South Australia: Premier’s Direction on Flexibility for the Future

Status and scope

Listed by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment. 26 June 2017 (catalogue issue date; linked amended text). This agency direction was made under section 10 of the Public Sector Act 2009 (SA). Check the statutory limit for quasi-judicial and statutorily independent functions and the exclusions stated in the direction.

What it requires

Covered agencies must give serious consideration to whether a role can be redesigned for flexibility before advertising it and to suitable applicants seeking flexible arrangements. If organisational imperatives prevent support, the decision-maker must give written reasons within 21 days in the circumstances set out in the direction. It separately requires serious consideration of career-related unpaid leave applications of up to two years and consideration of redesigned roles for graduates and trainees.

What to check in corrections

For a corrections position, identify the shifts and duties for which a particular arrangement is requested. Ask for the actual operational reason if the request is rejected. The direction sets process requirements; it does not guarantee a flexible roster or displace the relevant award, agreement or separate flexible-work determination.

Read the official direction (PDF) · Premier’s Directions register · Public Sector Act 2009 (SA), section 10