The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) has issued a Circular to advise APS agencies that APSC Directions 2022 had been amended for consistency with the Public Service Regulations 2023.
APSC said that as well as technical clarifying and streamlining amendments, more efficient administration of the powers and functions were conferred by the Directions.
It said the minor amendments included: Amendments to non-ongoing fixed term engagements where a modified merit process is undertaken; Simplifying the requirement to notify relevant parties of a promotion outcome where the employee’s name is not published in the Public Service Gazette; and A new provision designed to ensure the integrity of a recruitment process where an Agency does not meet their obligations to Gazette an employment outcome.
It said amendments to the Directions included clarification of the provisions for the Affirmative Measure – RecruitAbility Scheme; Requirement that a vacancy that is a ‘similar vacancy’ does not apply where both vacancies are within the same agency;
An agency using external advertising in addition to the Gazettal notice the closing date for all advertisements must be the same date; Provisions for probation do not apply to irregular and intermittent employees; and Approval to remove Australian Defence Force members as outsiders for the purpose of delegations under the Directions.
It says “Agencies should review and update internal policies and procedures to ensure that they appropriately reflect any changes in the Directions and consider how to incorporate the changes to non-ongoing arrangements into their recruitment processes.”
“Instruments of delegation for Agency Head powers and functions will continue to have force, however Agencies should review and update their delegations for any new functions, duties or powers.”
The Circular says that for further advice on the operation of the Directions, Agencies can contact the commission’s Employment Policy team.
Circular 2025/6 can be accessed at this PS News link.
