Restructure in the Division of Education and Student Experience
Your union is aware of a major change proposal that was announced last Thursday 14 August 2025 in the Division of Education and Student Experience (DESE).
We note that the proposal outlines major impacts to 91 positions and minor impacts to 192 positions across the five portfolios within the DESE. The proposal also identifies a total of 170 new or current vacant roles to be made available to staff to apply for.
Consultation
Consultation has commenced and closes on Thursday, 28 August at 5:00pm. If you have feedback you would like the CPSU NSW to submit, de-identified, on your behalf please send this to quoting reference number 10009109 by close of business on Tuesday, 26 August.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact:
Shelley Odewahn Branch President
Liam O’Donoghue Branch Vice President
Your UNSW Branch Delegates are also here to assist with any workplace questions, provide advice and support, and advocate for your interests:
CPSU NSW members endorse 6.5 per cent, two-year pay deal with Serco
Members of the CPSU NSW have voted by a margin of 73-27 per cent in a union ballot to endorse a 6.5 per cent increase in pay over the next two years.
Year one of the package includes a 3.5 per cent increase in hourly pay rates and a top up in overtime loadings both backdated to 3 March 2025.
In year two members are set to receive a further 3 per cent increase in hourly rates from 3 March 2026 and a $500 (CCO2s) or $750 (CCO3s) one off retention bonus for continuing service.
Additionally, the offer includes a new enforceable higher duties clause for ad hoc acting arrangements, improved consultation on rostering and a company commitment to ethical conduct in all employment related matters.
Importantly the new deal was negotiated without trade-offs, and matches or improves on annual percentage increases in public sector wages in Corrective Services NSW over 2025-2026.
The CPSU NSW will now formally advise Serco the union endorses the company’s offer.
CPSU NSW Organisers Rebeca Reilly and Michael Smart will be on site tomorrow and Thursday to present the new package and take questions.
If you would like to know more, please contact the CPSU NSW on 1800 772 679, or call Thane Pearce on 0408 223 276 or Bec Reilly on 0419 980 503.
Registration date extended for General and Farm Assistants’ Regional Conferences
Do not miss this opportunity! The NSW Department of Education has extended the registration deadline to give more General Assistants (GAs) and Farm Assistants (FAs) the chance to participate in these important regional conferences.
New deadline: Friday, 22 August 2025 at 4:00pm
The Public Service Association (PSA) encourages all GAs and FAs to register for the upcoming regional conferences for a professional learning experience that has been years in the making.
Come and meet your PSA representatives who will attend each conference location. Central Councilor and General Assistant Bill Martin will be delivering keynote presentations at every conference, and current General Assistant Advisory Group Delegate Wade Appleby will also be present at all locations to personally address your workplace health and safety questions.
Working closely with the General Assistant Advisory Group and Farm Assistants, we have collectively advocated relentlessly to bring you specialised, face-to-face professional development tailored exclusively for GA and FA positions. Through our advocacy with the Department of Education (DoE), a comprehensive statewide conference series that delivers practical, relevant, and applicant content has been created.
Conference details have been distributed to all Principals and DELs, featured in the Staff Noticeboard, and posted in the Learning Centre.
Why this matters
This comprehensive professional development day offers you the opportunity to:
Learn from industry experts with specialised knowledge in your field
Connect and collaborate with fellow GAs and FAs who face similar challenges
Acquire practical tools and strategies to enhance your effectiveness and workplace satisfaction
Champion the importance of ongoing professional development for regional GAs and FAs.
Essential topics
Mental health and wellbeing support
Digital PDP (Performance and Development Plans) navigation
Pay, leave, and employment conditions
Aware Super information and guidance
Workplace health and safety protocols
Introduction to pesticide mixing procedures.
Conference schedule and locations
Batemans Bay Tuesday, 30 September 2025
Wagga Wagga Thursday, 2 October 2025
Grafton Wednesday, 8 October 2025
Tamworth Thursday, 9 October 2025
Daily Schedule
Registration opens 7:30am
Sessions run 8:00am-3:30pm
These conferences represent a significant achievement. They have been developed by your union representatives and the DoE who recognise your expertise, understand your challenges, and are committed to amplifying your professional voice.
Let us make this a powerful statement of unity. Help us fill every seat to demonstrate the strength of our regional GA and FA community and underscore the critical importance of professional development in regional areas.
Service NSW Departmental Committee — meeting summary
The Service NSW Departmental Committee (SNSW DC) recently met in July 2025 to discuss ongoing workplace matters, delegate updates, and plan future actions around industrial concerns.
At the meeting, Robbie Gratton was endorsed as Assistant Secretary, and Kylie Sorensen as Vice Chair. Both nominations were unopposed and formally adopted. Edwin Garland, representing Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM), was also endorsed to fill a casual delegate vacancy in Electorate 1 – Sydney Metro. This followed the formal inclusion of BDM under the Service NSW DC Charter.
