Public Sector Commissioner's Circulars

Promote the effectiveness and efficiency of the public sector
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Public Sector Commissioner’s circulars relate to:

  • public sector management policy or arrangements – these are made to promote and improve the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the public sector

Premier's circulars relate to whole-of-Government policy matters and issues of strategic importance to Western Australia that do not fall within the provisions of the PSM Act.  Premier's circulars are administered by the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

For related information, visit the Commissioner's Instructions page.

Administration of Public Sector Commissioner's circulars

Authority

Circulars are issued as part of the Commissioner's general functions under s. 21 the Public Sector Management Act 1994

Chief Executive Officers must remain informed of circular content, comply with their directions and share this information with relevant staff.

Application

Circulars apply to all public sector agencies, unless specifically excluded. 

If a public sector organisation considers it has a valid reason for seeking an exemption from a particular circular, it should contact the Public Sector Commission. 

Rescinded circulars

No Title Notes Rescinded
2019-01 Participation by Public Sector Employees and Office Holders in Federal and State Elections and By-Elections. Updated guidelines  
2018-03 Requirement for agencies are to comply with  Code of Practice: Occupational Safety and Health in the Western Australian Public Sector   01-Sep-22
2018-02 Measures to achieve equality in human resource management   15-Oct-22
2018-01 Annual reporting    
2017-04 Equal employment opportunity management plans and workforce planning in the public sector    
2017-03 Workforce Management - Senior Executive Service Reduction   17-Dec-21
2017-02 Workforce Management – Senior Executive Service and leave liability   17-Dec-21
2017-01 Annual reporting    
2016-02 Annual Reporting   20-Apr-17
2016-01 Costing and Pricing Government Services   01-Apr-21
2015-05 Budget: Additional Corrective Measures - Recruitment Freeze   25-May-16
2015-04 Public Sector Commissioner's Circular: 2015-04 The involvement of WA Public Sector Employees or Office Holders in a Federal Election or By-Election    
2015-03 Risk Management and Business Continuity Planning    
2015-02 Annual Reporting   28-Apr-16
2014-03 Strategic Asset Management Framework   01-Apr-21
2014-02 Policy Framework and Standards for Information Sharing Between Government Agencies   01-Sep-22
2014-01 The Involvement of WA Public Sector Employees or Office Holders in a Federal Senate Election   18-Dec-14
2013-04 Equal Employment Opportunity Management Plans And Workforce Planning In The Public Sector    
2013-03 Policy Framework and Standards for Address Management in Public Sector Entities    
2013-02 The Involvement of WA Public Sector Employees or Office Holders in a Federal Election   02-Oct-13
2013-01 Annual Reporting   03-Apr-15
2012-05 Code of Practice Occupational Safety and Health in the WA Public Sector    
2012-04 Acting in salaries and allowances tribunal (SAT) determined positions and non SAT CEO positions    
2012-03 Guidelines for Participation with the Australian Civilian Corps   18-Dec-14
2012-01 Annual Reporting   05-Mar-14
2011-04 Social Media Guidelines for the WA Public Sector    
2011-03 Website Accessibility    
2011-02 Workforce Planning and Diversity in the Public Sector   01-Oct-13
2011-01 Annual Reporting   27-Feb-12
2010-06 WA Public Sector Employees Involvement in a Federal Election   01-Dec-11
2010-05 Computer information and internet security   02-Sep-22
2010-04 Policy Framework and Standards for Address Management in Public Sector Entities   13-Aug-13
2010-03 Policy for public sector witnesses appearing before parliamentary committees Updated guidelines 10-May-23
2010-02 Equity and Diversity in the Public Sector Workforce   20-Feb-11
2010-01 Annual Reporting   20-Feb-11
2009-36 Annual Reporting   11-Mar-10
2009-35 Re-Employment of Public Service Officers Employed in Statutory Offices   01-Nov-16
2009-34 Guidelines re Evidence to Parliamentary Committees   28-Mar-10
2009-33 Guidelines re Evidence to Parliamentary Committees   28-Mar-10
