Transport for NSW Operational Model Member Meetings
The PSA will be holding members meetings early next week, for the branches that have undertaken consultation on their “detailed design” this week. The member meetings will be held over Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week. Please see details below of the meeting for your specific branch.
RMR – Operational Performance and Improvement Branch
We welcome and congratulate the election of your CSO PSA Delegates, who were elected at the July 2025 PSA member’s meeting. We will be working closely with your delegates to organise Member meetings. Our work will also focus on recruitment of new members to build Union strength as we negotiate with CSO around improved conditions.
Your Delegates
Sonya Eliopulos
Elyse McGee
Jennifer Allister
Michael Siciliano
Zarina Braybrooke
Mischa Davenport
PSA Staff
Vivette Horrex Organiser
Chris Auld Senior Organiser
Sharny Chalmers Industrial Officer
How to contact us:
Contact our Member Support Centre (MSC). Either call 1800 772 679 or email . If necessary, enquiries will be followed up by our Team.
For any membership enquiries please contact .
To see the full range of member benefits visit our website www.psa.asn.au
Reminder to vote in PSA Ballot concerning the Rostered Leave Days on Public Holidays Dispute
Members are reminded, if they have not already to vote in our ballot concerning the proposed settled position in the Recurrent Leave Day on Public Holidays dispute. Members can be read more about this dispute in the previous bulletin we sent out HERE.
Voting will close very shortly, members are encouraged to vote by using the following link Vote Here
Call for Nominations: NSW Department of Education – Education Support Staff Departmental Committee
Nominations are called for positions on the NSW Department of Education – Education Support Staff Departmental Committee.
Each nomination must be seconded by two other members in the same electorate as the nominee. The call for nominations is as follows:
14 Delegates Required
Electorate Name
PSA Region
Delegates Required
Electorate 1
Sydney Metropolitan 1
(Includes Public Schools, Office of the Secretary, Early Childhood Outcomes, Operations Group)
4
Electorate 2
Sydney Metropolitan 2
(Including People Group, Education Skills Reform, School Infrastructure NSW, Teaching Learning & Student Wellbeing. Training Services NSW)
4
Electorate 3
North Coast (PSA Lismore Office) and North West (PSA Tamworth Office)
1
Electorate 4
South East (PSA Wollongong Office) and South West (PSA Wagga Office)
1
Electorate 5
Central West (PSA Bathurst Office)
1
Electorate 6
Newcastle/Central Coast (PSA Newcastle Office)
1
Electorate 7
Early Childhood Education Regulatory Authority
2
Nominations and Closing Date
Nominees, nominators, and seconders must be financial members of the Association as of Thursday, 18 September 2025.
Nominations must be submitted via Survey Monkey Here
Nominations close 5:00pm Wednesday, 8 October 2025. Forms must be completed via Survey Monkey by 5pm on Wednesday 8 October 2025.
If there is a ballot, candidates who wish to have a profile available for voters to read should provide a brief statement of 300 words or less stating how they will best represent members’ interests.
Space is provided for this purpose on the form available through Survey Monkey.
Chris Colosi
for Kerrie Butson Deputy Returning Officer
The PSA has raised with management the growing issue of members forfeiting flex hours because they are unable to take their accrued flex leave within the settlement period.
To address this, the PSA is seeking to improve conditions around forfeiting flex leave.
This may include:
A clear outline of provisions to reduce the amount of forfeited flex, and/or
Ensure staff are fairly remunerated when they are unable to use accumulated flex leave that would otherwise be forfeited.
To assist the PSA in obtaining accurate information about how forfeited flex effects members, we ask that you take 5 minutes to complete the survey (link below).
The information collected will be used to inform our proposal, and following consultation with Sheriff’s Officers Vocational Branch Advisory Group (SOVBAG) delegates, the PSA will forward a draft proposal to the Sheriff’s Office for consideration.
Your feedback is essential in ensuring this issue is resolved in a way that reflects the experience of members across the state.
Please be assured that all information collected will remain anonymous.
This is an important step in ensuring members’ hard-earned time is respected and protected. The PSA is committed to finding a solution that benefits staff across all regions and roles.
