What the PSA will be continuing to work on this term:
Collating feedback from members on the School Visitor Check In (SVCI) and utilising it to seek improvements to the SVCI and eCPC processes, including clearer guidance, reduced administrative burden and more practical compliance arrangements for schools.
Working with delegates and the Department to address increasing incidents of violence in schools and secure safer workplaces for all school support staff.
Monitoring the rollout of the Thriving Kids program and advocating for additional staffing, training, resources, and clear guidance to support successful implementation in schools both with the Department and with the NSW Government through the parliamentary inquiry.
Supporting the newly established Aboriginal Education Officers Advisory Group as it progresses key priorities for AEOs, including Statements of Duties and entitlement arrangements.
Representing members through the Chemical Management Improvement Plan and advocating for safe systems of work, appropriate training, health monitoring and recognition of the work undertaken by SAOs working in Science and General Assistants.
Holding the Department accountable for its review of the General Assistant entitlement and allocation methodology to ensure additional resourcing is reaching General Assistants and delivering meaningful workload relief.
Contacts
Your organisers are:
Metro:
Tracey McGuire
Marisa Bosco
Susan Chee Quee
Alison Crittenden
Monique Anderson
Peta Noke (GAs)
Regional:
Jo Aboud (Newcastle/Hunter)
Rebecca Reilly and Mik Smart (North Coast/Mid-North Coast)
Bart Mackenzie and Shane Elliot (South Coast)
Tania Woods (North West)
Belinda Pearce (Central West)
Tom Hooper (South West)
If you are a member with an individual issue, you can contact the PSA on 1800 772 679 for advice and support.
Transport for NSW Point to Point Commission: PSA escalates dispute over telematics policy
Following our member meeting on 13 October 2026, the PSA has formally escalated a dispute with Transport for NSW regarding the use of telematics and the potential disciplinary actions against staff within the the Point to Point Commission Division.
Despite concerns raised by members, Transport for NSW has failed to adequately address the ongoing inaccuracies with the system.
Members have repeatedly reported instances where the system has recorded incorrect speed limits or failed to reflect changes in road conditions, yet little has been done to fix these issues on Transports part.
Of particular concern is that the onus is now on employees to prove the system is wrong, rather than Transport for NSW establishing that the information is accurate in the first place.
This has created a situation where members are effectively being treated as guilty until proven innocent.
What the PSA is seeking?
As part of this dispute, we have requested the following assurances from Transport for NSW in writing:
Confirmation that there is no ‘three strikes and you’re out’ rule in place.
No disciplinary action will arise from disputed telematics reports.
No disputed incidents will be placed on an employee’s personnel file.
The PSA has also called for the current procedure to be reviewed and updated to address the system’s failure to keep pace with changes to road conditions and speed limits.
Our position is clear: members should not be held accountable for the failures of a system they have no control over.
We are Stronger Together!
If you know of a colleague who is not yet a union member, please forward them this email and encourage them to join. During this period of significant change, it is important that we stand together.
A strong union membership gives us greater strength to advocate and negotiate fair outcomes at the decision making table.
Only union members have the support, protection and representation of their collective.
Planning, Integration and Passenger Hayley Dellaca Newcastle West Leisa Sedger Grafton
Rhys McGowan Sydney
Coordinator General Michael Rohrlach St Helena Tunnel Control Centre
People, Communication and Workplaces Joanne Kent Macquarie Park Arshdeep Kohli Petersham Training Centre Dane Richards Burwood Gloria Nallas Sydney Tim Jarrett Grafton
Infrastructure, Projects and Engineering Jenny Beeby Paramatta
Matt Carroll Grafton
Point to Point (Combined Electorate) Mick Lister Grafton
Courts and Tribunals, Strategy Reform and Support Joint Consultative Committee meeting
The PSA recently met with Strategy Reform and Support for the Joint Consultative Committee. The following issues were discussed.
Deputy rostering system
Strategy Reform and Support have advised that two pilot programs have been completed, involving court reporters at Castlereagh Street and Parramatta. The pilot program has been expanded by a further four court reporters, bringing the total number of participants to eight. Most inquiries relate to system use and navigation rather than technical issues. Strategy Reform and Support advised that the pilot will continue to expand progressively, with all Court Reporters expected to be onboarded before Christmas, subject to ongoing pilot outcomes.
