This circular is to reaffirm that the new Public Sector Employment and Management Act 2002 (the Act) is being implemented in two (2) stages.

Stage One involved the commencement of all provisions of the Act from 9 September 2002, except for the provisions as listed below. These specific provisions require guidelines to be developed and negotiated with agencies and unions before implementation:-

• Part 2.4 Departmental Temporary Employees (ss 27-31);
• Part 2.6 Casual employees (ss 38-39);
• Part 2.7 Management of conduct and performance (ss 40-53);
• s. 86 Temporary staff transfers (secondments);
• s. 88 Temporary assignment of public sector staff to other agencies; and
• s. 100 Cross Agency employment.

Until the commencement of Stage Two, the following Public Sector Management Act 1988 provisions will still apply and have effect:-

• Departmental temporary employees (ss 38 - 38A); and
• Discipline and the conduct of officers in the Public Service (Part 5 ss 65A - 81).

Agencies will be advised prior to the commencement of Stage 2.

The electronic versions of the Personnel Handbook and the Senior Executive Service Guidelines on the Premier's Department website at www.dpc.nsw.gov.au have been updated for Stage One.

Any enquiries may be directed to Tony Nicod or Raymond Ng on telephone numbers 9228 3592 and 9228 5176.

(signed)

C Gellatly
Director-General