We will keep members updated as consultation progresses. Fill out survey HERE
Your union is standing up for fair and flexible working arrangements.
The PSA will be holding a members’ meeting online, on Wednesday 24 September 2025.
This is an opportunity for members to meet with your PSA Industrial Officer Xanthe Thomson, Organiser Mel Ciraolo and delegates for the Functional Review update.
The PSA also has an extension for feedback until Wednesday 24 September 2025.
Rural Fire Service: do you know about excess travel entitlements?
Excess Travel– Entitlements
Under Clause 27 of the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Reviewed Award 2009, an employee who is directed to travel on official business outside of normal hours of duty will be compensated in accordance with the below formula or by taking equivalent time off in lieu.
These provisions only apply to situations outside of Major Incident Overtime Conditions. Travel for these incidents is to be in line with Clause 15 of the Crown Employees (Rural Fire Service) Award.
Excess Travel Formula:
For purposes of excess travel clause 7.9 of the Crown Employees (Rural Fire Service) Award applies: ‘Overtime is all time approved or directed to be worked before 7.30am or after 6.00pm on a normal workday between Monday to Friday, or on weekends and public holidays at the direction of the Commissioner.’
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible for Excess Travel if:
You were directed by your Department Head (or delegate) to travel on official business outside your usual working hours to perform duty at a location other than your normal headquarters.
Travel was outside of the bandwidth as identified in Clause 7.9 of the Crown Employees (Rural Fire Service) Award
Travel was outside your usual working hours (for working days).
OR was on a non-working day (Saturday, Sunday or Public Holiday)
The period of extra travel must be more than 30 minutes on any one day to qualify.
Exclusions:
Exclusions under 27.3 of the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Reviewed Award 2009 apply, specifically:
Travel is not your normal commute from home to HQ.
Not travel where less than 30 minutes excess on any one day.
Not travel associated with transfer if you had special leave.
Not travel time between 11:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. if sleeping facilities were provided.
Travel must be by the most practical and direct route.
Not working on a ship where accommodation and meals were provided.
Not if your salary includes an “all incidents of employment” component.
Not time within your flex-time bandwidth (if you have flex-time arrangements).
Not for overseas travel.
Example Scenarios
Staff member flying to Sydney for a meeting
Normal start time: 9:00 AM.
Flight departure: 6:30 AM.
Return home: 5:00 PM.
Eligible claims:
Excess Travel applies from 06:30am to 07:30am
Staff member travelling for training
Staff member must be at the State Training Academy for a training event.
Staff member must leave home at 06:00am to be at the Academy prior to training event
Eligible claims:
Staff is eligible for excess travel between 06:00am and 07:30am
Staff member returning home from training
Staff member must be at the State Training Academy for a training event.
Staff member leaves academy and returns home at 06:45pm
Eligible Claims:
Excess travel not applicable as travel is under 30 mins
Claiming Excess Travel
To claim your Excess Travel:
Ensure appropriate approval for excess travel is received prior to travel
Complete Excess Travel Claim
SAP → Employee Services→ Overtime & Attendance Request→ Select Excess Travel Time from drop down
Annualised Conditions Allowance Recipients
The Crown Employees (Rural Fire Service) Award 2016 allows for members to receive an Annualised Conditions Allowance, of which some staff may receive an Excess Travel component should confirm the hours of excess travel required as part of their component. Neither the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Reviewed Award 2009 or the NSW Rural Fire Services P3.2.3 Annualised Conditions Allowance outline the Excess Travel Component.
Further Assistance
Please contact your Area Command People and Business Team or Member Services
If you still have questions, please contact your local Delegate or the PSA direct on 1800 772 679.