Relocation, operational efficiency, and travel between locations
The PSA raised concerns regarding the efficiency of Court Reporters, including:
travel time between locations;
transcription arrangements;
the use of touchdown spaces; and
the potential impact on service delivery and transcript production.
Strategy Reform and Support advised that the operating model remains under review and that service delivery requirements will continue to guide rostering arrangements, workspace utilisation and operational planning. It was noted that touchdown spaces and flexible work arrangements will form part of ongoing planning and consultation activities.
Court Reporters will be allocated a desk at Civic and a touchdown space at Law Court. Working from home may be possible if there are not enough desks at the Law Courts.
Opal cards can be provided for travel.
Storage, equipment and work health and safety
Discussion occurred regarding transportation of stenography equipment, laptops and work-related items between locations, together with storage requirements for equipment, reference materials and personal belongings. Concerns were raised regarding manual handling requirements.
Strategy Reform and Support advised that risk assessments have been undertaken and will continue to be reviewed as relocation planning progresses. Storage requirements, workplace equipment and touchdown space arrangements continue to be considered as part of the workplace design and relocation planning process.
Fifteen lockers have been provided at Law Courts. No individually allocated lockers.
Court reporting work allocation and operating model
The PSA raised questions regarding future court reporting arrangements, including transcription locations, trial allocations, work across court jurisdictions, team allocations, flexible working arrangements and the potential impact of travel between locations on transcript production and service delivery. The PSA also sought clarification on whether the relocation would result in changes to the work undertaken by Court Reporters and noted a preference for transcription to occur close to where court reporting duties are performed.
Strategy Reform and Support confirmed that no changes are currently proposed to the core duties performed by Court Reporters. Work allocation and rostering arrangements will continue to be considered as part of the broader operating model review. Strategy Reform and Support advised that consultation had occurred with the Supreme Court and other relevant jurisdictions regarding the proposed relocation and that operational impacts would continue to be monitored. Strategy Reform and Support advised that Hospital Road was not considered a suitable option and that the proposed arrangements at Law Courts provide the most appropriate accommodation to support court reporting operations.
Relocation timing
The PSA sought clarification on the timeframe for the relocation. Activities are currently planned for late November 2026.
Casual workforce utilisation
The PSA raised concerns regarding the utilisation of casual employees and the potential impact on operational coverage and transcript production.
Strategy Reform and Support advised that casual employees will continue to be engaged where operationally required. It was clarified that the intent is not to reduce casual staffing levels, but to utilise casual resources more efficiently by aligning engagement to operational demand. SRS also advised that additional casual recruitment is currently being considered.
Workplace design and facilities
The PSA raised concerns regarding workplace facilities associated with the relocation, including toilet facilities, workstation arrangements, access to supervisors, desk allocations, storage capacity and noise impacts within dual remote monitoring areas.
Strategy Reform and Support advised that proposed occupancy levels comply with applicable workplace design requirements and that amenity ratios had been considered as part of the design process. It was noted that not all staff would be present on the floor at the same time.
The PSA raised concerns about the current standard of cleaning on Level 18 and highlighted the importance of maintaining appropriate cleanliness standards following the relocation. Strategy Reform and Support agreed to review cleaning arrangements.
PSA raised concerns regarding potential noise impacts on dual remote monitoring arrangements. Strategy Reform and Support advised that acoustic treatments form part of the workplace design and that measures are being incorporated to address acoustic requirements within the area.
The PSA also sought clarification regarding the proposed relocation of supervisors. Strategy Reform and Support advised that supervisors would remain accessible to staff within the operational area, despite the revised workspace layout.
Concerns were also raised regarding additional desks and workspace arrangements, including the potential impact on existing workstation setups and WHS requirements. Strategy Reform and Support confirmed that staff would retain allocated desks at Civic and that touchdown workspaces would be utilised separately to support operational requirements at court locations.
The PSA has made significant progress in the meal allowance dispute we lodged against the Department of Education.
The dispute concerns Clause 29.1.3 of the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Reviewed Award 2009. It provides for a lunch meal allowance when an employee travels at least 100 kilometres in a day and is more than 50 kilometres from their normal headquarters at the time of their lunch break.
