ARTICLE · 17 SEPTEMBER 2017

Performance management in the Queensland public sector

Sparke Helmore Lawyers

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The Queensland Government is by far the state's largest employer so an effective performance management process is vital.

AustraliaEmployment and HR

Andrew Ross (Formerly With Sparke Helmore Lawyers)

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The Queensland Government is by far the state's largest employer with more than 212,000 employees – and with so many employees, an effective performance management process is vital.

Public sector employees are regulated by both the Public Service Act 2008 (Qld) (PS Act) or Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld) (IR Act), with the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) also applying to Queensland Government owned corporations. The legislation sets out requirements on government agencies throughout the performance management process, including around the dismissal of employees. However, case law has also strongly influenced what constitutes an effective performance management process, with public sector employers required to try to improve employee performance before considering termination.¹

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