Contacts
PSA staff
Michael Sinclair Industrial Officer
Graydon Plumridge Organiser
RFS departmental committee delegates
Chair
Jim Killen
Vice Chair
Ivan Perkins
Secretary
Cameron Gray
Vice Secretary
John Osmond
Delegates
Ben Plummer
Bruce Hansen
Lindsey Flynn
Brenton Pumpa
Cameron Gray
Guy Duckworth
Daniel Ainsworth
David Millsteed
Scott Hoy
Tim Allen
Brad Stewart
Adrian May
Parliament NSW Department Staff: members meeting notice
The PSA will be holding a members’ meeting to allow members to raise concern or questions you may have and to allow us to gather agenda items for discussion at the upcoming Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting with management.
This is an opportunity for members and non-members to meet with your PSA organsier and delegates to learn about the role of the PSA in your workplace and discuss how your union can best support your workplace.
Members are encouraged to send any agenda items that they would like discussed to
If you know any non-members’ that would like to learn more about your union, invite them to attend.
Member’s Meeting Details:
If you are onsite, please join us in person, or use the link below to join on Teams.
Following a briefing to the PSA Assistant General Secretary Troy Wright by the Minister for Tourism and CEO Destination NSW on the 16 September 2025, the CEO of Destination NSW and Chief People Officer Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport (DCITHS) briefed PSA staff and delegates concerning a proposed restructure on 17 September 2025.
DCITHS also wrote to the PSA in relation to the above briefing outlining the upcoming consultation of the Destination NSW proposed organisational restructure, and commencement of the consultation period on 18 September 2025.
The department also provided a copy of the following documents for reference:
Proposed Change Management Plan – Destination NSW SEE HERE
Employee Consultation Pack – Destination NSW SEE HERE
These documents provide a summary of the upcoming consultation with the PSA in relation to this matter. The consultation period with staff and unions will commence at 1:30pm on 18 September 2025 and will conclude at 5:00pm on 2 October 2025, providing a two-week consultation timeframe. Fortnightly consultation meeting will occur through to 15 December.
Current position:
Town Hall meeting of Destination staff 1.45pm 18 September 2025.
PSA meeting, AGS, Staff and Delegates 12.30 23 September 2025.
A meeting of members will also be scheduled on a date to be advised via PSA member meeting notice.
The PSA will be providing feedback on behalf of members by 18 September 2025. Members who have feedback or concerns please forward to or 1800 772 679 please quote case ID C10004757 by cob 17 September.
University of Technology Sydney: We want your feedback
Academic Change Plan
In light of the release of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Academic Change Plan as part of the Operational Sustainability Initiative (OSI) yesterday, we invite members to submit any feedback, thoughts and concerns with what has been proposed across the 9 documents released, as it is indicated that this will inform what the future change plans for professional staff will look like.
The CPSU NSW will be meeting with the Vice-Chancellor about the change plans on Tuesday, September 23.
We want to also raise your feedback on the proposals and on any issues to date with the OSI in this meeting. Please contact your branch delegates or CPSU NSW Industrial Staff should you wish to submit any feedback that you would like raised at this meeting.
Otherwise, consultation for the change plan closes at 5:00pm on Wednesday October 15. If you have feedback that you would like the CPSU NSW to submit, de-identified, on your behalf please send this to quoting reference number C10010260 by close of business Monday 13 October 2025.
Should you have any further questions or issues you would like to discuss, please do not hesitate to contact:
Andreas Dalman Branch President
Greg Hampshire Branch Secretary
Your UTS Branch Delegates are also here to assist with any workplace questions, provide advice and support, and advocate for your interests:
Mercer CPSU NSW member meeting and next Joint Consultative Committee meeting
Your Mercer CPSU NSW team will be holding a meeting for Mercer members in the lead up to the 3rd Joint Consultative Committee meeting with Mercer on 30 September 2025.
Member feedback and input
We are holding a Teams meeting to run through questions or concerns and gather feedback on issues you would like raised.
Meeting Agenda
Return to Office
General Business
Meeting Details
Date Tuesday 23 September 2025
Time 12:30pm-1:30pm
Members working remotely can join the meeting via the link below:
Update from the General Assistants Advisory Group’s first meeting
Your newly formed General Assistant Advisory Group met at PSA House on Wednesday 3 September. The group came together and discussed issues relating to General Assistants (GAs) and Farm Assistants (FAs).
