Own motion audits

Important note

The MPC will be able to conduct an own motion audit on an eligible APS selection exercise from 1 April 2025, which is when the new Regulations commenced.

It only applies to selection processes arising from a vacancy advertised in the Public Service Gazette on or after 1 April 2025. 

If a merit pool was created from a selection process that was advertised prior to 1 April 2025, it will not be eligible for an own motion audit. To be considered for an audit, a selection process must be advertised on or after 1 April 2025. 

What does 'own motion' mean?

The own motion audit power means the MPC can decide to conduct an audit into a selection exercise without the need for a complaint or an application for review.

The MPC can conduct an audit review into a selection exercise at any stage of the process – including prior to a final selection decision being made.

It is a discretionary power and designed to give greater visibility of APS agencies’ compliance with the merit principle. It will provide an opportunity to educate and uplift recruitment capability and outcomes.

How will the MPC decide what to audit?

The MPC can audit selection exercises for APS 2 – 6 roles that have been advertised after 1 April 2025. A process can only be reviewed once.

The MPC will take a range of factors into account when deciding which selection exercises to audit.

The audit function allows the MPC to inspect those recruitment processes that would otherwise not be eligible for review. We will also use intelligence received from complaints and concerns raised with us, or through our other review work.

What information will an audit look at?

The MPC will review the entire selection process to determine it meets the:

• elements of the merit principle as defined in Section 10A Public Service Act 1999 and
• requirements of a merit-based recruitment in the APS Commissioner’s Directions 2022

The MPC will only consider information that was available to the selection committee and decision maker (or was known to the agency but not given to the decision maker). The Regulations prevent the MPC from considering fresh information, as it is not relevant to the review of the selection process.

A reviewer will look at all the documents and information that an Agency holds and creates that relate to the selection process. This includes the planning documentation, policies, the role description, details of the selection panel and assessment tasks, appropriate delegation documentation and the selection report.

Agencies will be provided with instructions and a check list to assist them to fully comply with the notice.