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Number 104 | 15 October 2014

Legal briefing

Misconduct in the Australian Public Service
The regime for dealing with misconduct is one element in the management of an
efficient and effective Australian Public Service (APS).1

The main purposes of the APS misconduct regime are to protect the public,
maintain proper standards of conduct by members of the APS and maintain public
confidence in the integrity and reputation of the APS.2
Formal misconduct action is only one means of achieving these purposes. In
some cases it is more appropriate to address conduct issues by means of other
management action.
In particular, performance or medical problems that lead to conduct problems
might be best addressed by management action other than misconduct action.
This briefing examines some key aspects of the misconduct regime.3

Paul Vermeesch

Deputy Chief Solicitor Dispute Resolution
T 02 6253 7428
paul.vermeesch@ags.gov.au

Legislation

In this issue

Public Service Act 1999

Legislation

1

Legislative history

3

APS Code of Conduct

5

Comments on some provisions of the
Code of Conduct

9

The employment of people in the APS is
governed primarily by the Public Service
Act 1999 (the PS Act). The PS Act provides
the standards of conduct required by APS
employees and the possible consequences
of misconduct. The PS Act sets out the APS
Values, the APS Employment Principles,
the APS Code of Conduct (the Code) and
provisions about how to deal with possible
breaches of the Code.4

1	See the objects of the PS Act set out in s 3.
2	See the discussion below on the purpose of the APS
misconduct regime.

Decision-makers in agency misconduct processes 12
Suspension from duties

15

Process in agency for determination of
breach issues

16

Some procedural issues

19

Information and records management

25

Avenues of redress

26

Whistleblower protections under the
Public Interest Disclosure Act

30

Workers’ compensation

31

3	This Briefing replaces AGS Legal Briefing No 80. References
to legislation are current as at 1 September 2014.
4	See the APS Values in s 10, the APS Employment Principles
in s 10A, the APS Code of Conduct in s 13 and provisions
in s 15 about how to deal with possible breaches of the Code.

1

Legal briefing 104 15 October 2014

Regulations and instruments
The following regulations and instruments are also relevant to the misconduct regime
for APS employees:
• the Public Service Regulations 1999 (the PS Regs)
• instruments made under the PS Act:
–– t he directions on the APS Values made by the Australian Public Service
Commissioner under s 115
–– t he directions made by the Australian Public Service Commissioner under
s 15(6), which set out the basic requirements for agency procedures for
determining breaches of the Code in the agency and imposition of any sanction6
–– t he procedures made by each agency head under s 15(3) for determining
breaches of the Code in the agency and imposition of any sanction.7

Employee knowledge of legislation
Each APS employee is required to inform themselves about the PS Act, the PS Regs and
the directions of the Australian Public Service Commissioner under the PS Act.8

Purpose of APS misconduct provisions9
The High Court has held that public service legislation in Australia:
• serves public and constitutional purposes as well as those of employment
• f acilitates government carrying into effect its constitutional obligations to act in
the public interest
• c ontains a number of strictures and limitations that, for reasons of the public and
government interest, go beyond the implied contractual duty of good faith and
fidelity that many employees would owe to an employer.10
The High Court has held that the misconduct provisions of the PS Act are directed at
securing values proper to a public service: those of integrity and the maintenance of
public confidence in that integrity.11
5

See Chapter 1 of the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2013.

6

See Chapter 6 of the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2013.

7	Section 15(4) of the PS Act requires that the procedures in each agency must comply with the basic procedural requirements
set out in the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2013.
8

See reg 3.16 of the PS Regs.

9	The Public Service Act 1922 referred to ‘disciplining’ public servants for misconduct. The current PS Act no longer uses the term
‘discipline’, but it does refer to sanctions. The general practice now is to refer to a conduct or misconduct or Code of Conduct
matter, rather than a discipline matter, and this practice is adopted in this Briefing. As a matter of normal English usage it is
correct to describe the regulation of conduct of APS employees under the PS Act 1999 as a discipline regime.
10	See Commissioner of Taxation v Day (2008) 236 CLR 163 at [34] to [35]. The implied contractual duty referred to by the High
Court is the employee’s duty of good faith and fidelity, as discussed by Finn J in McManus v Scott-Charlton (1996) 70 FCR 16
at 24 to 25. As to the content of the implied duty owed by an APS employee, see Bennett v President, Human Rights and Equal
Opportunity Commission (2003) 134 FCR 334 at [117] to [127].

2

11	See Commissioner of Taxation v Day (2008) 236 CLR 163 at [34]–[35]. The case concerned the Public Service Act 1922. The High
Court expressly indicated at [34] and footnote 97 that these views apply generally to public service legislation in Australia and
in particular to the PS Act.
	The High Court endorsed the observations of Finn J in McManus v Scott-Charlton (1996) 70 FCR 16 at 24 to 25, including
the holding by Finn J that the purpose of the statutory regulation of the conduct of public servants in the APS is to ensure
continued public confidence in the integrity of the public service and of public servants in the APS and to secure values proper
to be required of a public service in the Australian system of government.
	See also, for example, Bragg v Secretary, Department of Employment, Education and Training [1996] 476 FCA 1 (Bragg), where the
Federal Court (Madgwick J), adopting the decision of the Full Federal Court in Hardcastle v Commissioner of Police (1984)
53 ALR 593 at 597 about the protective nature of the discipline regime applicable to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), held
that the objects of the APS misconduct regime include to protect the public, to maintain proper standards of conduct by
members of the APS and to protect the reputation of the APS. The decision in Bragg concerned the Public Service Act 1922,
but the principles should apply equally under the current PS Act. See, for example, s 13(11) of the PS Act, which requires APS
employees to behave in a way that upholds the integrity and good reputation of the APS.

Misconduct in the Australian Public Service

Misconduct action does not involve the imposition of punishment for criminal offences.12
It is clear that the purpose of the misconduct regime under the PS Act is protective
(rather than punitive) – that is, the regime is intended to protect the public, maintain
proper standards of conduct by APS employees and protect the reputation of the APS.13

Legislative history
Introduction of Public Service Act 1999
The current PS Act replaced the Public Service Act 1922.14 The 1999 misconduct
provisions were introduced to address deficiencies identified in the misconduct
provisions of the Public Service Act 1922, which were seen as being:
• too complex and legalistic
• too heavily weighted on process and concepts similar to those in criminal law
• out of touch with modern management philosophies
• concerned more with process than with outcomes.
The misconduct provisions introduced in 1999 were intended to
provide a means for new approaches for dealing with misconduct
that:
• dispense with red tape
• ensure procedural fairness
• e
 nable agency heads to adopt procedures appropriate for
their agency.15

Changes to Public Service Act effective 1 July 2013

‘...the [misconduct]
regime is intended
to protect the public,
maintain proper
standards of conduct
by APS employees and
protect the reputation
of the APS.’

 elevant provisions of the PS Act and PS Regs were significantly amended with effect
R
from 1 July 2013.16 The amendments were made as part of a reform agenda to position
the APS to better serve the Australian government and Australian community.17
Amendments intended to allow agencies to deal more effectively and efficiently with
misconduct included:
• extensively revising the APS Values and introducing the APS Employment Principles
12	In R v White; Ex parte Byrnes (1963) 109 CLR 665, the High Court held that the disciplinary regime under the Public Service Act
1922 did not create offences punishable as crimes and that decision-making to impose a sanction by way of fine did not involve
the exercise of federal judicial power (that is, the management of APS employees, including by way of misconduct action,
involves the exercise of executive power, not judicial power). The decision concerned the PS Act 1922, but the principles should
apply equally under the current PS Act. See also White v Director of Military Prosecutions (2007) 231 CLR 570.
	Section 15 of the PS Act does not by its terms create criminal offences. Section 42 of the PS Act provides that the directions of
the Australian Public Service Commissioner under the PS Act must not create offences or impose penalties.
13	See the objects set out in s 3, the Code in s 13, the APS Values in s 10 and the APS Employment Principles in s 10A. See also the
cases referred to in footnotes 11 and 12.
14	Some caution needs to be exercised when considering whether case law about discipline under the Public Service Act 1922
has application to current provisions in the PS Act. Most of the court cases about the APS that are referred to in this Briefing
concern the Public Service Act 1922.
15

See the Senate, Public Service Bill 1999, explanatory memorandum, para 3.20.4.

16	See the Public Service Amendment Act 2013 and the Public Service Amendment Regulation 2013 (No 1). Schedule 4 of the Public
Service Amendment Act 2013 contains transitional provisions. The transitional provisions for the PS Regs are included in Pt 10 of
the Regs.
17	See House of Representatives, Public Service Amendment Bill 2012, second reading speech, 1 March 2012, at 2443 to 2445. The
reform agenda included implementation of the recommendations in the report Ahead of the game: blueprint for the reform of
Australian government administration.

3

Legal briefing 104 15 October 2014

• e
 mpowering the Australian Public Service Commissioner and the Merit Protection
Commissioner to determine alleged breaches of the Code by current and former
APS employees18
• e
 mpowering agencies to determine alleged breaches of the Code by former APS
employees
• e
 nabling agencies to take misconduct action against an APS employee for their
pre-employment conduct in connection with their engagement as an APS employee
• a
 pplying the conduct requirements in ss 13(1) to 13(4) in connection with the
employee’s employment (rather than in the course of employment)
• r equiring an agency’s procedures under s 15(3) to include procedures for
determining sanction as well as breach.

Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2013
Consequential to these changes to the PS Act and PS Regs, the Australian Public Service
Commissioner’s Directions 2013 replaced the Commissioner’s previous directions with
effect from 1 July 2013. The new directions significantly revise the provisions on the
APS Values. Changes of particular interest for misconduct include:
• a
 n extensive explanatory note in Chapter 1 about the APS Values and how they are
enforced
• a
 requirement to report and address misconduct and other unacceptable behaviour
by public servants in a fair, timely and effective way, having regard to the
individual’s duties and responsibilities19
• b
 asic procedural requirements in Chapter 6 for determining breaches of the Code
and imposing any sanction – before 1 July 2013 the procedures only covered
determination of breach20
• t he Australian Public Service Commissioner’s new power to issue standards and
guidance for agencies to follow in deciding whether to initiate a Code inquiry under
s 15(3) procedures where the conduct of an APS employee raises concerns about both
effective performance and possible breaches of the Code.21

Changes to Public Service Act effective 1 July 2014
Minor revisions to some elements of the Code came into effect from 1 July 2014.22 These
changes were to make the Code consistent with the duties of APS employees under the
Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 from 1 July 2014.

18	Generally references in this briefing to an employee in the context of breach of the Code should be understood to include
a former employee who is suspected of having breached the Code while they were an APS employee. A sanction cannot be
imposed on a former employee.
19	Clause 1.3(f) provides that, having regard to an individual’s duties and responsibilities, upholding the APS Value in s 10(2) of
the PS Act requires reporting and addressing misconduct and other unacceptable behaviour by public servants in a fair, timely
and effective way. The APS Value in s 10(2) is that the APS demonstrates leadership, is trustworthy and acts with integrity in all
that it does. The requirement extends to misconduct and other unacceptable behaviour by public servants generally. It is not
confined to misconduct and other unacceptable behaviour by APS employees.
20

Chapter 6 is discussed in detail below.

21	See Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2013, cl 4.2. As at 1 September 2014 the Australian Public Service
Commissioner has not issued any relevant standards and guidance.
22	See the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2014, Sch 11, items 93–95.
APS employees are subject to general duties, as officials, under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.

