Commonwealth Public Service List

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Search for your ancestors in Commonwealth Public Service List.

Search our genealogy records

Discover details about Australian ancestors who worked in a government role in the early 20th century. Search the records of tens of thousands of people employed by the commonwealth in these two lists, one from 1904, the other from 1920 to find their name, date of birth and details of their job. It’s a vital family history resource.

Learn about these records

What can these records tell me?

These records are made up of two separate lists, 1904 and 1920 in a PDF format. The information contained varies but you can find out the following about your ancestor:

  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • Date of first appointment
  • Office (position) appointed to
  • Division
  • Class or grade
  • Salary (including rent)
  • Deductions for rent
  • District allowance
  • Miscellaneous allowance
  • Date present salary received from

The 1920 volume includes several additional pieces of information

  • Rates of annual salary assigned to certain positions
  • Post office classifications
  • Classification of telegraphists
  • Special district allowances
  • Comprehensive index to permanent commonwealth officers.

Discover more about the Commonwealth Public Service List

The List of Permanent Officers of the Commonwealth Public Service was published for the first time in June 1904 and gave the details of over 13,000 people employed throughout Australia. It is arranged by department and, where applicable, by state.

The larger 1920 list, published on June 30th 1920, gives details of over 22,000 people.