The PSM is a prestigious award within the Australian Honours and Awards system.

The PSM recognises outstanding service of Public Sector employees. As outlined in the guidelines, 'outstanding service' can be shown through:

• service excellence to the public, or to external or internal clients
• innovation in program, project or policy development
• leadership, including a member of a team
• the achievement of more efficient processes, improved productivity or better service delivery.

The PSM is awarded by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. In NSW, nominations are considered by the NSW PSM Committee which recommends a list of proposed recipients to the Premier, who then sends the recommendation to the Governor of NSW. Nominations for NSW recipients are then put forward to the Governor-General, who has the authority to approve the awards.

All local, state and Commonwealth government public sector employees are eligible for the PSM. The PSM is not confined to senior officers; it is available to any public sector employee regardless of grade or age. It should be noted that long service alone is not a sufficient basis for nomination.

Secretaries and Chief Executive Officers are encouraged to consider nominating employees who deserve official recognition for their outstanding service.

Nominations are currently being invited for the 2015 Australia Day Australian Honours list.

Nominations will close on Friday 1 August 2014. The PSM nomination form and guidelines are available from the Australian Honours website - www.itsanhonour.gov.au.

Simon A Y Smith
Acting Secretary