The Commission exercises its functions through:

1. the Public Service Commission Regulations, 1960. (These regulations are currently being revised.)
2. the Public Service Commission (Disciplinary Procedure) Regulations, 1999
3. a number of Instruments of Delegation, made in terms of section 110 of the Constitution, which empower heads of department or other authorities to exercise certain functions relating to appointments and discipline, subject to the overview of the Commission.

The functions of the Commission in relation to appointments include:

1. making recommendations and giving advice to the Prime Minister in the making of appointments into or within the public service;
2. vetting and approving  draft calls for applications submitted by heads of department and verified by the Office of the Prime Minister;
3. approving selection boards nominated by heads of department;
4. approving selection methods and criteria;
5. deciding queries raised by selection boards on such questions as eligibility of candidates;
6. vetting and approving reports submitted by selection boards;
7. approving and publishing results of selection exercises;
8. making recommendations regarding:                                                      -  removal from office and termination of appointments, performance agreements or contracts;                                                                        - extension of probationary periods and performance agreements;
9. considering  petitions relating to appointments, made to the Prime Minister in terms of section 1.1.10 of the Public Service Management Code; 
10. summoning of heads of department and selection boards, where necessary; and 
11. dealing with other representations made to the Commission.

The functions of the Commission in relation to discipline include:

1. making recommendations to the Prime Minister for the suspension and interdiction of public officers charged with serious offences;
2. making recommendations to the Prime Minister on penalties, including dismissal, to be imposed on public officers found guilty of criminal or serious offences;
3. making recommendations to the Prime Minister on the forfeiture or otherwise of money withheld from the salary of public officers during the period of interdiction;
4. hearing appeals from public officers against decisions made by heads of departments under delegated authority, in terms of section 30 (1) of the Public Service Commission (Disciplinary Procedure) Regulations, 1999;
5. hearing of representations from heads of department and public officers in terms of sections 16 (2), 26 (2) (b), 32 (1) and 33 (1) of the Public Service Commission (Disciplinary Procedure) Regulations, 1999.