4

Misconduct in the Australian Public Service

APS Code of Conduct
The PS Act sets out duties of APS employees. Where it is suspected that these duties have
been breached, an agency can take formal misconduct action. Such action can be taken
only in accordance with the relevant statutory provisions.23
APS employees are required to adhere to the Code,24 which includes a requirement
that they must at all times behave in a way that upholds the APS Values and the APS
Employment Principles.25 The Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2013
detail the specific conduct expectations and standards required to uphold each of the
APS Values.26
An APS employee is liable to sanctions only if they are found to have breached the
Code.27 A determination about a Code breach can be made for a current or former
APS employee.28 However, a sanction can only be imposed on a current APS employee.29

Other conduct standards
The standards of behaviour of APS employees are not set only by the PS Act. APS
employees are subject to other legal obligations about their conduct, including under
statute law and the general law. For example:
• A
 PS employees are subject to general duties, as officials, under
the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act
2013.30
• U
 nder the general law, APS employees are subject to a duty of
good faith and fidelity.31
Breach of statutory obligations can be a breach of the Code under
s 13(4) of the PS Act.32 Breach of obligations under statute or the

‘An APS employee is
liable to sanctions
only if they are found
to have breached the
Code.’

general law may also involve a breach of other elements of the Code, such as the
requirement in s 13(11) to behave in a way that upholds the APS Values and the
integrity and good reputation of the agency and the APS.

23

See s 15 of the PS Act.

24	See s 13 of the PS Act, which sets out the Code. Section 15(2A) sets out certain circumstances where conduct by an APS
employee that is in connection with their engagement as an APS employee, and that was engaged in before they became an
APS employee, is deemed to be a breach of the Code.
25	See s 13(11)(a) of the PS Act. The APS Values are set out in s 10. The APS Employment Principles are set out in s 10A.
26	See s 42(2) of the PS Act, which requires that Agency Heads and APS employees must comply with the directions issued by the
Australian Public Service Commissioner under the PS Act.
27	Any breach of the Code must be found in accordance with the procedures made by the relevant agency head under s 15(3) where
the agency determines breach; or in accordance with the procedures made by the relevant Commissioner under s 15(3) where
the Australian Public Service Commissioner or Merit Protection Commissioner determines breach: see ss 15, 41B(3) and 50A(2) of
the PS Act. An APS employee is also liable to sanctions if they have engaged in certain pre-employment conduct that is taken to
have breached the Code in accordance with s 15(2A).
28	See s 15(3).
29	See s 15(1).
30	Guidance on duties of officials under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, including their
complementary operation with the Code, is available in the Department of Finance publication Resource management guide
No 203 – general duties of officials.
31	The Federal Court has recognised that APS employees owe to the Commonwealth an obligation of good faith and fidelity. See
Bennett v President, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (2003) 134 FCR 334 at [117]–[127]. The decision concerned
the Public Service Act 1922, but the principles should apply equally under the current PS Act.
32	Section 13(4) of the Act requires that an APS employee, when acting in connection with APS employment, must comply with all
applicable Australian laws. It is discussed further below.

5

Legal briefing 104 15 October 2014

Persons bound by the APS Code of Conduct
The Code applies only to APS employees as defined by the PS Act.33 This includes
ongoing and non-ongoing employees and any Head of Mission.34 It does not include

locally engaged employees (that is, staff engaged overseas under s 74 to perform
duties overseas).
By s 14, the Code also applies to:
• an agency head35
• a
 person who holds any office or appointment under an Act and prescribed by the
PS Regs.36

Conduct of employees regulated by the Code of Conduct – extension to
conduct outside work
Usually, under the general law, action against an employee for misconduct should be
taken only where there is sufficient connection between the alleged misconduct and
the employment.37 Under the general law this can involve consideration of whether the
conduct is contrary to the employee’s duty of good faith and fidelity or is repugnant to
the employment relationship.38
The PS Act governs whether action can be taken against an APS employee for
misconduct. The principles of the general law are subject to the specific provisions
of the PS Act. An APS employee is liable to sanctions if the employee is found, in
accordance with the agency’s s 15(3) procedures, to have breached the Code.
The conduct requirements in s 13(11) (which apply to the conduct of an employee at all
times) and the requirements in some other provisions of the Code can potentially be
breached by conduct of an APS employee outside the course of APS employment or not
otherwise connected with APS employment.39 However, the terms of the Code are such
that generally a breach will be in some way related to APS employment.
In some cases, conduct by an APS employee that might appear purely personal can
involve a breach of the Code – for example:
• having contact with or harassing a fellow employee outside the workplace40
33	An APS employee is defined by s 7 of the PS Act.
34

See s 39. A Head of Mission is required to be an APS employee.

35	An ‘Agency Head’ is defined by s 7. Section 41A sets out the powers of the Australian Public Service Commissioner to inquire
into alleged breaches of the Code by agency heads.
36	See s 14(3). Regulation 2.2 prescribes certain persons for the purposes of the definition of ‘statutory office holder’ in s 14(3). They
include certain persons who have dealings with APS employees in a supervisory capacity or another capacity related to the
person’s day-to-day working relationship with APS employees. The statutory office holders are bound by the Code when acting
in these capacities. Regulation 2.2(3)(b) also sets out, for the purposes of s 14(2A), provisions concerning the extent to which
statutory office holders are bound by the Code. Regulation 2.2(3)(b) provides that a statutory office holder is not bound by the
Code to the extent that the Code is inconsistent with legislation relating to the statutory appointment or office.
37	See, for example, Hussein v Westpac Banking Corporation (1995) 59 IR 103 at 107 and Coward v Gunns Veneer Pty Ltd [1997]
FCA 1341.
38	See Blyth Chemicals v Bushnells [(933) 49 CLR 66. See Bennett v President, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
(2003) 134 FCR 334 at [117]–[127] for a discussion of the content of the obligation of good faith and fidelity owed by an APS
employee to the Commonwealth.
39	The courts have recognised that the PS Act can properly regulate and enforce what might be called the private conduct of an
APS employee: Commissioner of Taxation v Day (2008) 236 CLR 163 at [34], referring with approval to McManus v Scott-Charlton
(1996) 70 FCR 16 at 24–25. The decisions concerned the Public Service Act 1922, but the principles should apply equally under the
current PS Act. See also Griffiths v Rose (2011) 192 FCR 130 regarding improper ‘private’ use of a work computer. Some provisions
of the Code apply only to conduct in connection with APS employment, but other provisions are not so restricted in their
application.
40	For example, where such conduct is contrary to a lawful and reasonable direction. In a case where harassment of one employee
by another outside of work arose from the work relationship and had an adverse impact within the workplace, a direction
prohibiting contact outside work was held by the Federal Court to be lawful and reasonable: McManus v Scott-Charlton (1996)
70 FCR 16, which was referred to with approval by the High Court in Commissioner of Taxation v Day (2008) 236 CLR 163 at [34].
The decisions concerned the Public Service Act 1922, but the principles should apply equally under the current PS Act.

6

Misconduct in the Australian Public Service

• v
 iewing pornography alone at home outside of work hours using a work computer
on a privately owned internet connection41
• b
 eing convicted of a criminal offence for conduct that is entirely unrelated to the
workplace but involves a breach of s 13(11) (for example, dishonest conduct is
inconsistent with the APS Value that states that the APS is trustworthy and acts
with integrity in all it does).42

Conduct requirements in the Code of Conduct
The conduct requirements in ss 13(1), (2), (3) and (4) of the Act apply only where
an APS employee is acting ‘in connection with’ APS employment. Section 13(7) is
concerned with conflicts of interest in connection with APS employment. Section 13(9)
is concerned with requests for information made for official purposes in connection
with the employee’s APS employment. The duty not to disclose information under reg
2.1 (which is made for the purposes of s 13(13)) applies to information that an APS
employee obtains or generates in connection with their employment.
Sections 13(5), (6), (8) and (10) apply to specified types of conduct and will generally
involve some relationship with APS employment.
Section 13(11) requires that an APS employee at all times behave in
a way that upholds the APS Values, the APS Employment Principles
and the integrity and good reputation of the employee’s agency and
the APS.43 Section 13(12) requires that an APS employee on duty
overseas must at all times behave in a way that upholds the good
reputation of Australia.

Conduct connected with APS employment
In the context of the Code, conduct in connection with APS
employment should be construed broadly. For example, it is not
confined to performance of the tasks of the job or other conduct in
the course of employment. It can include:

‘…an APS employee
[must] at all times
behave in a way that
upholds the APS Values,
the APS Employment
Principles and the
integrity and good
reputation of the
employee’s agency
and the APS.’

• c onduct that is authorised expressly or impliedly or is incidental
to what the employee is authorised to do44
• conduct that is part of the employee’s functions as an employee45
• conduct in the purported performance of duties, even if not in fact authorised46
• any other conduct that has a connection with APS employment.
Conduct outside the normal workplace and normal working hours can be conduct in
connection with employment (or even in the course of employment). For example, in
some cases, an APS employee who engages in harassing behaviour at a social event
41	For example, where such conduct is contrary to a lawful and reasonable direction: see Griffiths v Rose (2011) 192 FCR 130.
Misuse of a work computer could also be a breach of the Code on the ground of use of Commonwealth resources in an
improper manner or for an improper purpose: s 13(8).
42	See the APS Value in s 10(2) and the requirements of cl 1.3 the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2013 about
the highest standards of ethical behaviour and acting in a way that is right and proper. The APS Value in s 10(2) is that the APS
demonstrates leadership, is trustworthy and acts with integrity in all that it does.
43

Compare Mocicka v Chief of Army (2003) 175 FLR 476; [2003] ADFDAT 1.

44	On the concept of ‘in the course of’ APS employment see Day v Douglas [1999] FCA 1444 and on appeal Commonwealth v Day
[2000] FCA 474 concerning the discipline provisions of the Public Service Act 1922 relating to ‘improper conduct as an officer’.
Compare workers’ compensation cases: Kavanagh v Commonwealth (1960) 103 CLR 547 at 559; Commonwealth v Oliver (1962)
107 CLR 353 at 358; Commonwealth v Lyons (1979) 24 ALR 300 at 301 concerning the course of employment. The concept of ‘in
connection with’ APS employment is broader than the concept of ‘in the course of’ APS employment.
45

Compare Canadian Pacific Tobacco Co Ltd v Stapleton (1952) 86 CLR 1.

46

 ay v Douglas [1999] FCA 1444 at [32] and Commonwealth v Day [2000] FCA 474 at [16]. Producing a Customs identification
D
card can establish that the officer purports to be carrying out official duties. In such circumstances, the officer can be found
to be acting as an officer, even though the officer maintains the conduct was purely personal and even though the employer
maintains the conduct was not authorised.

7

Legal briefing 104 15 October 2014

organised or endorsed by the employer agency would be in breach of the requirement
in s 13(3) that an APS employee not harass others when acting in connection with
APS employment.
Before being amended by the Public Service Amendment Act 2013 (with effect from
1 July 2013), ss 13(1), 2), (3) and (4) governed conduct where an APS employee was acting
in the course of APS employment. The relevant statutory test now is in connection with
APS employment. There is no requirement that the conduct be in ‘direct’ connection
with employment.47 In some circumstances the association between the conduct and
the employment will be so indirect or remote that it cannot properly be regarded as
conduct in connection with employment.

Pre-employment conduct
The Code in s 13 does not apply to any conduct before a person became an APS
employee. For example, the provisions of s 13 do not apply to conduct of a prospective
employee who provides false information in a pre-employment vetting process before
becoming an APS employee.
From 1 July 2013, s 15(2A) of the PS Act makes certain types of pre-employment conduct
in connection with the person’s engagement as an APS employee a breach of the Code.
This includes:
• knowingly providing false or misleading information
• w
 ilfully failing to disclose information that the person knew, or ought reasonably
to have known, was relevant
• otherwise failing to behave with honesty and integrity.
 efore s 15(2A), APS agencies had generally taken certain measures to allow them to
B
take action against a person who had been dishonest in a pre-employment vetting
process. For example:
• T
 he agency could ask a person, once they become an employee, to confirm that
the information they gave in the pre-employment vetting processes is correct and
complete. The Code applies to the employee’s conduct in giving that confirmation.
This measure is no longer necessary since the amendments effective from
1 July 2013.
• T
 he agency could make engagement under s 22(6) conditional on the employee
having provided complete and accurate information in pre-employment vetting
processes. Failure to meet this condition could make their employment liable to
termination.48 Agencies may wish to continue to use this measure, as it potentially
enables them to terminate employment for failure to meet a condition of
engagement. It may be simpler to do this than to use a formal misconduct process.

