A new version of the Personnel Handbook is now available and supersedes the existing Handbook. The cost of the new Handbook is $100, which is $50 less than the previous version of the Handbook. The new edition combines information contained in Legislation, Circulars, Awards, Agreements and Determinations into a single reference source, expressed in easily understood terms. The Handbook is based on a Chapter structure and includes a comprehensive index. The Handbook also contains the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award 1997 which was made recently.

The new edition is in the form of a single A4 size book and replaces the current loose leaf two part format. Amendments will no longer be issued. Instead the Handbook will be revised and reissued as a whole document from time to time. A computer disk version in Word for Windows 6 and Rich Text Format is also provided with each printed copy of the Handbook.

The December 1997 edition is the product of the first stage in bringing the Handbook up to date. My Department will continue to work on updating the Handbook over the next 12 months. Further changes to the Handbook will be made following close consultations with unions and agencies. This work is expected to result in a further version being available in about 12 months time.

The Handbook can be purchased from the Government Printing Service or Government Information Service (attached details).

Would you please bring to the attention of your department and any sub-department or authority coming within, or associated with your administration, the availability of the new Handbook.

C. Gellatly
Director-General