What is a temporary acting opportunity and who can fill them?
Megan Marsh
Updated
The JSE Recruitment Policy (JSE Policy) states that ‘temporary acting opportunities (e.g. leave backfill or the temporary filling of a vacant role when a substantive recruitment process is underway) for up to 6 months can be filled internally if a Victorian Public Service (VPS) employee from within the VPS identified. Otherwise, employers must advertise these opportunities on the JSE. (clause 8)
A temporary acting opportunity arises when:
a vacancy has been created due to the existing employee being temporarily away from that role for any reason (e.g. on leave, secondment etc) OR
a role is vacant and a substantive recruitment process is underway.
The vacancy created by this absence (when less than six months) can be filled internally (within the VPS) without needing to be advertised on the JSE and does not require Secretary approval.
The VPS employee filling a temporary acting opportunity does not need to be from the same department/agency as where the vacancy has arisen. For example, one department may, by agreement, bring over a VPS employee from another department to fill a temporary acting opportunity.
If a vacancy is longer than six months, it will need to be advertised through the JSE. If you're interested in extending a temporary acting opportunity, please consider this FAQ.
