Introduction

Specifically, the handbook:

• assists public entities to manage employment contracts, remuneration and employment matters relating to executives,
• provides further guidance to executives and public entity employers on executive employment and the Public Entity Executive Remuneration Policy.
• outlines the government’s expectations around executive employment practices, and
• provides direction to other related policies, resources and materials.

This Handbook is managed by the Department of Premier Cabinet..

Responsible agencies and who to contact

Entities and their portfolio departments provide day-to-day advice and support on executive workforce matters such as remuneration, classification, employment and performance.

On employment related matters, executives should contact the human resources unit, executive employment coordinator or manager within their organisation.

Department of Premier and Cabinet

DPC has primary responsibility for whole of government executive workforce policy, including:

• the standard executive contracts, remuneration and employment policy
• the Premier's annual remuneration adjustment guideline rate
• the Public Entity Executive Remuneration Policy
• the Executive Motor Vehicle Scheme.

Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal

The Tribunal is responsible for setting the values of the remuneration bands for executives employed in VPS bodies and prescribed public entities and for making Guidelines relating to the placement of executives within the remuneration bands.

The Tribunal also:

• advises on proposals to pay an executive above their relevant remuneration band
• conducts reviews and publishes reports on remuneration trends in the public sector
• determines salaries and allowances for local government Councillors and Members of Parliament.

The Victorian Public Sector Commission

The VPSC supports the public sector and its employees by:

• strengthening the efficiency, effectiveness and capability of the public sector in order to meet existing and emerging needs and deliver high quality services, and
• maintaining, and advocating for, public sector professionalism and integrity.

The VPSC has published materials specifically in relation to executive employment, including:

• VPS executive classification framework sets out the work value methodology for assessing and classifying executive positions into one of three bands, using tailored work value assessments.
• VPS executive performance management handbook provides the foundational principles that shape and drive executive performance and behaviours.
• Managing separation risks of VPS executives provides a guide for employers to manage separation risks with VPS executives.

Executive employment resources

The following links provide resources that support this Handbook and the key stages of employment.

Pre-employment

• VicFleet Services – Manages operation and procurement of executive vehicles
• Executive vehicle cost to package calculator – Tool to determine the total cost of packaging a vehicle into a remuneration package
• Standard contract for public entity executives – Template setting out mandatory terms and conditions for executive employment
• Conflict of interest – Guidance on managing and declaring conflicts
• Public sector values – Overview of the core values guiding behaviour and decision-making in the Victorian Public Service
• Pre-employment and misconduct screening – Processes for background and probity checks before appointment
• Code of conduct for Victorian public sector employees – Expected standards of behaviour and integrity obligations for all staff
• Public entity executive classification framework – Explains how executive roles are classified and remunerated
• Victorian public entity executive employment – Practical guidance on recruitment, management, and termination of executives
• Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal – Provides determinations on remuneration, allowances and benefits for public sector Executives

During employment

• Flexible work policy – Sets out the VPS approach to flexible work arrangements
• The Victorian Government Professional Lobbyist Code of Conduct – Rules governing interactions between lobbyists and public officials
• Gifts, benefits and hospitality – Guidance on declaring, refusing, and managing offers of gifts or hospitality
• Diverse and inclusive teams – Strategies and expectations for building inclusive, fair, and equitable workplaces
• Remuneration bands for executives employed in prescribed public entities – Outlines remuneration bands for public entity executive classifications
• Annual remuneration changes – Outlines the annual guideline rate and remuneration band changes
• Public entity executive remuneration policy – Policy outlining how executive pay is determined and administered across the VPS
• Proposals to pay a public sector executive above the remuneration band – Requirements and approval process for exceeding top of remuneration band
• 2025 Capability Development Statement - Defines the core skills and capabilities expected of public sector leaders. While the statement applies to the VPS, it is a useful resource for all public sector staff

Post employment

• Managing separation risks of VPS executives – A guide for employers to manage separation risks with VPS executives