The Premier recently announced that there will be a 20% reduction in senior executive numbers.  This circular provides advice on the process for achieving the reductions.

The reductions target applies to the following categories of staff:

Chief Executive Service Positions

• Department Heads, Public Sector Employment & Management Act (PSEM Act) Schedule 2, Part 1 Heads of Public Authorities (PSEM Act Schedule 2, Part 2)

Senior Executive Service Positions

• SES Positions determined under PSEMA s.65(1)(a) Statutory positions, PSEMA, Schedule 2, Part 3

Central agencies will clearly also be expected to contribute to the target. It also covers the Department of Health but not the Police Executive Service.  

The number of Chief Executive Service and Senior Executive Service positions as at 30 June 2008 was 853. This will be the basis for the application of the 20% target resulting in a reduction of 171 positions.  Reductions in numbers must be undertaken by January 2009 to meet the savings targets.

Some agencies may have already identified Senior Executive Service reductions as a potential savings strategy in the current Mini Budget process or for future savings initiatives; these reductions can count towards the 20% target. 

I acknowledge that many administrations have already made significant reductions in their Senior Executive Service numbers.  Other agencies have further potential to reduce management layers.  These reductions will therefore be progressed on an agency by agency basis.  In the first instance agencies are to provide preliminary advice on their proposed reductions to Leanne Wallace, Deputy Director General Public Sector Workforce Office by Friday 14 November 2008.

Pending the finalisation of the Mini Budget it is also important that other senior management positions are not increased.  Effective from today and until further notice agency Chief Executive Officers are not to create any additional Senior Officer positions.

I have asked my Department to ensure that there is close monitoring of the reductions in Senior Executive Service numbers.  Commencing in the first quarter of 2009 the Department of Premier and Cabinet will be implementing a regular quarterly report on the reductions of SES numbers. The report will be placed on the Department of Premier and Cabinet web site.

Robyn Kruk
Director General

Issued: Public Sector Workforce Office
Contact: Leanne Wallace
EMail: [email protected]
Telephone no: 9228 3053 Facsimile: 9228 4757