For more background on the dispute, members can read our previous bulletin HERE
The PSA’s position is that:
Employees meeting the criteria in Award clause 29.1.3 for a lunch time meal allowance are entitled to be paid the allowance, irrespective of whether travel is regular and/or part of the normal duties of their role.
Lunch meal allowances must be paid if Award criteria are met.
Paying for lunch on a P-card does not meet the Award requirement; eligible employees are entitled to the allowance amount as published in Premiers Circular (C2026-04)
Department agrees to apply the award clause – meal allowances now payable
After the Department failed to admit the breach, the PSA notified a dispute and sought the assistance of the Industrial Relations Commission.
The parties appeared in the Commission for compulsory conciliation in mid-September 2026. The matter was not resolved in the first conciliation and was listed for report back/further conciliation.
The PSA continued to press our case and last week the Department has agreed to apply the award in accordance with the PSA’s interpretation effective from 12 October 2026.
This is a significant breakthrough in our dispute.
The Department later proposed prospective arrangements and backpay for affected employees. After reviewing the proposal, the PSA identified further potential breaches of Clause 29 and expanded the issues in dispute.
What’s next?
With the oversight of the Commission, the parties are continuing ‘without prejudice’ discussions. The PSA is seeking backpay for unpaid allowances and correction of the inaccurate advice to staff concerning their entitlement to allowances under the Award. The parties are still working through how backpay will be addressed.
The matter is listed for further conciliation in November 2026 to progress the outcomes sought with the option to return to the Industrial Relations Commission prior to that if required.
What should members do?
If you believe you should have been paid lunch meal allowances due to travelling 100kms or more for one-day work visits in your role, keep records of your authorised work-related travel and any meal allowance claims you have made, including denied claims.
The PSA will continue to keep members updated as the matter progresses.
Debate on the closure of Goulburn Correctional Centre Victorian era wings
A petition to keep the wings open, which has gained over 20,000 signatures, will be read out and debated this Thursday, 15 October at 4:00pm in Parliament House Sydney.
This decision has had a major impact on the staff at Goulburn and the surrounding community. Goulburn staff are hopeful that Thursday’s debate will demonstrate there is a future for the Victorian era wings to remain open and for the gaol to continue to be an important part of both the Goulburn Community and a benefit to Correctives Services NSW.
Debate details
Date:
Thursday 15 October 2026
Time:
4:00pm
Location:
Parliament House, Macquarie Street Sydney, or it can be watched live HERE
We encourage our members to view the debate live at this link HERE.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service: PSA South Coast branch site vists
The PSA’s Organiser, Kim de Govrik, will be visiting members at South Coast branches of NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service in October 2026.
Members are invited to come along and discuss industrial issues including recent award variations; TLR/Ranger role conversions and MyWorkZone, or talk about any individual matters that you may be experiencing.
We encourage non-members to attend and if they wish can join on the day.
What does the PSA do?
Advocates for, and protects your rights and entitlements as a Government employee.
Negotiates process in relation to your Award.
Provides journey insurance if you are injured on the way to and from work (the NSW Government took this ability to claim away in 2012. However, this protection is included in your membership of PSA).
Your union, the Public Service Association (PSA) warmly invites all Early Learning Commission (ELC) members to attend a member meeting on Tuesday, 27 October 2026. For your convenience the meeting will be held online.
The purpose of this meeting is to provide members with an opportunity to raise and discuss workplace concerns, issues, and priorities that you would like the PSA to bring forward at the upcoming PSA/ELC Quarterly Meeting.
This is an important opportunity for members to have their voices heard and to help shape the matters that will be raised with ELC management. We encourage all members to attend, share their experiences, and contribute to the discussion.
Your PSA Industrial officer Sharny Chalmers and Organiser Mel Ciraolo will be onsite at Parkline Place on Tuesday 20 October 2026.
Following Industrial Relations Commission proceedings regarding the dispute over the flexible working hours agreement, we will be holding a members’ meeting to provide an update.
Meeting details
Date:
Tuesday 20 October 2026
Time:
1:00pm –1:30pm
Location:
Large mediation meeting room, Level 2 Parkline Place, 252 Pitt Street, Sydney, or online via Teams
PSA Organiser Alex Sala will be visiting members at the Law Access office on Wednesday, 14 October.