2009-31 Eligibility of Government Officers for Payment of Fees for Government Boards and Committees   03-Aug-10
2009-30 Government Intellectual Property Policy    
2009-29 Policy Framework and Standards for Information Sharing between Government Agencies   01-Dec-14
2009-28 Redeployment and Voluntary Severance Policy   01-May-15
2009-27 Complaints Management    
2009-26 Computer Information and Internet Security   15-Apr-10
2009-25 Corruption Prevention   09-Nov-09
2009-24 Appointment of Senior Executive Officers   20-Feb-09
2009-23 Implementation of the Policy Framework for Substantive Equality   01-Feb-15
2009-22 Strategic Asset Management Framework   01-Dec-14
2009-21 Public Sector Reviews and Evaluations   23-Mar-09
2009-20 Reimbursement of travel expenses for members of government boards and committees    
2009-19 Risk Management and Business Continuity Planning   25-Jun-15
2009-17 Office Accommodation Policies and the Government Office Accommodation Working Group    
2009-16 Guidelines for Successful Partnerships Between Public Sector Agencies and Volunteers    
2009-15 Information for Ministers, ministerial staff and public sector employees called as witnesses before the Corruption and Crime Commission    
2009-14 Equity and Diversity Plan 2006-2009   17-Mar-10
2009-13 Contact with Lobbyists Code and the Register of Lobbyists   12-Dec-16
2009-12 Costing and Pricing Government Services   05-Jan-16
2009-11 Code of Practice: Occupational Safety and Health in the Western Australian Public Sector   19-Dec-12
2009-10 Communications Arrangements Between Ministers and Agencies – Section 74 of the Public Sector Management Act 1994    
2009-09 Human Resource Minimum Obligatory Information Requirement for the Workforce Information System   03-Jul-12
2009-08 Requirement for Public Sector Agencies to Develop Codes of Conduct   03-Jul-12
2009-07 Government Advertising and Communications Policy   10-Nov-14
2009-06 Annual Reporting   28-Jul-09
2009-05 Identification of Public Servants Who Infringe Traffic Laws When Driving Government Vehicles    
2009-04 Employment of New Zealand Citizens    
2009-03 Training on Accountable and Ethical Decision Making in the Western Australian Public Sector   03-Jul-12
2009-02 Website Governance Framework    
2009-01 Western Australian Language Services Policy 2014    
2008/14 Western Australian Language Services Policy 2008    
2008/13 Use Of WA State Government Badge By Public Sector Agencies    
2008/12 Guidelines Applying in Western Australia During the State General Election Period (Caretaker Conventions)   23-Sep-08
2008/11 Energy Smart Government    
2008/10 Public Sector Response to Disruption of Gas Supply   12-Feb-10
2008/09 Local Industry Participation in Public and Private Sector Projects    
2008/08 Common Badging of Public Sector Agencies    
2008/07 Website Governance Framework    
2008/06 Training on Accountable and Ethical Decision Making in the Western Australian Public Sector    
2008/05 Employment of New Zealand Citizens    
2008/04 Identification of Public Servants Who Infringe Traffic Laws When Driving Government Vehicles    
2008/03 Annual Reporting    
2008/02 Government Advertising and Communications Policy and Guidelines    
2008/01 Requirement for Public Sector Agencies to Develop Codes of Conduct    
2007/16 Annual Reporting    
2007/15 Human Resource Minimum Obligatory Information Requirement for the Workforce Information System    
2007/14 Subsidiary Legislation - Explanatory Memoranda    
2007/13 Communication Agreements Between Ministers and Agencies - Section 74 of the Public Sector Management Act 1994 (PSM Act)    
2007/12 Code of Practice: Occupational Safety and Health in the Western Australian Public Sector    
2007/11 Costing and Pricing Government Services    
2007/10 Annual Reporting    
2007/09 Contact with Lobbyists Code and the Register of Lobbyists    
2007/08 Equity and Diversity Plan 2006-2009    
2007/07 Information for Ministers, Ministerial Staff and Public Sector Employees Called as Witnesses Before the Corruption and Crime Commission    
2007/06 Contact with Lobbyists Code and Register of Lobbyists    
2007/05 Agency Strategic Management   07-May-09
2007/04 Building WA Capital Works Project Signage Style Guide   12-Feb-10
