Sector Standards in Human Resource Management. They  are principles-based rather than comprising rules, and in establishing them, the Commissioner has regard for the principles set out in sections 7, 8 and 9 of the PSM Act.

The six Standards are:

Application

The Standards apply to all public sector bodies and their employees. They do not apply to entities listed in Schedule 1 of the PSM Act, such as:

  • elected officials, for example, members of Parliament and local government councillors
  • local governments
  • sworn members of the Western Australian Police (police officers)
  • universities
  • courts and tribunals
  • some corporatised bodies such as Port Authorities and the Water Corporation.

Responsibilities of public sector bodies

All public sector bodies and their employees must comply with the Standards.

Public sector bodies are responsible for developing and implementing human resource policies, procedures and practices that are consistent with the Standards.

Public sector bodies can support compliance with the Standards by:

  • ensuring human resource policies, procedures and practices are consistent with the Standards
  • raising employee awareness of the Standards.

Monitoring and reporting

Public sector bodies report on their compliance with the Standards to the Commissioner annually (under section 31 of the PSM Act).

The Commissioner monitors the public sector's compliance with the Standards and reports to Parliament annually (under sections 21 and 22D of the PSM Act). 

Breach of Standard claims

Information about making breach claims under the Public Sector Standards in Human Resource Management, and the processes agencies and the Public Sector Commission undertake following claims. 

Contact

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