This means that the Service NSW delegate positions now are:
Chairperson – Kieren Streat – Sydney Metro electorate
Vice Chair – Kylie Sorensen- Hunter electorate
Secretary – Will Thomson – Sydney Metro electorate
There are delegate vacancies in the following electorates:
Sydney Metro – three delegate vacancies
Hunter – two delegate vacancies
Central West – one delegate vacancies
Combined North West/ South West – one delegate vacancy
If you are a PSA member in one of these electorates and are interested in becoming a delegate, please contact PSA organiser Trina Leask at to learn more.
Occupational Violence at Service NSW
The Committee endorsed the launch of a campaign targeting occupational violence and psychosocial safety. This decision follows ongoing reports of customer aggression and insufficient security across Service NSW locations. A draft campaign plan and member survey will be developed in the coming month to address these concerns and advocate for improved frontline protections.
Overtime – Rounding Rule
Delegates were also briefed on recent legal advice regarding overtime entitlements. Members can access the latest update on the Overtime Rounding Rule HERE
Get Involved
If you’d like to get involved with the PSA, or support your local workplace as a delegate, contact your local PSA delegate or organiser today.
NSW Crime Commission: workplace contact vacancy and send us your feedback
The Public Service Association (PSA) is seeking a union workplace contact. This is a crucial role for improving our workplace representation. The person chosen will be provided with training by the PSA.
What your union is looking for
Someone passionate about workplace rights
Willing to undergo PSA-provided training
Able to act as a liaison between employees and union representatives
Can help distribute important information to colleagues
We want your feedback!
Your voice matters. We want to hear from you about how we can better represent your interests and concerns.
Please share your thoughts on how the union can better support you in the workplace. Your feedback will help shape our priorities and initiatives.
How to get involved
Express your interest in becoming a workplace contact
Provide feedback on current representation
Suggest improvements for union communication and support
Share specific workplace concerns you’d like addressed.
Contact Kim Villanti PSA Organiser, to express interest or provide feedback.
Together, we can build stronger workplace representation that truly addresses your needs.
Stronger together!
The PSA CPSU NSW has more than 125 years of proud history. You stand on the shoulders of more than 40,000 members who know we are stronger together.
PSA secures extended consultation for Education Support Staff restructures in Finance, Chief Audit Office and Service Experience
The Public Service Association (PSA) is continuing to support members in Education Support Staff (ESS) areas who face organisational change. We understand that change brings uncertainty and the Department is required to provide clear, relevant, and timely information to impacted employees and facilitate genuine consultation with staff and the union.
The PSA can advise we have been provided with the change plans for the recently announced Finance (Phase 2), Service Experience (Sx) and Audit Office restructures including current and proposed org charts and tables of impacted roles. The PSA met with the Finance directorate last week to be briefed on the plans and has arranged similar meetings for the other realignments.
Consultation extension
The PSA has secured extended consultation (for staff and the PSA) to provide feedback on the proposal(s) for Finance to 26 August 2025 and for Audit and Service Experience to 28 August2025.
Genuine and ongoing consultation with the union
It is vitally important that members provide detailed feedback throughout the consultation period. We strongly recommend that impacted members attend meetings and information sessions and provide detailed feedback on the proposals in your area.
You are subject matter experts concerning workflow, work delivery, and workload, as well as understanding role grades and role descriptions in your respective work areas and you can provide valuable information to influence the outcome of these proposals.
Genuine consultation means that all feedback (from staff and the PSA) must be considered and has the potential to influence the final change plan(s) and the new structure. We can report that the pause on phase one of the Finance restructure (first launched in February 2025) was due to the extensive feedback provided, causing the department to re-think the original proposal and now we are in phase two, which will see an expansion of FTE roles.
Next steps and member meetings
The PSA will continue to advocate for the interests and wellbeing of its ESS members, well past the consultation on the initial proposal. We will be provided with a report from each directorate once feedback is consolidated and before plans are finalised.
The PSA has scheduled member meetings at Eveleigh and Parramatta and welcomes your feedback including identifying any information gaps which we will communicate to the department.
We also remind members that you can contact the PSA Member Support Centre (MSC). The MSC can record your feedback and/or you may seek individual advice and support for your circumstances.
Feedback is best submitted directly to the consultation email for your restructure.
If you wish to notify the PSA of submissions you have made email with “Audit”, “Service Experience” or “Finance” in the subject line.
‘Guidance’ on Flexible Work: Dispute continues as Legal Aid reveal its true intentions
Unfortunately, the Dispute with Legal Aid continues. We are disappointed to report that, rather than progress being made, Legal Aid has decided to escalate this Dispute.
In our last update to members, we reported that, “The guidance refers to attending their principal place of work a minimum of 60 per cent of their working time, this is a guide and not a mandated requirement.”
Legal Aid has now decided that 60 per cent of attendance at a workplace is required.
Apart from the fact that this is a clear “about face” from Legal Aid, this is an insult to members and Delegates who acted in good faith during the consultation about the Flexible Work Policy.
Given this backflip by Legal Aid how can members trust that your individual circumstances are taken into account?
Why is Legal Aid so insistent on forcing members to attend an office location for 60 per cent of the time when other NSW Government Departments such as the Department of Communities and Justice require no more than a maximum of 50 per cent attendance?