2007/03 Information for Ministers, Ministerial Staff and Public Sector Employees Called as Witnesses Before the Corruption and Crime Commission    
2007/02 Spatial Data Custodianship    
2007/01 Guidelines for Official Air Travel by Government Officers    
2006/10 Reduction in State Funded Interstate and Overseas Travel by Government Officers on Official Business   04-Aug-09
2006/09 Guidelines for Successful Partnerships Between Public Sector Agencies and Volunteers    
2006/08 Management of Vegetation Under Electricity Supply Lines    
2006/07 Office Accommodation Policies and the Government Office Accommodation Working Group    
2006/06 Guidelines for Expenditure on Official Hospitality    
2006/05 Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act 2005    
2006/04 Graffiti Vandalism Removal Standards    
2006/03 Risk Management and Business Continuity Planning    
2006/02 Annual Reporting    
2006/01 Reimbursement of Travel Expenses for Members of Government Boards and Committees    
2005/15 Public Sector Reviews and Evaluations    
2005/14 Human Resource Minimum Obligatory Information Requirement    
2005/13 Legislation Review Requirements of National Competition Policy - Public Consultation    
2005/12 Foreign Acquisition of Government Assets    
2005/11 GST and Grants to Charities    
2005/10 Strategic Asset Management Framework    
2005/09 Compliance with Part IV (The Competitive Conduct Rules) of the Trade Practices Act 1974    
2005/08 Report on Consultants Engaged by Government    
2005/07 Implementation of the Policy Framework for Substantive Equality    
2005/06 Subsidiary Legislation - Explanatory Memoranda    
2005/05 Appointment of Senior Executive Officers   20-Feb-09
2005/04 Equity and Diversity Plan 2001-2005    
2005/03 Annual Reporting    
2005/02 Corruption Prevention    
2005/01 Guidelines Applying in Western Australia During the State General Election Period (Caretaker Conventions)   28-Feb-05
2004/17 Office Accommodation Policies    
2004/16 Government Electricity Demand Management   22-Jun-05
2004/15 Copyright - Payment of Remuneration for Copyright Material Used for the Services of the State   12-Feb-10
2004/14 Sustainability Code of Practice for Government Agencies    
2004/13 Guidelines for Official Air Travel by Government Officers    
2004/12 Governance Charters for Shared Services Governance Boards   30-Jun-05
2004/11 Tenders and Public Notice Advertising Policy    
2004/10 Energy Smart Government    
2004/09 Computer Information and Internet Security    
2004/08 Annual Reporting    
2004/07 Visits by Ministers of Foreign National Governments and Other Dignitaries and Procedure for Issuing Invitations    
2004/06 Guarantees, Indemnities and Sureties    
2004/05 Costing and Pricing Government Outputs   09-Jul-07
2004/04 Whole of Government Complaints Management Strategy    
2004/03 Revised Recruitment Advertising Policy Guidelines    
2004/02 Equity and Diversity Plan 2001-2005    
2004/01 Management of Vegetation Under Electricity Supply Lines    
2003/17 Requirements for Western Australian Government Publications and Library Collections    
2003/16 Agency Strategic Management    
2003/15 Statutes (Repeals and Minor Amendments) Bill    
2003/14 Cabinet Confidentiality    
2003/13 Authorisation of Television and Radio Commercials    
2003/12 Redeployment and Voluntary Severance Policy    
2003/11 Cabinet Process   04-Sep-07
2003/10 Coordination of Public Sector Labour Relations    
2003/09 Guidelines for Dealing with Cabinet Documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1992    
2003/08 State Government Access Guidelines for Information, Services and Facilities    
2003/07 Annual Reporting    
2003/06 Guidelines for Public Sector Agencies Working with Volunteers    
2003/05 Policy Framework and Standards for Information Sharing Between Government Agencies    
2003/04 Government Intellectual Property Policy    
2003/03 Eligibility of Government Officers for Payment of Fees for Government Boards and Committees    
2003/02 Retention of Records Relating to Aboriginal People    
2003/01 Days in Lieu - Public Service Holidays    
2002/17 Fixed Term Contract Staff   18-Apr-08
2002/16 Boards and Committees - Appointments   20-Nov-03
2002/15 Funding and Purchasing Agreements with the Not For Profit Sector   22-Jun-05
2002/14 Website Standards    