Former employees49
Section 13 sets out the conduct standards required of an APS employee. With the
exception of pre-employment conduct, as discussed above, the conduct of an employee
can be a breach of the requirements of the Code in s 13 only where the person engaged
in the conduct while an APS employee.
47	The Public Service Amendment Bill 2012 explanatory memorandum stated at [26] that the amendment to the first 4 elements
of the Code was so that ‘they apply to conduct where there is a connection between that conduct and the employee’s
employment’.
48	See s 29(3)(f) of the PS Act. See Achieng v Commonwealth of Australia (Centrelink) [2010] FWA 5174 for an example of a case
where employment was successfully terminated for failure to meet such a condition of engagement.

8

49	Generally references in this Briefing to an employee in the context of breach of the Code should be understood to include
a former employee who is suspected of having breached the Code while they were an APS employee. A sanction cannot be
imposed on a former employee.

Misconduct in the Australian Public Service

Where a person, as an APS employee, has engaged in conduct that is suspected to breach
the Code, the agency can institute or continue a formal process for determining whether
the person has breached the Code even if they are no longer an APS employee.50 But no
sanction can be imposed on a person who is not an APS employee.51

Elements of the Code of Conduct
A failure to comply with any sub-element of the Code can be a breach. For example, it
would be a breach of s 13(1) if an APS employee either failed to behave with honesty or
failed to behave with integrity in connection with APS employment. Similarly, it would
be a breach of s 13(11) if they failed to behave in a way that upheld any element of the
APS Values or the APS Employment Principles or the integrity of their agency or the APS
or the good reputation of the agency or the APS.52

Intention not required
Under criminal law, a mental element is usually required to
establish an offence (for example, a person must have deliberately,
knowingly, intentionally or recklessly done the relevant act). Under
the PS Act, it is not necessary to establish that a failure to comply
with the Code involves this mental element.53

‘A failure to comply
with any sub-element
of the Code can be a
breach.’

 here it is found that an employee has failed to comply with certain obligations
W
imposed by the Code, some consideration of their mental state might be required – for
example, depending on the circumstances, where an employee has acted dishonestly
in breach of s 13(1). Also, the employee’s state of mind can be relevant to the
determination of sanction.

Interpretation of the Code
The Code generally applies according to the ordinary and natural meaning of its terms
in their context. These terms generally are not defined by the PS Act and generally do
not have any technical meaning.

Comments on some provisions of the Code of Conduct
Section 13(4) – compliance with laws
Laws covered by section 13(4)

Section 13(4) of the Code requires an APS employee acting in connection with APS
employment to comply with all applicable Australian laws. Section 13(4) defines
‘Australian law’ as:
• any Act of the Commonwealth Parliament, or any instrument made under such an Act
• any law of a State or Territory, including any instrument made under such law.
50

See s 15(3).

51

See s 15(1).

52	See Rothfield v Australian Bureau of Statistics [PR 927240] AIRC (3 February 2003), where Senior Deputy President Lacy held that
the provisions in s 13(3) should be read disjunctively.
53	Compare O’Connell v Palmer (1994) 53 FCR 429, where the Full Court of the Federal Court held that it is not a necessary element
of a charge of improper conduct under the disciplinary regime in the AFP that the officer concerned was aware that what
they were doing would be regarded as improper. See also Bercove v Hermes (No 3) (1983) 74 FLR 315, where a Full Court of the
Federal Court held that it was open to find that a Commonwealth public servant infringed the proscription against improper
conduct even though the employee believed in the ‘legitimacy and propriety’ of the employee’s actions. The Full Federal
Court supported the approach adopted by the judge at first instance (in Bercove v Hermes (1983) 67 FLR 186 at 195) that the
propriety of the actions of a public servant should be assessed by reference to the standard of conduct expected of a public
servant, having regard principally to the expectations of the public. The decisions concerned the Public Service Act 1922, but the
principles should apply equally under the current PS Act.
	In R v White; Ex parte Byrnes (1963) 109 CLR 665, the High Court held that the disciplinary regime under the Public Service Act
1922 did not create offences punishable as crimes. See also White v Director of Military Prosecutions (2007) 231 CLR 570.

9

Legal briefing 104 15 October 2014

The laws covered by s 13(4) include any Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation.
It is not clear whether, under s 13(4), State or Territory law includes the common law
(that is, non-statutory judge-made law) that applies in the State or Territory.54
The laws that an APS employee must comply with under s 13(4) include any applicable
statutory standard of conduct, including the standards of conduct in the PS Act, the
PS Regs and the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2013. It can include
a conduct standard contained in a statute where that statute sets out a conduct
requirement and also provides that a breach is a criminal offence. A person making a
decision on a breach may find that an employee has failed to comply with a conduct
standard in an applicable Australian law provided that this does not involve any
finding that a criminal offence has been committed.55
Examples of laws covered by section 13(4)

Relevant conduct requirements in the PS Act, in addition to those in the Code in s 13,
include:
• t hat senior executive service (SES) employees model and promote the APS Values,
the APS Employment Principles and compliance with the Code56
• t hat agency heads and APS employees comply with the directions issued by the
Australian Public Service Commissioner under the PS Act.57
Obligations imposed on APS employees by other Acts which might be of particular
interest to agencies include:
• g
 eneral duties of APS employees, as officials, under the Public Governance,
Performance and Accountability Act 201358
• obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• statutory secrecy, non-disclosure and privacy provisions.

Code of Conduct or criminal law action?
Where an APS employee engages in conduct that can breach both the Code and the
criminal law, the agency needs to make a management decision about the handling
of the case. For example, the agency must decide whether to refer the matter to the
Australian Federal Police and/or the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions
for criminal investigation and/or possible prosecution. In some situations agencies
will have an obligation to notify the police.59
If a criminal investigation or prosecution takes place, the agency needs to decide
whether it will proceed with misconduct action or defer action pending the outcome
of the criminal investigation or prosecution.60
54	There is a single common law of Australia (as determined by the High Court), but the common law can vary in each state and
territory of Australia to the extent that the common law is modified by the legislation of each State and Territory.
55	Compare Today FM (Sydney) Pty Ltd v Australian Communications and Media Authority [2014] FCAFC 22 (which at the time of
writing is the subject of an appeal to the High Court).
56	See s 35(3). See also the obligation in cl 1.8 of the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2013 for an SES employee
to promote and reflect the APS Values. Under s 42(2) APS employees are obliged to comply with the Australian Public Service
Commissioner’s Directions 2013.
57	See s 42(2) of the PS Act and the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2013. Section 7 defines the Commissioner’s
Directions as referred to in s 42(2).
58	The 5 general duties of officials under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 are: duty of care and
diligence (s 25); duty to act honestly, in good faith and for a proper purpose (s 26); duty in relation to use of position (s 27); duty
in relation to use of information (s 28); and duty to disclose interests (s 29). Guidance on duties of officials under the Public
Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, including their complementary operation with the Code, is available in
the Department of Finance publication Resource management guide No 203 – general duties of officials.
59	Section 56(2) of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013 requires notification to police of certain information relating to offences
punishable by imprisonment for a period of 2 or more years.

10

60	Section 15(5) of the PS Act provides that agency head procedures under s 15(3) can make specific provision for dealing with
employees who are convicted of an offence or found to have committed an offence. Agency procedures commonly do not
include such provisions.

Misconduct in the Australian Public Service

Section 13(5) – compliance with directions
Source of power to give directions

Under s 13(5) an APS employee must comply with any lawful and reasonable direction
from someone in their agency who has authority to give the direction. No provision of
the PS Act expressly authorises the giving of directions.61 Section 13(5) recognises that
there is an implied power to give directions.62
An agency head does not generally need to provide a delegation or
express authorisation to issue directions.63 A supervisor has implied
authority to direct subordinate staff. An employee with functional
responsibility for a particular matter generally has implied
authority to give directions relevant to that matter.
Scope of directions

‘…an APS employee
must comply with any
lawful and reasonable
direction from someone
in their agency who has
authority to give the
direction.’

Under contract law, the usual test for whether a direction to an
employee is lawful is that it involves no illegality and is within the
subject matter of the employment or the scope of the contract of service. The test for
lawfulness of a direction to an APS employee can be broader than this.64 While public
servants are in an employment relationship, that relationship has a constitutional
and statutory setting that includes values and interests beyond bare matters of
employment. A direction to an APS employee can be lawful if it involves no illegality
and if it is reasonably adapted to protect the legitimate interests of the Commonwealth
as employer or to discharge the obligations of the Commonwealth as an employer.65 The
direction must also be reasonable in all the circumstances.66

Regulation 2.1 – duty not to disclose
The non-disclosure obligations of reg 2.1 of the PS Regs in force before 23 December
2004, and between 16 June 2005 and 14 July 2006, were in the same terms as a
regulation under the Public Service Act 1922 that was held invalid by the Federal
Court (in 2003) on the basis that it infringed the implied constitutional freedom of
communication on political matters.67
61	Under s 20(1) of the PS Act an agency head, on behalf of the Commonwealth, has all the rights, duties and powers of an
employer in respect of APS employees in the agency. APS employees are employees of the Commonwealth: see s 22(1) of the
PS Act. An employer has power under the general law (that is, the law of contract) to give lawful and reasonable directions to
an employee.
62	It has been held in the APS context that the source of the power to give a direction was the contract of employment, not the
Public Service Act 1922. Thus the decision to give a direction was held to not be a decision to which the Administrative Decisions
(Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) applied: Bayley v Osborne (1984) 4 FCR 141 at [33]. See footnote 61 about relevant provisions
under the current PS Act.
63	As noted above, an agency head clearly has power to give lawful and reasonable directions to any APS employee in their
agency. An agency head can delegate this power or give an express authorisation. In some situations it might be desirable to
do so in order to put beyond doubt any issue that the person giving a direction has authority to do so.
64	See McManus v Scott-Charlton (1996) 70 FCR 16, which was referred to with approval by the High Court in Commissioner of
Taxation v Day (2008) 236 CLR 163 at [34]. The decisions concerned the Public Service Act 1922, but the principles should apply
equally under the current PS Act. See also Griffiths v Rose (2011) 192 FCR 130.
65	A direction involves illegality if it is contrary to law. For example, a direction will not be lawful if its nature is such that it would
unnecessarily or unreasonably impair the freedom of communication about government and political matters protected by
the Constitution: see Bennett v President, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (2003) 134 FCR 334 at [81]. The
decision concerned the Public Service Act 1922, but the principles should apply equally under the current PS Act. In Johnson v
Sullivan [2002] FMCA 35 the Court upheld the validity of a direction by a CEO to an APS employee to be absent from work on
personal leave. Compare Anderson v Sullivan (1997) 78 FCR 380. See also Gallagher v Aboriginal Hostels Limited [2006] AIRC 298.
66	See McManus v Scott-Charlton (1996) 70 FCR 16, which was referred to with approval by the High Court in Commissioner of
Taxation v Day (2008) 236 CLR 163 at [34]. The decisions concerned the Public Service Act 1922, but the principles should apply
equally under the current PS Act. In Griffiths v Rose (2011) 192 FCR 130 it was held that a direction by an APS agency prohibiting
any use of work computers to view pornography, including in private outside of work, was lawful and reasonable, as it was not
contrary to privacy protections under the Privacy Act 1988, the general law or international law.
67	See Bennett v President, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (2003) 134 FCR 334. The decision concerned the
Public Service Act 1922, but the principles should apply equally under the current PS Act. The amendments to reg 2.1 that were
inserted by Public Service Amendment Regulations 2004 (No 2) were disallowed with effect from and including 16 June 2005.
This amended version of reg 2.1 was in force in the period 23 December 2004 to 16 June 2005.

