In 1894, a Royal Commission was appointed to investigate the organisation of the Civil Establishment and though inconclusive, the findings of the Commission led to the passing of the first Public Service Act in 1900 (No. 21 of 1900). This Act incorporated the existing British Colonial Office Rules and practices into one charter and placed the administration of the service in the hands of Ministers of Departments. However, each Department was still a separate organisation and was not responsible to a central co-ordinating body. This led to irregularities and lack of uniformity between Departments in staffing, salaries and classification.

To overcome these problems and to try to bring an end to the long period of political patronage of the public service, a new Public Service Act was passed (No. 41 of 1904). This Act was proclaimed on 17 April 1905 and brought the Public Service under the administration of an independent Commissioner. The first Commissioner, Martin Edward Jull, was appointed on the 20 April 1905.

In 1970, the Government passed legislation establishing a Public Service Board and abolishing the Public Service Commission. The Public Service Board came into being in February 1971.