Members are invited to drop by and have a chat about industrial issues, workplace concerns and any matters you may be experiencing at work.
What does the PSA do?
The PSA works to:
Advocate for and protect your rights and entitlements as a NSW Government employee.
Negotiate and advocate on matters affecting your working conditions.
Support members with workplace and industrial issues.
Provide a range of member benefits, including journey insurance. Following changes made by the NSW Government in 2012, this protection is available through PSA membership.
What can you do?
Display this bulletin on your workplace noticeboard.
Talk to your colleagues about the benefits of PSA membership.
Encourage a colleague to join the PSA.
Enrol in PSA training to build your workplace knowledge and skills.
Not a PSA member?
Come along and have a chat with Alex.
Non-members are very welcome to discuss the benefits of joining the PSA and find out how union membership can support you in your workplace.
PSA Organiser Alex Sala will be visiting members at the Legal Aid Parramatta office on Wednesday, 14 October.
Members are invited to drop by and have a chat about industrial issues, workplace concerns and any matters you may be experiencing at work.
What does the PSA do?
The PSA works to:
Advocate for and protect your rights and entitlements as a NSW Government employee.
Negotiate and advocate on matters affecting your working conditions.
Support members with workplace and industrial issues.
Provide a range of member benefits, including journey insurance. Following changes made by the NSW Government in 2012, this protection is available through PSA membership.
What can you do?
Display this bulletin on your workplace noticeboard.
Talk to your colleagues about the benefits of PSA membership.
Encourage a colleague to join the PSA.
Enrol in PSA training to build your workplace knowledge and skills.
Not a PSA member?
Come along and have a chat with Alex.
Non-members are very welcome to discuss the benefits of joining the PSA and find out how union membership can support you in your workplace.
Legal Aid Parramatta Justice Precinct: PSA site visit
PSA Organiser Alex Sala will be visiting members at the Legal Aid Parramatta Justice Precinct office on Wednesday, 14 October.
Members are invited to drop by and have a chat about industrial issues, workplace concerns and any matters you may be experiencing at work.
What does the PSA do?
The PSA works to:
Advocate for and protect your rights and entitlements as a NSW Government employee.
Negotiate and advocate on matters affecting your working conditions.
Support members with workplace and industrial issues.
Provide a range of member benefits, including journey insurance. Following changes made by the NSW Government in 2012, this protection is available through PSA membership.
What can you do?
Display this bulletin on your workplace noticeboard.
Talk to your colleagues about the benefits of PSA membership.
Encourage a colleague to join the PSA.
Enrol in PSA training to build your workplace knowledge and skills.
Not a PSA member?
Come along and have a chat with Alex.
Non-members are very welcome to discuss the benefits of joining the PSA and find out how union membership can support you in your workplace.
Your union. Your voice. Your rights.
Meeting details
Date:
Wednesday, 14 October 2026
Time:
9:45am – 10:45am
Location:
In kitchen area on level 1 Parramatta Justice Precinct, or online via Teams
PSA Organiser Alex Sala will be visiting members at the NSW Office for Youth office in Strawberry Hills on 13 October.
Please drop by and have a chat about industrial issues, workplace concerns and any issues you may be experiencing at work. We will also talk about the matters that we are currently working on.
What does the PSA do?
The PSA works to:
Advocate for and protect your rights and entitlements as a NSW Government employee.
Negotiate and advocate on matters affecting your working conditions.
Support members with workplace and industrial issues.
Provide a range of member benefits, including journey insurance. Following changes made by the NSW Government in 2012, this protection is available through PSA membership.
What can you do?
Display this bulletin on your workplace noticeboard.
Work together on how we can capture the work you do (to present your workload to management)
Talk to your colleagues about the benefits of PSA membership.
Encourage a colleague to join the PSA.
Enrol in PSA training to build your workplace knowledge and skills.
Not a PSA member?
Come along and have a chat with Alex, Anthony and with your workplace delegates.
Non-members are very welcome to discuss the benefits of joining the PSA and find out how union membership can support you in your workplace.
Meeting details
Date:
Tuesday, 13 October 2026
Time:
10:45am – 11:15am
Location:
NSW Office for Youth Kitchen room, or online via Teams
