The environment of public sector administration is multifaceted.
The illustration on this page provides an overview of the environment that governs how agencies operate, deliver services and manage resources in an efficient and transparent way.
The illustration is not intended to be exhaustive.
It has examples of core legislation and compliance instruments that apply in the public sector. It also includes examples of independent bodies as well as Parliament and its committees that provide oversight for and scrutiny of activities undertaken by the public sector.
In addition to what is set out in the illustration, each agency needs to consider other administrative and legislative requirements that apply specifically to it.
To the side of the illustration are the principles set out in the Public Sector Management Act 1994 of public administration and management, human resource management and conduct as well as the code of ethics. These are the foundations for how agencies and their employees are expected to undertake their work and conduct themselves.
The illustration can be used for a variety of purposes to help agencies frame their work including in the areas of governance, accountability and integrity.
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Show morePublic Sector Administration
Illustration of some core legislative and administrative arrangements that apply in the WA public sector
Agency Instruments
- Agency Code of Conduct
- Agency enabling legislation
- Agency values, policies and procedures
Compliance instruments
- Code of Ethics
- Public Sector Commissioner’s Instructions
- Premier’s Circulars
- Treasurer’s Instructions
- Procurement Directions
- Disability Access and Inclusion Plans
- Misconduct Notification Requirements
- Record Keeping Plans
- Equal Opportunity Management Plans
- CEO Delivery and Performance Agreements
- Public Interest Disclosure Processes
- Public Sector Commissioner’s Circulars
- Approved Procedures
Legislation
- Public Sector Management Act 1994
- Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1971
- Auditor General Act 2006
- Financial Management Act 2006
- Procurement Act 2020
- State Records Act 2000
- Freedom of Information Act 1992
- Disability Services Act 1993
- Corruption, Crime and Misconduct Act 2003
- Public Interest Disclosure Act 2003
- Equal Opportunity Act 1984
- Work Health and Safety Act 2020
- Industrial Relations Act 1979
- Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004
- Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993
- Electoral Act 1907
- Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing Act 2024
Oversight
- Corruption and Crime Commissioner
- Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment
- Equal Opportunity Commissioner
- Information Commissioner
- Ombudsman
- Public Sector Commissioner
- State Records Office
- WorkSafe Commission
Scrutiny
- Parliament and its committees
Examples:
- Public Accounts Committee
- Standing Committee on Public Administration
- Standing Committee on Estimates and Financial Operations
Public Sector Management Act 1994
- Public administration and management principles (section 7) - Service to the community; financial management and accounting; record keeping
- Human resource management principles (section 8) - Merit and equity in selection processes; no nepotism or patronage; fair and consistent treatment of employees; no unlawful discrimination; safe and healthy working conditions
- Conduct principles (section 9) - Standards and codes; integrity; scrupulous use of official information, equipment and facilities; courtesy, consideration and sensitivity
- Code of ethics (section 21) - Minimum standards of conduct and integrity
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