The “Guidance” does not change or override the Flexible Work Policy and members should apply for individual arrangements that suit your individual circumstances without regard to the Guidance document.
The PSA will support all members who have flexible work arrangements denied to them by Legal Aid because of the Guidance document including, where necessary, seeking assistance of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission.
Next steps
We call on Legal Aid to withdraw the Guidance document.
We further call on Legal Aid to cease any changes to members’ current working pattern until this dispute is resolved.
A meeting with Senior Officers of Legal Aid, your elected Delegates and PSA staff will be held before the end of the week to try and resolve this Dispute.
Members will be further updated on progress next Monday.
Create NSW: Meeting on the proposed Change Management Plan
Please join your PSA Senior Industrial Officer, Organiser and Delegates for ongoing discussion and updates, on the proposed restructure and impact to staff.
Your PSA delegates and staff will be in attendance to assist members with any issues and concerns.
If you know any non-members’ who would like to join your union, please invite them to attend.
Members are encouraged to send any agenda items that they would like discussed
Details
Date 19 August 2025 Time 2:30pm-3:30pm Location 80 George GF-CreativeHubLarge-30
If you are onsite, please join us in person, or use the link below to join on Teams. Join the meeting here Meeting ID 427 136 951 661 Passcode c8fN2ZM9
PSA Organiser Rachel Eldred will be coming to the Strawberry Hills Office to meet with members. She will be joined by your local Delegate John Grusovin.
The meeting is an opportunity for members to ask questions, share concerns and receive an update from the PSA about current issues such as your Flexible Working Hours Agreement.
Non-members are welcome and can join up on the day.
Details
Date Wednesday 20 August 2025 Time 12:00pm-1:00pm Location Meeting Room 1 – Ground Floor Strawberry Hills
The meeting will also be conducted via Microsoft Teams using THIS LINK
It pays to be union: Use your member discount to see the Commbank Socceroos
Members of the PSA CPSU NSW can get discounts of up to 20 per cent for the upcoming international football match in Canberra between Australia and New Zealand, both of which have qualified for next year’s World Cup.
To get the discount to see the Commbank Socceroos take on the All Whites on 5 September 2025, use THIS LINK. It will automatically apply your discounts.
The link will provide members with a 20 per cent discount on Platinum and Category 1 tickets and 10 per cent off the remaining categories.
Don’t miss your last day to register for GA/FA Regional Conferences
The Public Service Association (PSA) encourages all General Assistants (GAs) and Farm Assistants (FAs) to register for the upcoming regional conferences for a professional learning experience that has been years in the making.
Come and meet your PSA representatives who will attend each conference location. Central Councilor and General Assistant Bill Martin will be delivering keynote presentations at every conference, and current General Assistant Advisory Group Delegate Wade Appleby will also be present at all locations to personally address your workplace health and safety questions.
Working closely with the General Assistant Advisory Group and Farm Assistants, we have collectively advocated relentlessly to bring you specialised, face-to-face professional development tailored exclusively for GA/FA positions. Through our advocacy with the Department of Education, a comprehensive state-wide conference series that delivers practical, relevant, and applicant content has been created.
Conference details have been distributed to all Principals and DELs, featured in the Staff Noticeboard, and posted in the Learning Centre.
Why This Matters
This comprehensive professional development day offers you the opportunity to:
Learn from industry experts with specialised knowledge in your field
Connect and collaborate with fellow GAs and FAs who face similar challenges
Acquire practical tools and strategies to enhance your effectiveness and workplace satisfaction
Champion the importance of ongoing professional development for regional GAs and FAs.
Essential Topics Include:
Mental health and wellbeing support
Digital PDP (Performance and Development Plans) navigation
Pay, leave, and employment conditions
Aware Super information and guidance
Workplace health and safety protocols
Introduction to pesticide mixing procedures
Conference Schedule & Locations:
Batemans Bay Tuesday, 30 September 2025
Wagga Wagga Thursday, 2 October 2025
Grafton Wednesday, 8 October 2025
Tamworth Thursday, 9 October 2025
Daily Schedule Registration opens 7:30 AM | Sessions run 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Register via MyPLHEREThen type in GA/FA Conferences
Important – Registrations close Monday, 18 August 2025
This conference represents a significant achievement – developed by your union representatives and NSW DoE who recognise your expertise, understand your challenges, and are committed to amplifying your professional voice.
Let’s make this a powerful statement of unity. Help us fill every seat to demonstrate the strength of our regional GA and FA community and underscore the critical importance of professional development in regional areas.
Managers from Early Childhood Education and Care Regulatory Authority PSA member meeting
Your PSA representatives and delegates warmly invite all managers from ECECRA to attend an online member meeting scheduled for Thursday, 21 August 2025.
This meeting will provide a crucial platform to collectively discuss, share, and raise concerns.
We strongly encourage all PSA members to take part in this important meeting. Your insights, experiences, and perspectives are invaluable to our collective efforts. We genuinely want to hear from you about what is happening within your specific area.