The first item on the agenda, however, was to form the General Advisory Group Executive. Please see your contacts below:
Chairperson
Wade Appleby
Colo High School
Electorate 1 – Sydney Metro
Vice Chairperson
Jessica Trudgett
Nowra High School
Electorate 6 – South West
Secretary
Hayden Berry
Barramurra Public School
Electorate 1 – Sydney Metro
Assistant Secretary
Shaun Matheson
Blairmount Public School
Electorate 7 – South East
Women’s Officer
Fiona Doherty
Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre
Electorate 1 – Sydney Metro
Delegate
Matthew Danks
Casino High School
Electorate 4 – North West
Workers’ compensation
With the ever-changing requirements to claim and maintain workers’ compensation, your Delegates would like to remind all General and Farm Assistants the PSA is here to help you through this process. Once you have submitted a claim, please call the Member Support Centre and provide them the details.
Contacting us at the start of your claim will ensure you get the best advice and support to get you back to work quickly and safely. It also provides the PSA accurate data as to what injuries are occurring within the Department of Education, so that a list of common injuries can be compiled by the PSA that we can follow up through various Departmental meetings.
For privacy reasons, your names and schools are not shared with Delegates. All that is recorded is the nature of your injury, which can be used to track commonly occurring injuries.
General Assistants driving buses
The Advisory Group is aware GAs are being asked to drive buses. We remind GAs this is outside of your role description and any decision to do so would be out of good will. With that in mind, your manager should be conscious of your workload and working times and ensure you are paid (or forwarded time-in-leu) for any time additional time worked due to your driving buses.
Since speaking to members and Delegates about this issue we have been told this is the new and latest gap schools are being asked to cover. The hiring of buses is no longer a viable option for many schools since the privatisation of the NSW bus network and the COVID pandemic sending many bus companies broke, particularly in regional NSW. We want students to be able to enjoy the adventure and learning opportunities excursions offer but are concerned that once again GAs are expected to pick up the slack without proper consideration and guidance from the Department.
Changes to GA staffing allocation
The GA Advisory Group has always advocated for increases to the GA staffing entitlement under the formula due to workload. Most recently, this was raised with Secretary of the NSW Department of Education, Murat Dizdar in early 2025. Mr Dizdar committed to a review of the staffing entitlement. However, the increase could only be managed through existing funding, there was no new money. The Department consulted with the union over their proposal, and took on board several suggestions of delegates.
It’s important to remember the changes being implemented are a departmental decision. While there are some positives, the PSA and General Assistant Advisory Group don’t believe they go far enough and significant workload challenges will remain for GAs and schools. We are aware of this and will continue to raise these concerns with the Department as implementation progresses.
We need your input
Throughout the implementation of this new staffing entitlement methodology, please call the Member Support Centre on 1800 772 679 to report any issues.
Continuing the campaign for better pay and conditions for General Assistants
The PSA, along with your representatives will continue to work on how we can improve conditions and pay for GAs. The Department has reached out to the PSA for our position on updating the GA role description. It has long been the position of the union that GAs, some of the lowest paid staff members in the public service, deserve a pay uplift.
How can you help?
Please ensure your membership details are up to date so you receive our communications. Ensure your payment details are up to date and promote your union to other GAs and FAs!
In coming months, the Advisory Group will be requesting information from you via surveys. The more replies we receive, the better we can represent you, the membership, so please take the time to answer these surveys.
United we stand, divided we beg
Retiring General and Farm Assistants
A shout out to all retiring GAs and FAs, you may be finishing your working life, but you do not need to finish your union life! Think about joining the committee for retired PSA members at a discounted membership fee, while maintaining access to a vast number of member benefits.
You can find out more about the Retired Associates Branch by clicking HERE, emailing or by calling the Member Support Centre.
Delegates
Wade Appleby
Jessica Trudgett
Hayden Berry
Shaun Matheson
Fiona Doherty
Matthew Danks
PSA Contacts
Member Support Centre
1800 722 679
Amy Lennox Industrial Officer
Peta Noke Organiser
Yours in union,
Hayden Berry
Secretary
General Assistants Advisory Group