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Legal briefing 104 15 October 2014

A new reg 2.1 was inserted with effect from 15 July 2006.68 This provision has been held
by a superior court to be valid as not infringing the implied constitutional freedom of
communication on political matters.69

Decision-makers in agency misconduct processes
Potential decision-making roles
Any misconduct process in the employer agency may involve the following decisions:
• suspension from duties and review of suspension under reg 3.10
• s election (or other authorisation), under the agency’s s 15(3) procedures, of a person
to determine whether a breach has occurred
• determination of breach under the agency’s s 15(3) procedures
• imposition of sanction under s 15(1)
• r eview under s 33 of suspension decisions or possibly other APS action in the
misconduct process preceding decisions about breach or sanction.70
Subject to the terms of the agency’s s 15(3) procedures, it is possible for one person
to make decisions about both breach and sanction. Some s 15(3) procedures require
different decision-makers. Even where the agency’s s 15(3) procedures allow one
decision-maker for both tasks, it may be desirable as a matter of risk management to
have different decision-makers so that there can be no issue of perception of bias and
therefore reduced risk of legal challenge on that ground.
Generally, the suspension delegate should be a different person from the breach
decision-maker or sanction delegate. Also, generally a s 33 review delegate should not
have had any previous involvement.
Steps should be taken to ensure that the relevant decision-makers have lawful power
to make their decisions and that they are independent and unbiased.

Lawful selection of decision-maker on breach
The agency’s procedures under s 15(3) of the PS Act will generally specify who is
to select the person who will make a decision on the breach and how they must be
selected or authorised (for example, whether the selection/authorisation needs to be
in writing).
Section 15(3) procedures commonly permit anyone (who is, and appears to be,
independent and unbiased) to be selected to make a decision on the breach. Where
the procedures permit, the person does not have to be an APS employee. For example,
the person can be a consultant who is not employed in the APS.
If there are no provisions in the procedures about selecting the decision-maker to
determine a breach, the agency head will need to appoint or authorise the decisionmaker to perform the role. This appointment or authorisation should be in writing,
signed by the agency head.71
68	See Public Service Regulations 2006 (No 1).
69	See R v Goreng-Goreng (2008) 220 FLR 21, a decision of the ACT Supreme Court constituted by Refshauge J. See also the
interlocutory decision of Federal Circuit Court of Australia in Banerji v Bowles [2013] FCCA 1052.
70	See also reg 5.27. There is no review within the agency of a decision that there has been a breach of the Code or a decision to
impose a sanction. Such decisions are reviewed directly by the Merit Protection Commissioner. See reg 5.24(2).
71	Where there are no general provisions in the existing procedures under s 15(3) about selection of a decision-maker to
determine breach, we consider that s 15(3) is the source of the agency head’s power in a particular matter to authorise a person
to determine breach. Such an authorisation is itself a procedure under s 15(3) for determining whether an APS employee has
breached the Code (rather than, for example, an exercise of general employer powers under s 20). An agency head procedure
under s 15(3) is required to be in writing.

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Misconduct in the Australian Public Service

The provisions of the PS Act (and PS Regs) do not give the agency head any power to
determine breach, therefore the breach decision-maker is not acting as a delegate of the
agency head. The power to determine a breach can be conferred only under an agency’s
s 15(3) procedures. The requirement that a delegation can be made to an ‘outsider’ only
with prior written consent of the Australian Public Service Commissioner does not
apply when selecting a breach decision-maker.72
The power to determine breach is distinct from the power to impose sanction. A person
delegated under s 15(1) of the PS Act to impose a sanction is not also automatically
authorised to determine a breach. If the agency requires the same person to both
determine a breach and impose a sanction, the agency must ensure that the person
has both the authorisation to determine the breach and the delegation to impose
the sanction.

Delegates
The agency head must delegate power (under reg 3.10 of the PS Regs) to a person who
makes decisions about suspension, including through review of a suspension under
reg 3.10.73
The agency head must also delegate power (under s 15(1) of the PS Act) to a person who
imposes a sanction.74 The person might also need to be delegated other powers related
to any sanction to be imposed – for example, the power under s 25 to assign duties, the
power under s 23 and the Public Service Classification Rules 2000 to reduce an employee’s
classification and the power under s 29 to terminate employment. In particular, a
delegate under s 29 will clearly have power to both terminate employment and give
notice of termination.
A person who exercises internal review functions must be a delegate of the powers of
the agency head under reg 5.27 of the PS Regs.

Limitations on delegations – outsiders
Where delegations are being made in accordance with s 78 or reg 9.3, agencies must
ensure compliance with the limitations on delegations set out in those provisions. In
particular, a delegation cannot be made to an ‘outsider’ except with the prior written
consent of the Australian Public Service Commissioner.75

Bias issues
To comply with the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s
Directions 2013, the person who determines whether there has
been a breach of the Code and the person who determines whether
any sanction should be imposed must be, and must appear to be,
independent and unbiased. Also, any person who makes decisions
on misconduct matters must comply with the administrative law
requirement that they not be biased.

‘...[the decisionmaker] must be,
and must appear
to be, independent
and unbiased.’

72	An outsider is defined by s 78(8) and reg 9.3(9) to be a person other than an APS employee or a person appointed to an office
by the Governor-General, or by a Minister, under a law of the Commonwealth.
73	See reg 9.3 of the PS Regs concerning the delegation of agency head powers under the PS Regs.
74

See s 78 of the PS Act concerning the delegation of agency head powers under the PS Act.

75	An outsider is defined by s 78(8) and reg 9.3(9) to be a person other than an APS employee or a person appointed to an office
by the Governor-General, or by a Minister, under a law of the Commonwealth.

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Legal briefing 104 15 October 2014

Administrative law requires that a decision-maker be free from actual bias or any
reasonable apprehension of bias. Actual bias occurs where the decision-maker has a
partial mind. The test for reasonable apprehension of bias is whether a hypothetical
fair-minded person, properly informed of relevant circumstances, might reasonably
apprehend that the decision-maker might not have brought an impartial mind to the
decision. This issue is one of perception but is determined objectively by a court.76
A reasonable apprehension of bias can arise where it can reasonably be seen that a
decision-maker:
• has an interest in the outcome77
• previously expressed a concluded view on a matter that needs to be determined.78
It can arise where a superior officer has expressed a view about what the outcome
should be or a view critical of the relevant employee.79 It can also arise where the
decision-maker has had access to prejudicial information that is not relevant to the
matters to be determined but could reasonably be seen as influencing the decisionmaker’s views.80

Referral to Commissioner
An agency head can ask the Australian Public Service Commissioner or the Merit
Protection Commissioner to inquire into an alleged breach of the Code by a current
or former APS employee.81
The Australian Public Service Commissioner can inquire into and determine whether an
APS employee (or former employee) has breached the Code if the agency head or Prime
Minister has requested the Commissioner to do so and the Commissioner considers
it appropriate to do so. The Merit Protection Commissioner can inquire into and
determine whether an APS employee has breached the Code if the agency head requests
the Commissioner to do so, the Commissioner considers it appropriate to do so and the
APS employee agrees to the Commissioner doing so.
Such inquiries must be carried out in accordance with written procedures established
by the relevant Commissioner.82 The Commissioner must report the results of their
inquiry and determination to the agency head.83 The Australian Public Service
Commissioner may in some circumstances also recommend a sanction.84

76

Hot Holdings Pty Ltd v Creasy (2002) 210 CLR 438.

77	In Scott v Centrelink [PR 907822] AIRC (16 August 2001) the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) held that a
reasonable apprehension of bias arose where the decision-maker determining whether an APS employee had breached the
Code by failing to follow a direction was the supervisor who had given the direction. The employee was reinstated for this and
other reasons. See also Keiko Adachi v Qantas Airways Limited [2014] FWC 518 (10 February 2014).
78	See Gaisford v Hunt (1996) 71 FCR 187 regarding a statutorily-based inquiry into the conduct of APS employees. This was not a
formal misconduct investigation and concerned an inquiry under the Public Service Act 1922, but the principles should apply to
a formal misconduct investigation under the current PS Act.
	In Lohse v Arthur (No 3) (2009) 180 FCR 334 the Federal Court held at 364–367, [53](e), that the breach decision-maker’s conduct
of witness interviews demonstrated bias.
79	
Phillips v Secretary, Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1994) 48 FCR 57; Mongan v Woodward [2003] FCA 66
(12 February 2003).
80 See Bohills v Friedman (2001) 110 FCR 338.
81	See s 41B(1) regarding the Australian Public Service Commissioner and s 50A regarding the Merit Protection Commissioner.
82	See s 41B(3)–(6) regarding the Australian Public Service Commissioner and s 50A(2)–(5) regarding the Merit Protection
Commissioner.

14

83

See s 41B(8) and s 50A(7).

84

See s 41B(9).

Misconduct in the Australian Public Service

Suspension from duties85
Possible reassignment86
When considering suspension from duties, consideration should be given to the
possibility of assignment of other duties under s 25.87 Suspension should generally be
imposed only where assignment of other duties is not appropriate.88
The power under s 25 should be exercised only for operational reasons and not as a
means of, in effect, imposing a sanction.89

Review of suspension
A review under reg 3.10 is a review of the suspension. It is a
fresh decision on whether the employee should continue to be
suspended, considering the statutory preconditions for suspension
and all relevant material available at the time of the review. It is
not a review of the original decision to suspend.90

‘When considering
suspension from duties,
consideration should be
given to the possibility
of assignment of other
duties...’

Procedural fairness in the suspension process
Regulation 3.10(7) enables the delegate to determine whether to discharge procedural
fairness requirements. It permits the delegate to dispense with procedural fairness
requirements where appropriate. If the delegate makes a decision under reg 3.10(7)
that it is appropriate not to accord procedural fairness then this should override any
procedural fairness obligations. Of course, there must be a reasonable basis for the
delegate to do this. Such cases will be unusual.91
It might be appropriate not to accord procedural fairness in circumstances where
there is urgency or some overriding public interest – if there are safety concerns, for
example.92 Even in such cases, the employee might properly be given the right to
comment after the initial suspension and any comments must be taken into account
on a review of the suspension.
Where a delegate considers that procedural fairness should not be accorded, it is good
practice for them to record their reasons and, to the extent possible, give the affected
employee notice of those reasons.
85

Section 28 of the PS Act and reg 3.10 of the PS Regs set out the power to suspend.

86

The suspension delegate should also be a delegate of the powers of the agency head under s 25.

87	The employee should be given an opportunity to comment before any adverse reassignment decision is made, for example
because it impacts on reputation: compare Foster v Secretary, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
[2008] VSC 504 at [45]–[54].
88	In Quinn v Overland [2010] 199 IR 40 the Federal Court noted at [95]–[129] that non-pecuniary attributes of work are important
and that their denial can be devastating to the legitimate interests of any worker. The Court emphasised the potentially
serious adverse consequences of a suspension.
89	Reassignment of duties is one of the sanctions available under s 15. See Bennett v Commonwealth of Australia (1980) 1 NSWLR
581. See also James v McDonald (unreported, Federal Court of Australia, Sackville J, NG 631 of 1994, 21 October 1994), Bennett
v Commonwealth of Australia and James v McDonald concerned the Public Service Act 1922, but the principles should apply
equally under the current PS Act.
90	Any review of action under reg 5.27 is more in the nature of a review of the suspension decision. A review of action under
reg 5.27 must consider whether the suspension decision should be confirmed, varied or set aside.
91	Compare Gaisford v Fisher (unreported, Federal Court of Australia, Finn J, ACTG 27 of 1996, 29 November 1996).
92	The concerns must be genuine and have a logically probative basis: compare Gaisford v Fisher (unreported, Federal Court of
Australia, Finn J, ACTG 27 of 1996, 29 November 1996). Generally the relevant public interest grounds are the kind recognised
by the law of public interest immunity.
	See Dunstan v Orr [2008] FCA 31 at [115] for an example of a case where the Federal Court accepted that there were security
(that is, safety) concerns held by the agency that justified an APS employee not being given notice of certain matters when he
was given an opportunity to comment about a proposed decision to suspend him from duties. The case concerned the Public
Service Act 1922, but the principles should apply equally under the current PS Act.

