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

The PSM recognises outstanding service of Public Sector employees. Outstanding service includes:

• service above and beyond the normal requirements of the position;
• a special achievement or success in the performance of duty in difficult or unusual circumstances; or
• sustained performance by an individual with a focus on outcomes and recognisable benefits to clients and the workplace.

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. Nominations for NSW recipients are then put forward to the Governor-General, who has the authority to approve the award.

Receiving a PSM is a prestigious honour with only 100 recipients awarded nationally each year. NSW recipients of the PSM are awarded at an investiture ceremony hosted by the Governor of NSW on behalf of the Governor General.

Receiving a PSM entitles recipients to use the post nominal ‘PSM’ to formally acknowledge their achievement.

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.

Nominations are currently being invited for the Australia Day 2019 Australian Honours list.

Nominations will close on Wednesday, 1 August 2018.

The PSM nomination form and guidelines are available at www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/programs-and-services/awards-and-recognition/awards-for-public-service/

Tim Reardon