The Public Sector Code of Ethics, based on principle of 'Respect for Persons', extends to interactions between public sector employees outside the workplace and hours of duty, where those interactions have relevance to the status or position of the employees within the public sector.

Section 9(c) PSMA imposes principles of conduct on both public sector bodies and public sector employees and requires that in their dealings with each other public sector employees are to be courteous, considerate and sensitive.

For s9(c) dealings to fall within the intended scope of that provision, if not in the course of public sector employment, the dealing must be 'relevant' to that employment or have a 'relevant connection' to that employment.

Section 9(b) PSMA refers expressly to 'performance of official duties'; conduct that is not within the performance of official duties cannot be a breach of the requirement to 'act with integrity in the performance of official duties'.

The principles in s 7-s 9 of the PSM Act are not independent statutory rules establishing duties and obligations but are principles to which the Commissioner must have regard in issuing instructions establishing public sector standards and which regulate the exercise of the functions of chief executive officers and chief employees.

Sections 7–9 of the PSM Act identify principles by which other provisions of the PSM Act operate and do not establish independent obligations and duties; they apply only to the extent provisions of the PSM Act require regard to be had to them or functions to be performed in accordance with them.

An appointment under s64 of the PSM Act must comply with s64 of the PSM Act, the Commissioner's Instructions, and any order of the Arbitrator; whether deeming orders would result in a lawful permanent appointment is a separate matter.

Provisions of the PSM Act ss7-9 concerning principles of administration and conduct are guidelines or aspirational in nature rather than mandatory requirements whose breach renders a decision void or voidable.

The term 'conditions of service' in s80I(1)(a) is wide and encompasses all statutory and contractual terms of appointment, including the organisational structure and reporting lines which determine the environment affecting employment.

A public sector standard has application to various methods by which vacancies in the public sector may be filled; the Employment Standard applies when filling a vacancy by recruitment, selection, appointment, secondment, transfer and temporary deployment. The Commission's jurisdiction is excluded in its entirety in respect of a matter where a public sector standard has been prescribed and procedures have been made under s97(1)(a) of the Public Sector Management Act.

Professional standards under Teacher Registration Act refer to standards developed by the Board and approved by the Minister, detailing abilities, experience, knowledge or skills expected of registered teachers.

The Board's levels of provisional registration and full registration are directly linked to the graduate standard and proficient standard respectively.