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Legal briefing 104 15 October 2014

Not suspending
Where an employee is suspected of serious misconduct that would warrant termination
of employment if established, it is generally appropriate to suspend the employee.
However, where the employee is not suspended, it does not necessarily mean that they
cannot properly be subject to a sanction of termination.93

Effect of suspension – with or without remuneration
Under the general law a suspension from duty has the effect of suspending most
incidents of the employment relationship, including payment of salary.94 The PS Regs
make specific provision for the possibility of suspension with remuneration.
Under the PS Regs a suspension without remuneration must not be for more than
30 days unless exceptional circumstances apply.

Other issues
There can be issues as to whether a suspended employee can access leave entitlements
during suspension. Difficult issues can also arise as to whether the agency can take any
action to reinstate an employee’s entitlements where an employee who was suspended
is found not to have breached the Code.

Process in agency for determination of breach issues
Section 15(3) procedures
In an agency misconduct process a sanction for misconduct can be imposed only if there
has been a determination of breach of the Code in accordance with procedures made by
the agency head under s 15(3) of the PS Act.
Under s 15(3) of the PS Act, agency head procedures:
• m
 ust comply with basic procedural requirements set out in the Australian Public
Service Commissioner’s Directions 2013
• must have due regard to procedural fairness
• may be different for different categories of APS employees.95
From 1 July 2013 agency heads have been required to make written procedures under
s 15 and to ensure that they are made publicly available.96

Commissioner’s Directions
Chapter 6 of the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2013 includes the
following basic requirements for procedures for determining breaches of the Code and
imposing any sanction.97
93

 epartment of Employment and Workplace Relations v Oakley [PR 954267] AIRC (15 December 2004). See also Turner v
D
Linkenbagh (1994) 37 ALD 106 at [27]. Contrast Langley v Commonwealth of Australia (Australian Customs Service) [2007]
AIRC 250, where the AIRC held at [123] that a dismissal was harsh, unjust and unreasonable where (among other things) the
employee was not suspended and the termination of employment was more than 2 years after the occurrence of the allegedly
serious misconduct.

94	Contract law can provide guidance on the effect of the suspension of an APS employee. Compare Australian Municipal,
Administrative, Clerical and Services Union v Australian Taxation Office; Australian Taxation Office v Australian Municipal,
Administrative, Clerical and Services Union [2007] AIRC 511, and on appeal [2007] AIRCFB 591, where the AIRC refused to permit
a suspended employee to exercise rights of entry to the workplace under the Workplace Relations Act 1996.
95

For example, the procedures for ongoing employees may be different from those for non-ongoing employees.

96 See s 15(6) and (7).
97	References in the Directions to an employee are generally taken to include a reference to a former employee: see cl 6.2.
But note that a sanction can only be imposed on a current employee.

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Misconduct in the Australian Public Service

• B
 efore any determination on a suspected breach of the Code, reasonable steps must
be taken to inform the employee of the details of the suspected breach (including
any subsequent variation of those details) and the sanctions that may be imposed
under s 15(1). Reasonable steps must be taken to give the employee a reasonable
opportunity to make a statement on the suspected breach.98
• A
 fter a determination of breach is made and before any sanction is imposed,
reasonable steps must be taken to inform the employee of the determination of
breach, the sanctions under consideration and the factors under consideration in
determining any sanction. Reasonable steps must be taken to give the employee a
reasonable opportunity to make a statement on the sanctions under consideration.99
• T
 he agency head must take reasonable steps to ensure that the person who
determines whether there has been a breach and the person who determines any
sanction are, and appear to be, independent and unbiased.100
• T
 he process for determining breach must be carried out
with as little formality and as much expedition as a proper
consideration of the matter allows.101
• I f a determination is made on a suspected breach, a written
record must be made of the suspected breach, the determination
about breach and any sanctions imposed. A written record of
reasons must be made where a statement of reasons is given to
the employee.102

Contents of procedures

‘Reasonable steps must
be taken to give the
employee a reasonable
opportunity to make
statements both on the
suspected breach...[and]
on the sanctions under
consideration.’

Procedures under s 15(3) are procedures for determining a breach of the Code and any
sanction. The procedures are legally confined to these matters.
As s 15(3) procedures are legally binding, they should include only requirements that an
agency is prepared to comply with as a matter of law. Usually procedures determined
under s 15(3) should not include guidance of the kind more appropriate for inclusion in
a manual or general instructions for decision-makers or employees.

Terms and conditions of employment
We recommend that legally binding procedures about misconduct matters be confined
to an agency’s procedures under s 15(3) to minimise the legal risks that otherwise can
arise (see below).
Terms and conditions of employment can be set out in various instruments that have
legal force and effect, such as:
• s tatutory determinations of terms and conditions of employment, such as under
s 24 of the PS Act
• c ontractually agreed terms and conditions, such as those set out in letters of offer
and acceptance
• i ndustrial instruments, such as enterprise agreements under the Fair Work Act 2009
(FW Act).
Breach of these provisions might have legal consequences. For example:
• breach of statutory requirements might render decisions invalid
98

See cl 6.3 the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2013.

99 See cl 6.4.
100 See cl 6.5.
101 See cl 6.6.
102 See cl 6.7.

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Legal briefing 104 15 October 2014

• breach of contractual provisions can give rise to remedies for breach of contract
• b
 reach of industrial instruments can render the agency liable to remedies under
the FW Act such as penalties or grievance procedures in the Fair Work
Commission (FWC).103

Adherence to procedures
It is generally desirable to strictly adhere to procedures under s 15(3).
Failing to comply with procedures under s 15(3) can be a breach of administrative law
requirements, which would render a decision liable to be set aside on judicial review as
invalid. Not every breach will result in invalidity. It is a matter of statutory construction
for a court to determine which breaches (if any) are intended by the s 15(3) procedures
and PS Act to result in invalidity.104
Usually a failure to comply with s 15(3) procedures will not in itself lead to a finding
that a termination of employment was harsh, unjust or unreasonable.105 Generally the
FWC will uphold a termination of employment that is a fair outcome overall, despite a
failure to comply with some procedural requirements.

Employer’s duty of good faith
It is now established that Australian law does not imply a duty of trust and confidence
in employment contracts.106 The High Court has left open the questions whether there
is a general obligation to act in good faith in the performance of contracts and whether
contractual powers and discretions may be limited by good faith and rationality
requirements analogous to those applicable in public law.107
The scope and content of any implied mutual duty of good faith in an employment
contract is uncertain.108 One attempted formulation is that an implied duty of good
faith requires that the employer act honestly, reasonably and with prudence, diligence,
caution and due care when exercising employer powers and entitlements or otherwise
dealing with employees; that the implied duty does not require utmost good faith or
discharge of a fiduciary duty; and that the implied duty does not deprive the employer
of its capacity to exercise rights in its own interests.109
Any implied duty of good faith does not require that an employer carry out a
misconduct process without deficiencies. For example, the New South Wales Court
of Appeal has held that the fact that a misconduct investigation was defective, to the
extent that it could have been improved by conducting an interview with the employee
face to face rather than by telephone, did not mean that a breach of any implied duty of
good faith (or of trust and confidence) was established.110
103	See Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical and Services Union v Australian Taxation Office [PR 961315] AIRC (11 August
2005), [2005] AIRC 700, concerning alleged non-compliance with a certified agreement that included a statement that
the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is committed to ensuring that the ATO procedure ‘Managing Misconduct in the ATO’ is
properly applied. A Full Bench held that the certified agreement imposed compliance obligations on the ATO.
104	See Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 at 390–391. See also Bromet v Oddie [2003]
FCAFC 213 at [115]–[116].
105	See Farquharson v Qantas (2006) 155 IR 22 [PR971685] AIRC Full Bench (10 August 2006). See also Palmer v Commonwealth of
Australia (Austrac) [2007] AIRCFB 265 at [33].
106 See Commonwealth Bank of Australia v Barker [2014] HCA 32.
107 See Commonwealth Bank of Australia v Barker [2014] HCA 32 at [42].
108	The Court of Appeal in Russell v Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Archdiocese of Sydney (2008) 72 NSWLR 559
referred to case law that had found a duty of good faith to exist in some circumstances and left open the issue whether the
duty is implied in all employment contracts and, if so, the scope and content of the duty.
109	See the decision of the NSW Supreme Court (Rothman J) in Russell v Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Archdiocese
of Sydney (2007) 69 NSWLR 198 at [112]–[118]. That decision was overturned on appeal in Russell v Trustees of the Roman Catholic
Church for the Archdiocese of Sydney (2008) 72 NSWLR 559.

18

110	See Russell v Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Archdiocese of Sydney (2008) 72 NSWLR 559 at [1], [37], [73] to [74],
overturning the finding at first instance.

Misconduct in the Australian Public Service

Some procedural issues111
Decision to institute a misconduct process
The PS legislation makes no specific provision about when it is appropriate to institute
a formal process for determining whether there has been a breach of the Code and, if
there has been, what sanction (if any) should be imposed.112
There is provision in the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2013 for the
Commissioner to issue standards and guidance about whether to initiate a Code process
for performance matters.113
Agency procedures under s 15(3) generally include procedures for selecting (or
otherwise authorising) a person to determine whether there has been a breach of the
Code. The procedures generally do not include provisions about when to institute a
misconduct process. An agency’s procedures under s 15(3) should not seek to regulate
the circumstances where it is appropriate to institute a misconduct process, as this
ensures that broad management discretion is available in deciding how best to deal
with any suspected misconduct.114
Generally misconduct action is not appropriate where the conduct
of concern has been expressly or implicitly approved or condoned
by management – for example, where management has not taken
action when made aware of the conduct.115 Where the conduct
problems reflect systemic problems or management deficiencies it
is commonly preferable to deal with them as such rather than as
individual misconduct matters.

‘...[a] broad management
discretion is available
in deciding how best to
deal with any suspected
misconduct.’

Procedural fairness obligations do not apply to a decision to institute a process for
determining whether there has been a breach of the Code.116

Dealing with unsatisfactory performance
An employee who unsatisfactorily performs their duties can (among other things) be
demoted or have their employment terminated.117

111	See generally Australian Public Service Commission, Handling misconduct: a human resources practitioner’s guide to the
reporting and handling of suspected and determined breaches of the APS Code of Conduct, 2008, which at the time of writing is
under revision by the APSC.
112	The extensive note in Ch 1 of the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2013 in the section on how the APS values
are enforced includes statements that not every failure to act consistently with the APS Values needs to be dealt with by
implementing misconduct procedures and that misconduct action is part of a range of people management practices that
agencies have available to support high-quality performance.
	Some other public sector regimes have specific tests for commencement of a misconduct process. See Hall v State of South
Australia [2010] SASC 219 for a discussion of a requirement of suspicion on reasonable grounds of possible breach. See Pervan v
Frawley (2011) 20 Tas R 185 for a discussion of a requirement of belief on reasonable grounds of possible breach.
113	See cl 4.2 of the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2013. As at 1 September 2014 the Commissioner had not
issued any such standards and guidance.
114	The discretion may be exercised having regard to any factors that are within the scope and purpose of the PS Act and
considered by the decision-maker to be relevant.
115	See, for example, Australasian Transport Officers Association v Department of Motor Transport (1988) 25 IR 235 at 244. It follows
that where inappropriate behaviour has been in effect tolerated by management it might not be appropriate to institute
a misconduct process without management having first made clear to the employees what standards of conduct are now
expected by management.
116	Compare Buonopane v Secretary, Department of Employment, Education and Youth Affairs (1998) 87 FCR 173. That decision was
followed in Dunstan v Orr [2008] FCA 31 at [99].
117

See s 23(4)(e) and s 29(3)(c) of the PS Act.