2002/13 Energy Smart Government    
2002/12 Appointment of Senior Executive Officers    
2002/11 Boards and Committees Appointments    
2002/10 Local Content    
2002/09 Whole of Government Contract for Air Travel    
2002/08 Reduction of Advertising and Promotions Expenditure    
2002/07 HR MOIR Information Requirement    
2002/06 Voluntary Severance and the Management of Redeployment    
2002/05 Use of Government Corporate Credit Cards by Departments and Statutory Authorities   07-Dec-04
2002/04 Subsidiary Legislation - Explanatory Memoranda    
2002/03 Guidelines for the Coordination of Ministerial Overseas Travel    
2002/02 Use of Fixed Term Contracts in the Public Sector   16-Dec-02
2002/01 Equity and Diversity Plan 2001-2005    
2001/24 Guidelines for the Management of Mobile Phones   22-Jun-05
2001/23 Public Sector Traineeships' Employment Strategy   13-Jul-06
2001/22 Establishment of the Government Accommodation Committee    
2001/21 Review of Statutory Authorities   20-Nov-03
2001/20 Reduction of Advertising and Promotions Expenditure    
2001/19 Captioning of Government TV Commercials and Videos    
2001/17 Common Badging of Public Sector Agencies    
2001/16 Guidelines for Expenditure on Official Hospitality    
2001/15 Coordination of Official Travel to the United Kingdom and Europe by Ministers and Government Officers    
2001/14 Guidelines for Official Travel by Ministers and Government Officers    
2001/13 Appointment of Senior Executive Officers    
2001/12 Machinery of Government - Implications for Office Accommodation   20-Nov-03
2001/11 Machinery of Government - Change in Nomenclature   20-Nov-03
2001/10 Publication of Annual Reports    
2001/09 Review of Public Sector Investigative Officers   16-Dec-01
2001/08 Legal Deposit of WA Government Publications    
2001/07 Conversion of Entry Level Contract Officers to Permanent Status   16-Dec-02
2001/06 Boards and Committees - Appointments    
2001/04 Appointment to Executive Positions    
2001/03 Motor Vehicles in Ministers' Offices   16-Dec-02
2001/01 International Year of Volunteers   16-Dec-02
2000/13 Part Conversion of Government Vehicle Fleet to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)   22-Jun-05
2000/12 Report of Gunning Committee - Role of Implementation Panel   16-Dec-02
2000/10 GST and Grants to Charities    
2000/09 International Year of Volunteers   16-Dec-02
2000/08 2000 Premier's Awards   16-Dec-02
2000/07 Impact of GST on Fees and Charges, and Tariffs in 2000/01   01-Nov-04
2000/06 Management of Software Contracts   16-Dec-02
2000/05 Budget Speech Contributions   16-Dec-02
2000/04 Resource Agreements   01-Nov-04
2000/03 Ministerial Air Charter - New Arrangements   23-Sep-03
2000/02 Service Improvements Through Customer Focus    
2000/01 Ministers' Representation in the Other House   16-Dec-02
1999/26 2000/2001 Budget Timetable   16-Dec-02
1999/25 Workforce Diversity    
1999/24 Public Accounts Committee - Followup Procedures for Committee Reports   15-Apr-04
1999/23 Upgrading Financial Skills in Agencies   01-Nov-04
1999/22 Foreign Acquisition of Government Assets    
1999/21 Leave Liability Management   16-Dec-02
1999/20 Agency Management of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Implementation   22-Jun-05
1999/19 Internet Employment Advertising    
1999/18 Provision of Access for People With Disabilities to Facilities and Services    
1999/16 Effect of a Breach of Section 8 (2) of the Public Sector Management Act 1994   16-Dec-02
1999/15 Annual Reports    
1999/13 New Government Fleet Policy   20-Nov-03
1999/11 Suite of Better Management Guidelines   20-Nov-03
1999/08 Redeployment and Redundancy   16-Dec-02
1999/07 Implementation of Major Change   20-Nov-03
1999/06 Resource Agreements   01-Nov-04
1999/05 Support for Onslow, Exmouth and Moora Pastoral Areas   16-Dec-02
1999/03 Option to Purchase Motor Vehicles by Ministers, Parliamentary Office Holders, Judges and Senior Public Servants   22-Jun-05
1999/01 Women in Public Sector Management    
1998/20 Acceptance and Giving of Gifts by Ministers   24-Apr-03
1998/18 Government Public Promotions    
1998/17 Executive Council - Explanatory Notes   20-Nov-03
1998/16 Security Arrangements for Ministers' Residences   20-Nov-03
1998/15 Ministers' Representation in the Other House   16-Dec-02
