For APS staff
As part of the National Employment Standards (NES) and an amendment to the Public Sector Workplace Relations Policy 2020, APS staff are eligible to access substitute public holidays in accordance with the Department's Enterprise Agreement (clause 3.38) which states that an employee and a delegate may agree to a substitute public holiday for another one.
To request a substitute public holiday, you will need to have a conversation with your EL2 or GM/SES manager and have an arrangement agreed to in writing prior to the public holiday in question.
For contractors
Contractors may be able to access public holiday substitution based on the terms and conditions specified in their contracts (some contracts strictly do not allow for substitutions).
If you are a contractor and would like to substitute a public holiday for another day, you will need to:
- review the terms and conditions of your contract with your employing agency to determine your eligibility
- negotiate with your agency with the written agreement of your ARENA manager.
For consultants
Consultants can work the public holiday with the written agreement of their manager.
For managers
As a manager considering a public holiday substitution request, you should consider:
- operational requirements including gainful work
- after-hours access and personal safety considerations
- the ability to work from home
- business continuity.
If your team member is eligible, you will need to agree to the request in writing. Managers will also need to notify the People & Culture team via the HR Helpdesk or via email if you agree to one of your team members substituting a public holiday.
If a substitution is agreed to, we encourage everyone to take the substitute day off within a reasonable timeframe and with the agreement of your delegate/manager considering operational requirements.