19

Legal briefing 104 15 October 2014

Action for possible breaches of the Code is potentially available where an APS employee
fails to:
• perform duties with care and diligence118
• comply with a lawful and reasonable direction about performance of duties119
• u
 phold the APS Values or the APS Employment Principles,120 or comply with
the Commissioner’s Directions 121 relevant to performance,122 including the
requirement that an employee properly participate in the agency’s performance
management system.123
Clause 4.2 of the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2013 provides
that, where the conduct of an APS employee raises concerns about both effective
performance and possible breaches of the Code, the agency head must have regard to
any relevant standards and guidance from the Australian Public Service Commissioner
before deciding whether to initiate any inquiry under s 15(3) procedures.124
Subject to the standards and guidance issued by the Commissioner, performance
problems are generally better dealt with as performance issues rather than as a possible
breach of the Code for a failure to perform duties with care and diligence.125
Code action may be appropriate where the employee is wilfully refusing to
satisfactorily perform duties, where there is a deliberate or flagrant failure to act
with care and diligence or where the employee has had repeated underperformance
problems that appear to be within their control and have previously been dealt with
as underperformance.126 In each of these situations performance management action
would also be an option.

Dealing with probationers
In accordance with s 22(6)(a) of the PS Act, an APS employee’s engagement may be made
subject to conditions dealing with probation.
A probation condition enables the agency to assess whether the employee is suitable for
employment, including by reference to their behaviour and performance.127
If a probationer fails to meet a probation condition there is a ground for termination of
employment.128 Subject to the precise terms of the probation condition and any
118 See s 13(2) of the PS Act.
119 See s 13(5).
120	See s 13(11). Note that the APS Employment Principle in s 10A(1)(d) provides that the APS requires effective performance from
each employee.
121 See 13(4) and s 42(2).
122	See, for example, cl 1.2 of the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2013 – in particular, cl 1.2(a), (g) and (k).
See cl 4.1 for the elements of the performance management system required to be implemented by the agency head.
123	See cl 1.5(g) of the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2013, which requires that an employee is answerable
for individual performance through performance management systems. See cl 4.1 for the elements of the performance
management system required to be implemented by the agency head and, in particular, the element in cl 4.1(d) that the
agency head must ensure that the agency requires employees to participate constructively in agency-based performance
management processes and practices.
124 As at 1 September 2014 the APSC has not issued any relevant standards and guidance.
125	In Dunkerley v Commonwealth of Australia [2013] FWCFB 2390, a Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission confirmed that a
misconduct process is not necessary where the termination of employment is on the ground of non-performance of duties
(as provided for in s 29(3)(c) of the PS Act). Similarly, a misconduct process is not necessarily required where the primary
concern is unsatisfactory performance of duties (which is also a ground for termination of employment provided for in s 29(3)
(c) of the PS Act).
126	In Rothfield v Australian Bureau of Statistics (3 February 2003) Print PR927240, the AIRC upheld a decision by an APS agency to
terminate employment on the ground of misconduct related to an underperformance process.
127 See R v Agency [2010] FWA 3446 and Randall v Australian Taxation Office [2010] FWAFB 5626.
128 See s 29(3)(f) of the PS Act.

20

Misconduct in the Australian Public Service

applicable agency probation policies, an agency can terminate the employment of a
probationer for inappropriate conduct without the need to find a breach of the Code in
accordance with the agency’s s 15(3) procedures.129 Similarly, provided that any legally
binding instruments make clear that the agency’s procedures for management of
unsatisfactory performance do not apply to probationers, the agency can terminate the
employment of a probationer for unsatisfactory performance without a need to follow
those procedures.130

Concurrent criminal proceedings
Where the conduct in question involves a possible criminal offence as well as a possible
breach of the Code there is no automatic rule that administrative action must await
the outcome of criminal proceedings. An employee may choose not to provide evidence
or submissions in a misconduct process because they wish to protect their rights in
a current or possible criminal process (such as the right to silence or the privilege
against self-incrimination); however, this does not prevent a misconduct process from
proceeding.131
Agencies may exercise discretion to postpone a Code investigation where appropriate.
An agency generally should not proceed with misconduct action if
the police or prosecuting authorities consider that it would involve
any prejudice to a criminal investigation or prosecution. Agency
action that prejudices a prosecution could be a contempt of court.
Agencies should consult the police or prosecuting authorities
before taking any action that might affect a criminal investigation
or prosecution.

Standard of proof

‘If a probationer
fails to meet a
probation condition
there is a ground
for termination of
employment.’

The standard of proof in determining misconduct matters is the ordinary civil standard
of the balance of probabilities.
However, the more serious the alleged breach and its possible consequences, the higher
the level of satisfaction required.132

Right to silence
Under the common law a general privilege of silence operates unless qualified by
law. The employment relationship qualifies the privilege of silence and creates a legal
right for an employer to ask questions or direct an employee to answer questions. This
relationship imposes a legal duty requiring an employee to answer employer questions
where the matters are work related and the questions are otherwise reasonable.133
However, this is subject to the employee’s privilege against self-incrimination and the
privilege against self-exposure to penalties.
129	See R v Agency [2010] FWA 3446 and Randall v Australian Taxation Office [2010] FWAFB 5626. But a breach of the Code can be
made only in accordance with the agency’s s 15(3) procedures.
130	Compare Wilson v Australian Taxation Office (2002) 112 IR 24, where a Full Bench of the AIRC held that underperformance
procedures in a certified agreement under the Workplace Relations Act 1996 applied to a probationer – in particular, because
the certified agreement did not make clear that the underperformance procedures did not apply to performance concerns
about a probationer.
131

See Goreng Goreng v Jennaway (2007) 164 FCR 567.

132 B
 riginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336. The AIRC has held the Briginshaw standard applicable to APS misconduct matters:
see for example Deer v Centrelink [T0091] AIRC (1 September 2000).
133 Associated Dominions Assurance Society Pty Ltd v Andrew (1949) 49 SR (NSW) 351 at 357–358 per Herron J.

21

Legal briefing 104 15 October 2014

Misconduct processes are generally conducted on the basis that answering questions is
voluntary. However, an employer can direct an employee to answer questions subject to
the employee’s privilege against self-incrimination and self-exposure to penalties.
The fact that an employee chooses not to provide evidence or submissions in a
misconduct process does not in itself establish a breach of the Code.

Privileges against self-incrimination and self-exposure to penalty
An APS employee who is requested to provide information (documentary or oral) in a
Code of Conduct process is entitled to decline to provide the information on the basis
of the privilege against self-incrimination or self-exposure to penalty. APS employees
cannot be required to answer questions or to provide information that would tend
to incriminate them or expose them to a disciplinary sanction. Any direction to an
employee to answer questions or provide information in such circumstances would
not be lawful and reasonable.
In Police Service Board v Morris134 (Morris) the High Court held that the privilege against
self-exposure to a penalty could apply to a statutory provision that required members
of the police force to answer questions tending to show that they had committed
disciplinary offences. By analogy, the privilege against self-exposure to penalty could
apply to an APS misconduct process.
In Re Comptroller-General of Customs v Disciplinary Appeal Committee135 (Day) the
Federal Court (Gummow J) held that the privilege against self-incrimination was
applicable to disciplinary action under the then PS Act 1922.136 On this approach the
privilege would be applicable to misconduct action under the current PS Act.
Nothing in the PS Act abrogates the privileges against self-incrimination or selfexposure to penalty.
Some decisions of the High Court suggest that the privileges against self-incrimination
and self-exposure to penalty are not substantive rules of law and that they apply only in
judicial proceedings.137
On this approach the privileges could not be claimed in an APS misconduct process.
However, the Court has not overturned the decisions in Morris or Day. Until it does so,
we should assume that the principles set out in Morris and Day remain good law.
The privilege against self-incrimination extends to making a disclosure that may lead
to incrimination or to the discovery of real evidence of an incriminating character.
The privilege is available if there is a reasonable ground to apprehend danger of
incrimination to the employee if they are compelled to answer.

Procedural fairness
The PS Act requires fairness in decision-making in misconduct matters. In particular the
APS Employment Principles include the principle that the APS makes fair employment
decisions.138
134 (1985) 156 CLR 397.
135 (1992) 35 FCR 466.
136	In X v McDermott (1994) 51 FCR 1 at [43]–[49] the Federal Court held the privilege applicable in an inquiry process under the
Defence (Inquiry) Regulations.
137 See Daniels Corporation v ACCC (2002) 213 CLR 543 at 559; and Rich v ASIC (2004) 220 CLR 129 at [24].
138	See s 10A(1)(a) of the PS Act. The objects of the PS Act include to provide a legal framework for the effective and fair
employment and management of APS employees: see the PS Act, s 3(b). An agency’s s 15(3) procedures are required to have due
regard to procedural fairness: see the PS Act, s 15(4)(b).

22

Misconduct in the Australian Public Service

In accordance with the procedural fairness requirements of the general law, an APS
employee is entitled to have a reasonable opportunity to make their case before any
decision is made that they have breached the Code or that a sanction should
be imposed.
The procedures set out in the PS Act and PS Regs and instruments made under them
are not an exclusive code that exhaustively sets out procedural fairness requirements.139
For example, procedural fairness is not necessarily ensured by giving notice to
an employee of the details of suspected breaches of the Code in accordance with
requirements under the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2013 and
an agency’s s 15(3) procedures. The steps that will meet procedural fairness obligations
will depend on the circumstances of each case.140

Communications subject to legal professional privilege
Procedural fairness obligations do not prevent legal professional
privilege from attaching to privileged communications between an
agency and its legal advisers during a misconduct process. Privileged
communications are not required to be produced in court proceedings
that challenge the outcome of the misconduct process (unless
privilege is waived).141

No right to cross-examination

‘...an APS employee
is entitled to have
a reasonable
opportunity to make
their case before any
decision is made that
they have breached
the Code or that a
sanction should be
imposed.’

A person making a decision about breaches of the Code or
about sanctions has no general power to require anyone to give
oral evidence or to require that witnesses be subject to crossexamination. The decision-maker therefore has no procedural
fairness obligation to require that witnesses be subject to cross-examination.142
Decision-makers should nevertheless appropriately test the evidence given to them.

No right to legal representation – role of support person
Decision-makers in misconduct processes are not obliged by administrative law to
permit legal representation.143 Industrial instruments and procedures made under
s 15(3) of the PS Act can provide for representation or support of employees who are
subject to a misconduct process, but they are not required to so.
In any discussions relating to termination of employment, the employer should not
unreasonably refuse to allow the affected employee to have a support person present.144
Where the misconduct process might result in termination of employment, generally
the employer should not unreasonably avoid having a discussion with the employee
and allowing the employee to have a support person present.145
139	See Rose v Bridges (1997) 79 FCR 378; Buonopane v Secretary, Department of Employment, Education and Youth Affairs (1998)
87 FCR 173; and Dunstan v Orr [2008] FCA 31. The decisions concerned the Public Service Act 1922, but the principles should apply
equally under the current PS Act.
140 See Lohse v Arthur (No 3) (2009) 180 FCR 334 for an example of a case where the employee was denied procedural fairness.
141 See Griffiths v Rose (2010) 190 FCR 173.
142 R
 ose v Bridges (1997) 79 FCR 378. The decision concerned the Public Service Act 1922, but the principles should apply equally
under the current PS Act.
143 M
 cGibbon v Linkenbagh (1996) 41 ALD 219. The decision concerned the Public Service Act 1922, but the principles should apply
equally under the current PS Act.
144	The employer is otherwise exposed to a finding by the FWC that the termination of employment was harsh, unjust or
unreasonable: see s 387(d) of the Fair Work Act 2009.
145	See Cowan v Sargeant Transport Pty Ltd [2014] FWC 5330. Compare Kim v Australian Federal Police [2013] FWC 1231.

