The ability to interpret and apply legislation, guidelines, instructions, policy and procedures

To complete the technical aspects of my work I refer to various legislation, guidelines, instructions,
policy and procedures including:

• The Financial Management and Accountability Act (1997) which is the overarching piece of
legislation regarding financial management in the Australian Public Service. All of the
Department’s guidelines, instructions, policies and procedures flow down from this piece of
legislation, and when in doubt regarding an instruction I always refer back to the Financial
Management and Accountability Act.
• The Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines provide more detailed instructions regarding
procurement within the Australian Public Service and provide a framework of guidelines under
which Departments can issue their own policies and procedures.
• The Department of X’s Procurement Manual provides step by step processes together with
departmentally specific requirements for the procurement of goods and services and articulates
the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines in an operational capacity.

As a people manager who is regularly involved in the hiring of new staff, I also refer to and comply with
a number of associated policies, guidelines and legislation, including:

• The Public Service Act 1999 - particularly in reference to Part 3 Section 10 (the APS Values), Part 3
Section 13 (the APS Code of Conduct), Part 3 Section 19 (prohibition of patronage and favouritism,
with specific reference to staff selection decisions), Part 3 Section 18 (promotion of equity in
employment), and Part 4 Division 1 Sections 22 to 27 concerning movements into and within
agencies.
• The Public Service Regulations 1999 - which provides information pursuant to the Public Service
Act. For example, when deciding on the date of effect of a promotion for one of my employees, I
refer to Public Service Regulations.
• I am aware of the Merit Protection Commissioner’s Instructions 2000, and the Public Service Act
1999 Advices that contain information on review of promotion decisions and I refer to these in
cases where employees are not satisfied with a promotion decision.
• I regularly refer to the Department of X’s Certified Agreement for information regarding salary
negotiation and the requirements for applicants commencing in a position above the base of the
salary range.

I refer to, interpret and apply these documents on a daily basis and also provide advice to others based
on my research and interpretation. I am quick to learn and able to transfer my skills in policy
interpretation to new and unfamiliar documents.

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