1998/14 Retention of Records Relating to Aboriginal People    
1998/13 Ministers' Representation in the Other House   16-Dec-02
1998/11 Customer Surveys - Response to the Auditor General's Findings    
1998/10 Maintenance of Government Internet Sites    
1998/09 State Government Support for Defence Reserves   07-Dec-04
1998/05 Budget Targets for 1998/99   16-Dec-02
1998/04 Liaison and Communication with Overseas Offices    
1998/01 Legislation Review Program Under National Competition Policy    
1997/16 Indian Ocean Territories    
1997/14 Ministerial Travel    
1997/12 Guidelines for Expenditure on Official Hospitality    
1997/08 Year 2000 Date Problem   16-Dec-02
1997/01 Traffic and Parking Fines   16-Dec-02
1996/22 National Competition Policy: State Government Granted Exemptions from Part IV of the Trade Practices Act 1974    
1996/21 Visits by Ministers and Other Dignitaries of Foreign National Governments    
1996/17 Travel to South Africa    
1996/12 Centenary of Federation   16-Dec-02
1996/06 National Competition Policy: Extension of Part IV (The Competitive Conduct Rules) of the Trade Practices Act 1974    
1996/05 Competitive Tendering and Contracting: Union Involvement   13-Jul-06
1995/28 Copyright Agency Limited - Negotiations with the WA Government    
1995/26 Guidelines for the Use of Credit Cards and Taxis in Ministerial Offices   16-Dec-02
1995/24 Executive Council Submissions - Guidelines and Procedures   20-Nov-02
1995/23 Ministers and Ministers Offices - Impact of the Public Sector Management Act 1994 on Operations   16-Dec-02
1995/16 Ministerial Overseas Travel    
1994/46 Contracting Out of Services   13-Jul-06
1994/45 Report on Consultants Engaged by Government    
1994/44 Guarantees, Indemnities and Sureties    
1994/39 Information Radio    
1994/38 Disposal of Government Libraries Collections    
1994/37 Program Evaluation    
1994/36 Appointment of Chief Executive Officers   16-Dec-02
1994/33 Appointment of Staff to Ministerial Offices   08-Aug-03
1994/31 Ministerial Air Charter - New Arrangements    
1994/28 Strategic Asset Management and Capital Works Projects    
1994/26 Contractual Arrangements   13-Jul-06
1994/18 Costing Government Activities by Competitive Tendering and Contracting    
1994/15 Guidelines for Dealing with Cabinet Documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1992    
1994/13 Passports for Official Travel to Iran by State Government Officers    
1994/06 Coordination of Public Sector Labour Relations    
1994/01 Public Service Holidays    
1993/46 Competitive Tendering and Contracting   13-Jul-06
1993/43 Overseas Travel Expenses Reports    
1993/39 Records Disposal Guidelines - Ministerial Offices   22-Jun-05
1993/30 Invitations to Ministers of Foreign National Governments    
1993/28 Flying the Australian Flag   20-Nov-03
1993/26 Legal Deposit of WA Government Publications    
1993/24 Guidelines for Use of Official Vehicles   30-Jun-05
1993/21 Ministerial Expenses - Use of Government Corporate Credit Card   16-Dec-02
1993/15 Better Government Agreement   16-Dec-02
1993/06 Travel by Ministers and Government Officers on Official Business    
1992/32 Public Sector Staffing Procedures   16-Dec-02
1992/07 Appointment of Staff to Ministerial Offices   08-Aug-03
1992/02 Appointments to Boards and Committees - Women in Decision Making Policy - Use of Women's Register   20-Nov-03
1991/31 Government Building Contracts - Policy on Regional Preference and Apprentices   16-Dec-02
1991/14 Government Tendering Processes - Industrial Tribunal Award Compliance   16-Dec-02
1990/49 Superannuation Policy   22-Jun-05
1988/43 Official Travel to Taiwan    
1987/23 Guidelines re Evidence to Parliamentary Committees    
1987/19 Advertising on Government Vehicles   22-Jun-05
1987/07 Guidelines re Evidence to Parliamentary Committees    
1987/01 Subsidisation of Telephone Services in Officers' Private Residences   20-Nov-03
1985/66 Corporate Planning    
1984/86 Aircraft Safety Standards for Ministers of the Crown   03-Mar-04
1984/43 Personal Accident Insurance Cover - Part-Time and Private Members of Government Boards and Committees   20-Nov-03
1983/69 The Use of 4WD Vehicles in the Government Fleet   16-Dec-02
1983/53 Film and Videotapes Produced for Government Agencies    
1982/29 Fees and Allowances - Government Boards and Committees