23

Legal briefing 104 15 October 2014

Reasons for decision
Chapter 6 of the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2013 does not
require statements of reasons for breach or sanction decisions.146 So there is no general
requirement to give a statement of reasons that sets out findings on material questions
of fact, refers to the evidence or other material on which those findings were based and
gives reasons for the decision.147 However, it is good administrative practice to inform
an employee in writing of the reasons for a breach or sanction decision. The APSC
considers that, as a matter of policy, the decision-maker should give informative reasons
so that the employee can understand why the decision was made and can meaningfully
consider whether to pursue any avenue of redress.
Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977

Decisions that an APS employee should be suspended from duties, has breached the
Code or should be subject to a sanction are decisions to which the Administrative
Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (the AD(JR) Act) applies. The employee is entitled
to request under the AD(JR) Act that a statement of reasons be provided. Where such
a request is made, the decision-maker is obliged to provide a statement of reasons in
the form required by s 13 of the AD(JR) Act.148 Section 13 requires that a statement be
provided that sets out findings on material questions of fact, refers to the evidence or
other material on which the findings were based and gives reasons for the decision.
Section 15(3) procedures

Where procedures under s 15(3) of the PS Act require that a decision-maker provide a
statement of reasons then, unless a contrary intention appears in the procedures, the
decision-maker must provide a statement that sets out findings on material questions
of fact, refers to the evidence or other material on which those findings were based and
gives reasons for the decision.149

Cessation of employment
In the absence of any relevant provision in the terms and conditions of employment,
including in any industrial instrument, an ongoing APS employee has a right to resign,
provided that reasonable notice is given. The right of an ongoing employee to resign is
not subject to the consent of the employer.150 What is reasonable notice depends on the
circumstances. Two weeks’ notice might be regarded as reasonable for most employees,
with the possible exception of senior and specialist employees. The employer can agree
to shorter notice. For example, an employer can accept a resignation with immediate
effect.
Where a person ceases to be an APS employee the agency may proceed to make a
determination about breach, but no sanction can be imposed.151 In such cases the
decision-making process should continue in accordance with the agency’s s 15(3)
146 See in particular cl 6.7(d).
147	Compare s 25D of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) (AI Act) and see following footnote.
148	The obligation to give reasons under s 13 is subject to certain exclusions: see in particular Sch 2 to the AD(JR) Act. Decisions
that an APS employee should be suspended from duties, has breached the Code or should be subject to a sanction are not
subject to any exclusions.
149	See the AI Act, s 25D. The provisions of the AI Act apply to an instrument under an Act – such as the procedures under s 15(3) of
the PS Act – whether or not the instrument is legislative: see s 13 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 (Cth) and s 46 of the
AI Act. Section 15(8) of the PS Act provides that procedures established under s 15(3) are not legislative instruments.
150	See APSC Circular No 2000/4. Some classes of non-ongoing employees might require employer consent for resignation,
depending on their terms and conditions of employment.
151

24

See s 15(1) and (3) of the PS Act.

Misconduct in the Australian Public Service

procedures and the requirements of procedural fairness. The fact that a person ceases
to be an employee does not prevent the agency from completing documentation
of its concerns or its investigations, even where the agency decides not to make a
determination about breach.

Sanction
Any sanction that is imposed must only concern the conduct found to have been in
breach of the Code. Thus the primary focus of the sanction decision-maker must be
on the employee’s misconduct (as found in the decision on breach).
The appropriate sanction in any case will be the sanction that the decision-maker
considers meets the object of imposing a misconduct sanction, which is not to punish
or exact retribution but to protect the reputation of the APS and ensure adherence to
proper standards of conduct.152
Since the objectives of the APS misconduct regime include to protect the public and
maintain proper standards of conduct, it is relevant to consider the need for both
specific and general deterrence (to deter any future misconduct by the particular
employee and by employees generally).
Factors relevant to the assessment of sanction will include all matters relevant to
adherence to proper standards of conduct in the APS and may include a range of factors
(apart from the employee’s actual misconduct) particular to the individual employee
and the circumstances of the case.153

Information and records management
Privacy obligations
Use and disclosure of misconduct records is subject to the
constraints of the Privacy Act 1988. The following uses or
disclosures will not contravene an agency’s privacy obligations:

‘...[some] uses or
disclosures will
not contravene an
agency’s privacy
obligations...’

• p
 ublication in the Gazette of the termination of an ongoing employee’s employment
on the ground under s 29(3)(g)154
• a
 n agency head’s use of an employee’s personal information, including misconduct
information, where it is relevant to the performance or exercise of employer powers
of the agency head155
• o
 ne agency head’s disclosure of such information to another agency head where the
disclosure is relevant to the performance or exercise of the employer powers of the
disclosing or receiving agency head.156
For example, use or disclosure of misconduct information might be relevant to any
future APS employment vetting process. Such information might be relevant to an
assessment conducted in accordance with the merit principle (for example, it might be
152 See the section above in this Briefing on the purpose of the APS misconduct provisions.
153	See the section above in this Briefing on the purpose of the APS misconduct provisions and in particular Bragg v Secretary,
Department of Employment, Education and Training [1996] 476 FCA 1.
154	The ground of termination in s 29(3)(g) is breach of the Code. See cl 2.29(1)(i) of the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s
Directions 2013.
155	See reg 9.2(1) of the PS Regs. Use or disclosure under reg 9.2 must be consistent with any guidelines issued by the APSC for that
purpose: reg 9.2(6). As at 1 September 2014 no such guidelines have been issued.
156	See reg 9.2(2). Use or disclosure under reg 9.2 must be consistent with any guidelines issued by the APSC for that purpose:
reg 9.2(6). As at 1 September 2014 no such guidelines have been issued.

25

Legal briefing 104 15 October 2014

relevant to the person’s ability to perform the duties of the position). Alternatively, it
might be relevant to the person’s satisfaction of any conditions of engagement relating
to character or security.

Retention and destruction of records
Retention and destruction of misconduct records should be in accordance with the
requirements of the Archives Act 1983. Disposal authorities under the Archives Act
permit (but do not require) the destruction of certain classes of misconduct records after
a specified period.157 Agencies can choose to retain records longer if they wish, subject
to any obligation to destroy the records. Agency misconduct procedures under s 15(3)
of the PS Act sometimes require the destruction of misconduct records after a specified
period.

Avenues of redress
Review of actions
An APS employee who is not a senior executive service officer can seek a review of an
APS action that relates to their employment, in accordance with the review of action
provisions of the PS Act and Regs.158
An employee must apply directly to the Merit Protection Commissioner for review of
a determination that the employee breached the Code and of a sanction imposed for
breach of the Code, other than a sanction of termination of employment.159 The review
of action provisions of the PS Act and PS Regs for primary review within the agency at
the request of an employee can potentially apply to any action in a misconduct process
preceding breach and sanction decisions.160
Where a person has ceased to be an APS employee and it has been determined
that the person breached the Code, they may apply directly to the Merit Protection
Commissioner for review of the determination that they breached the Code.161
Making an application for review of an APS action does not operate to stay the action.162
For example, an employee can seek review of a breach determination without waiting for
a decision on sanction, but this does not prevent a decision being made about sanction.
Where an employee seeks review of a breach determination, the usual practice of the
Merit Protection Commissioner is to await the sanction decision before considering
whether the Commissioner can and should conduct a review of the breach decision.
The sanction imposed on an employee, and any related legal proceedings taken by
the employee, can affect whether the breach determination and sanction decision can
or should be reviewed by the Commissioner.163 Also, if a sanction of termination is
imposed, the employee ceases to be entitled to any review of action, including for the
breach decision.164
157	Under current disposal authorities under the Archives Act, records relating to Code investigations that result in a sanction
can be destroyed 5 years after action is completed. Where the allegations are not proven, or the allegation is not investigated
(including frivolous or vexatious allegations), the records can be destroyed after 18 months. The relevant classes of documents
are numbers 20962, 1705, 1706 and 1707 of the Administrative Functions Disposal Authority of March 2010 and numbers 20304,
20308 and 20312 of the General Records Authority AFDA Express.
158	See s 33 of the PS Act, and Divs 5.3 and 7.3 of the PS Regs.
159	See reg 5.24(2) of the PS Regs. Section 33(1) provides that there is no entitlement to a review of action for termination of
employment.
160 See s 33 of the PS Act, and Divs 5.3 of the PS Regs.
161	See Div 7.3 of the PS Regs.
162 See regs 5.36 and 7.2G the PS Regs.
163 An action is reviewable only if it is a reviewable action as defined by reg 5.23: see reg 5.22(1)(b).

26

164 Reg 5.22(2)(a) provides that a person ceases to be entitled to a review where the person ceases to be an employee.

Misconduct in the Australian Public Service

Unfair dismissal under the Fair Work Act
An APS employee whose employment is terminated for breach of the Code has a right
to seek redress under the FW Act (subject to exclusions under that Act), including on the
ground that the termination was ‘harsh, unjust or unreasonable’.
The FWC can find that termination was harsh, unjust or unreasonable in the following
circumstances:165
• t he employee was not guilty of the misconduct on which the employer acted (having
regard to the evidence before the Commission, not just the evidence before the
employer decision-maker)166
• t he termination was decided on inferences that could not reasonably have been
drawn from the material before the employer
• the sanction is disproportionate to the gravity of the misconduct
• t he sanction is harsh in its consequences for the personal and economic situation
of the employee.167
The FWC (and its predecessors) has upheld terminations of APS employment for the
following employee misconduct:
• bullying behaviour over an extended period168
• failing to disclose previous misconduct and previous dismissals169
• using a Commonwealth credit card for personal purposes170
• misconduct regarding security reviews

171

• u
 sing departmental computer facilities to falsify football tipping
records and falsely win the competition, then providing false
and misleading explanations to departmental investigators172

‘Making an application
for review of an APS
action does not operate
to stay the action.’

• disclosing information taken from confidential departmental files173
• unauthorised access of tax file records and subsequent criminal convictions174
• u
 nauthorised access to the computer records of clients and conviction on 3 counts
of intentionally and without authority obtaining access to personal and financial
information of 3 named clients of the departments175
165	
Byrne v Australian Airlines Ltd (1995) 185 CLR 410. For an example in the APS context see Caughley v Department of Defence
[PR 947175] AIRC (27 May 2004).
166	See Uink v Department of Social Security (unreported, Australian Industrial Relations Commission, P1965, 24 December 1997).
See also Smith v Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade [2007] AIRC 765.
167	See Bates v Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Defence) [2009] AIRC 899. See also Black v The Commonwealth of
Australia (Department of Defence) [2011] FWA 293. Contrast Thanh Vu v Commonwealth of Australia (Australian Taxation Office)
[2014] FWC 755, where a termination of employment for flagrant disregard of the ATO’s IT policy was upheld despite the
employee’s long service and the adverse impact on him and his family.
168 Purser v Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department [PR 932560] AIRC (5 June 2003).
169 Ahmed v Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs [PR 920150] AIRC (16 July 2002).
170 D
 epartment of Employment and Workplace Relations v Oakley [PR 954267] AIRC (15 December 2004). See also Magers v
Department of Health and Ageing [2010] FWA 831 and Sharp v Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Defence) [2014]
FWC 5176 upholding terminations of employment for misuse of credit cards and other misappropriations of public funds for
personal use.
	See Day v Australian Customs Service [2006] AIRC 39 at [117] about the importance of public faith in the integrity of public
servants and their handling of public money.
171	See Corey v Attorney-General’s Department [PR 956106] AIRC (25 February 2005), where the AIRC upheld a termination of
employment for providing false and misleading information in security clearance interviews and failing to disclose to the
vetting officer a sexual relationship of possible concern from a security viewpoint.
	See Lever v Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation [2009] AIRC 784 and on appeal [2009] FWAFB 1733, where
the AIRC upheld a termination of employment for a range of misconduct including a failure to comply with a lawful and
reasonable direction to undergo a security clearance.
172	
Cunningham v Australian Bureau of Statistics [PR 963720], [2005] AIRC 872.
173 Patton v Department of Human Services [PR 946728] AIRC (14 May 2004).
174 Bauer v Australian Taxation Office [P8088] AIRC (14 January 1998).
175 Utting v Department of Social Security (unreported, Australian Industrial Relations Commission, Lawson C, P0267, 17 April 1997).

