On 27 February 2026, the Public Service Association of NSW (PSA) attended a further conciliation conference at the Industrial Relations Commission regarding the Psychologists Award dispute.

PSA Proposal

The PSA asked the Industrial Relations Commissioner to make a recommendation that would provide interim relief to psychologists by providing a mechanism for agency heads to approve requests for psychologists to have increments accelerated. This was proposed as a short-term measure, alongside an interim attraction and retention allowance to help address the serious attraction and retention issues affecting psychologists in the NSW public service.

However, the Industrial Relations Secretary had already indicated that it would not support accelerated increments as an interim measure.

During the conference, the Crown Solicitor’s Office (CSO), representing the Secretary, confirmed that:

• The Secretary opposed the recommendation to accelerate increments.
• The Secretary believed this type of relief was not appropriate.
• The Secretary argued that the making of any recommendation in which the Secretary acknowledged retention and attraction issues would prejudice it during any arbitration of the dispute.

The PSA made submissions to the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) highlighting that:

• The State had previously not disputed the factual basis of the PSA’s dispute notification that there is a serious attraction and retention crisis affecting public service psychologists.
• It was concerning that the State now appeared to be stepping back from acknowledging these issues.
• The State has not taken proactive steps to resolve the retention and attraction issues identified by the PSA in its dispute.
• Addressing the crisis is in the interests of both psychologists and the State, as the retention and attraction crisis directly impacts the State’s ability to deliver critical services.

The IRC Commissioner ultimately did not make the recommendation.

Next Steps in the case

The PSA requested that the matter be formally timetabled for arbitration concerning an interim award creating an attraction and retention allowance for psychologists to ensure that progress towards a decision could continue without delay.

A hearing for the interim award application has been set down for 10 – 14 August and 17 August 2026. The PSA must file its case in support of the interim award by 4 May 2026.

The proposed interim award the PSA is seeking would establish a Psychologists Attraction and Retention Allowance for a period of 12 months, payable in equal instalments each fortnight. This step is proposed to allow the sizeable task of preparing evidence in relation to the final relief, being the making of a new psychologists award with significant increases to pay and conditions to be completed in a manner which will provide the best result.

A work value assessment for the pay of psychologists in the NSW Public Service has not occurred since at least when the Crown Employees (Psychologists) Award was made in 2006. The work value component of the PSA’s claim for the Psychologists Award must be established on its own evidence.

As the current salary rates for School Psychologists were reached by agreement, without the involvement of the IRC, it is not a given that the Commission would award the same or substantially similar rates if the necessary evidence demonstrating work value and other considerations cannot satisfy the Commission that the changes are necessary to set fair and reasonable conditions.

Award negotiations

As noted previously, on 12 December 2025, the IRC recommended that the Crown is to provide its representative in these proceedings, the Industrial Relations Secretary, bargaining parameters in relation to the PSA’s salary and conditions claim concerning the Psychologists Award by no later than 16 March 2026.

On 16 March 2026, the Secretary sought the PSA’s consent to extend the timeframe to give the Secretary further time to consider the interim relief sought by the PSA  and consider its response. It is the PSA’s position that the interim relief has no bearing on the substantive claims made by the PSA for the negotiation of a new Psychologists Award and interim relief has only been sought due to the delays of the Secretary obtaining bargaining parameters which would allow negotiations to continue.  The PSA rejected the request of the Secretary.

The failure of the Secretary to comply with the recommendation is something that can be considered by the IRC when it exercises its functions, including in determining the interim and final relief. No reasons have been provided about why the Secretary has not complied with the recommendation.

The PSA has repeatedly expressed its desire to continue to negotiate with the Secretary to resolve the Psychologists Award claim. However, given the urgency of the attraction and retention crisis, the PSA will not pause the arbitration process. The PSA does not need the Secretary to obtain bargaining parameters to arbitrate either interim or final relief.

Next steps in campaign

The PSA is also seeking members who are willing to assist with our media campaign and those who may be prepared to act as witnesses in proceedings before the IRC. If you are interested in participating, please contact Chris Auld, Senior Organiser, or your Psychology Award working group members.

The PSA will also hold an online meeting for members and potential members to provide an update, answer questions, and discuss how individuals can become more involved in the PSA’s campaign (details to follow).

Contacts

Chris Auld Senior Organiser

Your Psychology Advisory Group Members

Amy Sowerby (Corrective Services)

Mary Sanna (Corrective Services)

Samantha Sharp (Child Protection)

Gemma Clarke (Child Protection)

Ruth Marshall (Youth Justice)

Rebekah Green (Youth Justice)

Zoe Harrison (Police)

Sarah Yule (Police)