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Legal briefing 104 15 October 2014

• c ontinuing to send inappropriate and offensive communications despite repeated
warnings176
• h
 arassing fellow employees and managers by making false allegations against them
and engaging in other inappropriate behaviour177
• inappropriate use of work IT facilities178
• failure to follow lawful and reasonable directions about attendance at work.179
Where the FWC finds that termination of employment is unfair, it can order
reinstatement and payment of compensation where appropriate.180 FWC should order
reinstatement rather than compensation unless it is satisfied that reinstatement is
inappropriate. For example, it can decline to order reinstatement where it accepts
evidence that the employment relationship had irrevocably broken down.181

General protections under Fair Work Act
The protections under the FW Act include a prohibition on a person taking adverse
action182 against another person for certain reasons, including:
• b
 ecause the other person has a workplace right, has exercised a workplace right or
proposes to exercise a workplace right183
• d
 iscriminatory grounds such as physical or mental disability and family or carers’
responsibilities184
• b
 ecause of temporary absence from work because of illness or injury of a kind
prescribed by regulations under the FW Act.185
176	
Salmond v Department of Defence [2010] FWA 5395 and on appeal [2010] FWAFB 9636, concerning the dismissal of an
employee for making numerous unsubstantiated allegations and disparaging comments about other employees and
Ministers.
177	
McKeon v Centrelink [PR 911316] AIRC (15 November 2001). See previous footnote. See also Hunter v Commonwealth Department
of Sustainability Environment, Water, Populations and Communities [2013] FWC 7917 concerning the dismissal of an employee
for making false allegations of bullying against his supervisor.
178	
See Williams v Centrelink [PR 942762] AIRC (15 January 2004) concerning the dismissal of an employee for sending
23 inappropriate emails, including pornographic or otherwise sexually explicit images, to other employees and to external
recipients. See also O’Neile v Centrelink [2006] AIRC 493, where a termination of employment was upheld.
See Thanh Vu v Commonwealth of Australia (Australian Taxation Office) [2014] FWC 755 (30 January 2014) concerning the
dismissal of an employee for using work IT facilities to send inappropriate material to a personal email address and to store
offensive material where there was a firm IT policy, no culture of toleration and the employee had been given a prior warning
for an earlier breach with notice that further breaches would be dealt with as misconduct.
Contrast Bates v Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Defence) [2009] AIRC 899, where it was held that the dismissal
was unfair despite breaches of Code and departmental ICT policies for storing inappropriate material on a work computer.
Also contrast Gmitrovic v Australian Government, Department of Defence [2014] FWC 1637, where it was held that the employee
was not validly dismissed because FWA was not satisfied that there was excessive personal use of the internet or use of
an ‘anonymous’ search engine in breach of IT security requirements. See also Tonkin v Centrelink [2006] AIRC 375 and X v
Commonwealth of Australia [2013] FWC 9140 for examples of cases where dismissals for alleged improper use of ITC systems
were held to be unfair.
179	See Eyre v Department of Human Services [2006] AIRC 533 concerning the dismissal of an employee for failing to follow
directions that the employee either resign unapproved external employment and return to APS duties or resign from the APS.
See Paunovska v Commonwealth of Australia (Centrelink) [2011] FWA 2505 and on appeal [2012] FWAFB 2820, concerning the
dismissal of an employee for failing to follow directions about recording hours of attendance. See McIntosh v Australian Federal
Police [2014] FWC 1497, concerning the dismissal of an employee for failing to follow directions about the required hours of
attendance.
180	See the FW Act, ss 390–393.
181 McKeon v Centrelink [PR 911316] AIRC (15 November 2001).
182	See s 342 of the FW Act as to what constitutes adverse action.
183	See s 340 of the FW Act. See s 341 of the FW Act as to what constitutes a workplace right. A workplace right will generally
include benefits to which an employee is entitled under legislation or industrial instruments. It also includes an employee’s
ability to make a complaint or inquiry in relation to their employment.
184	See s 351 of the FW Act. These protections are subject to an exception where action is taken because of the inherent
requirements of the particular position concerned: see s 351(2)(b).
185	See s 352.

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Misconduct in the Australian Public Service

Depending on the circumstances, the commencement of a
formal disciplinary process and the conduct of an investigation
into misconduct allegations might be regarded as adverse
action.186 Suspension from duties under reg 3.10 or imposition
of a sanction under s 15(1) will constitute adverse action.
A finding of breach is likely to be regarded as adverse action.
Such misconduct action against an employee will infringe
the protections where it is taken for a proscribed reason. For
example, suspension and termination of employment for
misconduct have been held to constitute adverse action for
a proscribed reason where the employee’s misconduct arises
from or is a manifestation of an illness such as depression.187
Agencies need to be careful to ensure that misconduct processes
and actions are taken for genuine disciplinary purposes and
not for any proscribed reasons. If necessary, agencies must be
in a position to establish this to the satisfaction of a court – for
example, by way of evidence from the decision-maker, noting
that the agency must discharge the reverse onus imposed on
employers and others by the FW Act.188

‘…suspension
and termination
of employment
for misconduct
have been held
to constitute
adverse action for
a proscribed reason
where the employee’s
misconduct
arises from or is a
manifestation of
an illness such as
depression.’

The FW Act states that adverse action does not include action that is authorised by
or under Commonwealth law.189 An agency should be able to establish that it comes
within this exclusion provided it takes misconduct action in accordance with the PS Act
and the agency’s procedures under s 15(3) and otherwise acts in accordance with all
legal requirements, including the requirements of administrative law.
Remedies for breach of the general protections provisions under the FW Act can be
sought by the affected employee, relevant union or an inspector appointed under the
FW Act. Remedies include court orders imposing civil penalties and various protective or
remedial orders, including injunctions and orders for reinstatement or compensation.190

Judicial review
Employment decisions under the PS Act are subject to the usual administrative law
requirements, including a requirement that employees be afforded procedural fairness
in decision-making. An employee can seek judicial review under the general law191 or
under the AD(JR) Act.

186	See Police Federation of Australia v Nixon (2008) 168 FCR 340. See also Jones v Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre Ltd
(No 2) (2010) 186 FCR 22.
	Alternatively, commencement of a formal disciplinary process and the conduct of an investigation into misconduct allegations
might be regarded as normal incidents of employment that do not themselves constitute adverse action: see for example
United Firefighters’ Union of Australia v Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board (2003) 198 ALR 466 at [89]–[92].
187 See Grant v State of Victoria (The Office of Public Prosecutions) [2014] FCCA 17.
188 See s 361 of the FW Act.
189	See s 342(3) of the FW Act. For example, in Eriksson v Commonwealth of Australia [2011] FMCA 964 at [42] it was held that,
where a termination of employment pursuant to s 29(3)(d) of the PS Act (on the ground of inability to perform duties because
of a physical or mental incapacity) was lawfully made, the decision did not constitute adverse action, as it was within the
exception in s 342(3) of the FW Act.
190 See Ch 4 of the FW Act.
191 For example, under the jurisdiction conferred on the Federal Court by s 39B of the Judiciary Act 1903.

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Legal briefing 104 15 October 2014

Whistleblower protections under the Public Interest
Disclosure Act
The Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013 (PID Act) provides for the protection of current
and former public officials (including APS employees) who make a public interest
disclosure of the kind that is covered by the Act. The PID Act also provides for
investigation of a public interest disclosure covered by the Act.
A person who makes a public interest disclosure covered by the PID Act has immunities
from legal liability and protection from reprisals.192 It is a criminal offence to take,
or threaten to take, such reprisal action against another person. The Federal Court or
Federal Circuit Court can make orders to protect a person from reprisals or threatened
reprisals and can make remedial orders, including reinstatement and payment of
compensation.
Where misconduct action is taken for legitimate management purposes and not
because a person has made a public interest disclosure, there is no breach of the
protections in the PID Act.
Where a person makes a public interest disclosure covered by the PID Act, there is
generally an obligation to investigate, subject to some exceptions.193
Disclosures of the kind that can attract the protections and engage the investigation
obligations under the PID Act include disclosures of alleged misconduct where:
• t he disclosure is of information that tends to show, or that the discloser believes on
reasonable grounds tends to show, conduct that could, if proved, give reasonable
grounds for disciplinary action against a public official (including an APS employee)
• t he disclosure is made by an APS employee to their supervisor; an authorised officer
in their agency or in the agency to which the conduct relates; or the Ombudsman.194
Where an agency conducts a PID Act investigation that relates to an alleged breach of
the Code, the agency must comply with its procedures under s 15(3) of the PS Act.195
Agencies should therefore ensure that procedures under s 15(3) take appropriate
account of the operation of the PID Act.
Commonly, a convenient means of ensuring compliance with obligations under the PID
Act is to require that a PID Act investigation be carried out before the commencement
of any formal misconduct process under the PS Act and that the PID investigation be the
basis for deciding whether to commence a formal misconduct process. Alternatively, in
some cases it is appropriate for a Code investigation to proceed, in which case a decision
might be made, once the Code action has commenced, not to investigate the disclosure
under the PID Act.

192 See ss 10–19A of the PID Act.
193	See ss 46–54 in relation to investigations. Note also the obligations in ss 42–45 concerning allocation of public interest
disclosures to the appropriate agency for handling of the investigation and any consequential action.
194 See s 29(2).
195 See s 53(5)(b).

30

Misconduct in the Australian Public Service

Workers’ compensation
The Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRC Act) provides for compensation to be
paid to Commonwealth employees when they suffer a work-related injury or disease. Comcare
makes decisions under the SRC Act.
Under the SRC Act, injuries or diseases that are the result of reasonable disciplinary action
(formal or informal) are excluded from compensation if the action was taken in a reasonable
manner in respect of the employee’s employment.196 The exclusion also covers reasonable
counselling action (formal or informal) and reasonable suspension action. It extends to anything
reasonably done in connection with counselling, suspension or disciplinary action.197
The scope of the exclusionary provision was significantly expanded in
2007.198 Before then the courts and Administrative Appeals Tribunal had
been restrictive in determining what was reasonable disciplinary action
under the old exclusion. Broadly, steps taken before determining a breach or
imposing a sanction, including investigation of possible breaches of the Code,
were held not to amount to reasonable disciplinary action.199 These cases on
the restrictions under the old exclusion no longer provide useful guidance.
The current exclusion extends to anything reasonably done in connection
with formal or informal disciplinary action. For example, it can clearly cover
the decision to commence a formal Code process and investigation.

‘Where a person
makes a public interest
disclosure covered by
the PID Act, there is
generally an obligation
to investigate...’

Under s 14(3) of the SRC Act compensation is not payable in respect of an injury that is caused by
serious and wilful misconduct by the employee unless the injury results in death or serious and
permanent impairment.200 The conduct must be ‘a direct and proximate cause and not simply the
cause of the cause or the mere occasion of the injury.201 ‘Serious’ refers to the misconduct and not
to its consequences.202

196	For an example of informal disciplinary action see Perera v Comcare [2013] AATA 589, in which the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT)
found that a reprimand given to an employee in a meeting about the employee’s behaviour in that meeting was reasonable administrative
action taken in a reasonable manner.
197	See s 5A of the SRC Act. The Full Court of the Federal Court in Commonwealth Bank of Australia v Reeve (2012) 199 FCR 463 confirmed that
the exclusion applies to actions such as disciplinary action and explained that the exclusion does not extend to action in relation to the
employee performing their ordinary duties. See Comcare v Martinez (No 2) (2013) 212 FCR 272 at [65]–[84] as to the proper approach for
assessing whether action is reasonable for the purposes of the exclusionary provisions in s 5A of the SRC Act. See for example Blatchford v
Commonwealth Bank of Australia Ltd [2011] AATA 735 and Re Jane Amanda Sands and Comcare [2011] AATA 710.
198 See the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2007.
199	See Commission for the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation of Commonwealth Employees v Chenhall (1992) 37 FCR 75 at 83. See also
Ramalingam and Comcare [2004] AATA.
200	The Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 introduced on 19 March 2014 proposes to remove the
exception to s 14(3). If passed, s 14(3) will preclude the payment of compensation for any injury caused by the serious and wilful misconduct
of the employee.
201 Re Elvin and Comcare (1998) 51 ALD 706 at 741.
202 Comcare v Calipari [2001] FCA 1534 at [3].

31

Legal briefing 104 15 October 2014

This briefing was prepared by Paul Vermeesch
Paul Vermeesch works extensively in misconduct matters, assisting clients to manage misconduct
processes and make decisions, and to deal with legal challenges.

AGS contacts
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Sarah Wright

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