Update on Helpline and Domestic Violence Line dispute
As you may be aware, your union, the PSA, raised a dispute with the Department regarding its expectation of the Helpline and Domestic Violence (DV) Line returning to the office ‘principally‘. This would mean attending the Liverpool office, or a local Community Services Centre if you are a regional Helpline Caseworker, at least 50 per cent of your shifts.
The Department provided the PSA with its operational grounds to bring staff back into the Liverpool office by 6 June 2025. You can view a copy of that HERE.
The only additional information provided in the correspondence was around the wellbeing of staff. We are acutely aware of the difficulties of the work the Helpline and DV Line are involved in, and wellbeing is of paramount importance. Members have advised however that structures, strategies and supports for their wellbeing are already in place and these already existing structure often offer better support when members are working remotely than in the office.
We had a further conciliation on Tuesday 17 June 2025, where staff wellbeing was discussed. The Department has maintained its position, however, that staff are to return 50 per cent of their shifts with staff able to request individual arrangements for ‘defined periods and regularly reviewed’.
On Tuesday 24 June 2025, we are back in the Industrial Relations Commission for a report back with a possible way forward. When we have the details, we will communicate with members as to next steps.
Do you work on the front lines of Child Protection in the Western Sydney and Nepean Blue Mountains District?
Save the date!
Your union, the PSA, will visit Mount Druitt Community Services Centre on Wednesday 25 June 2025 between 12:00pm and 1:00pm.
Organiser Amy Lennox, Senior Organiser Belinda Tsirekas and Industrial Officer Graydon Welsh will be on hand to discuss current issues affecting members and provide an update on the ongoing Child Protection in Crisis Campaign. We will also discuss the PSA win reclassifying Grade 3 Caseworkers to Grade 4 and the new Child Protection Workforce Award.
Come in person or join online.
Details
Date Wednesday 25 June 2025 Time 12:00pm-1:00pm Location Mount Druitt Community Services Centre
Members can also join online via Microsoft Teams using THIS LINK. Meeting ID 453 520 565 808 4 Passcode eB2WH723
Workload Planner guidance
The PSA will also be running a Workload Planner Lunch & Learn session via MS Teams and in person whilst visiting the Mount Druitt Community Services Centre.
The Workload Planner (WLP) can assist you in setting boundaries and prioritising your workload. It gives you tools to say “No” to work you simply do not have the hours to complete. The current WLP is easier to use than you might think, and we urge you to put it into action because the fact remains – if it’s not measurable, it’s not manageable.
The WLP gives the PSA, and Manger Client Services, Directors and Executive District Director, evidence to clearly demonstrate that there are not enough workers to meet the workload.
We will also be discussing member benefits such as personal journey insurance, Union Shopper discounts, free ambulance cover and free will service.
Non-members are welcome to attend and have a chat about the benefits of joining the PSA.
It was great to see such a great turn out at the most recent coffee cart in May. It gave PSA staff the chance to catch up with many of our valued members who joined us on the day.
The PSA would like to invite all members who work out of 4 and 6 Parramatta Square to come down and have a free coffee, tea, or hot chocolate on us. PSA staff, that represent a wide range of agencies, will be on hand to discuss any issues or concerns you may have.
A representative from WageCover will be in attendance to talk to members.
Details
Date Tuesday 24 June 2025 Time 9:30am-11:00am Location Chambers Fine Coffee, 1 Parramatta Square Parramatta.
Chambers is adjacent to Western Sydney University entrance off the Square, diagonally across from 4 and 6 PSQ
Coffee will be free for PSA members. We are more than happy to talk to people interested in joining the PSA, too.
Bring a colleague along with you and come and say hello.
The CPSU NSW would like to invite all members who work at Wollongong TAFE to come and have a free coffee, tea, or hot chocolate on us.
This will give you the opportunity to have conversations with fellow members and delegates in an informal setting. CPSU NSW staff will be on hand to discuss any issues or concerns you may have.
Details
Date Wednesday 25 June 2025 Time 1:00pm-3:00pm Location TAFE Canteen, Foleys Road North Wollongong
Coffee will be free for CPSU NSW members. We are more than happy to talk to people interested in joining the CPSU NSW, too. Bring a colleague along with you and come and say hello.
Life Without Barriers: Clarification on long service leave entitlements
Members have advised the union that Life Without Barriers (LWB) management, in some cases, have advised members that the transition to the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHADs Award) from the copied state award on 6 September 2022 means there is a break in service for the purpose of calculating long service leave.
This is not correct.
Your union has contacted LWB to confirm there is no break in service due to the transition to the SCHADs Award. Rather, long service leave is calculated based on when you began as a disability support worker with Ageing, Disability and Home Care NSW.
For members who were never on the copied state award, service is calculated from when you began your employment with LWB.
Members can contact the union if they are uncertain about their individual entitlements.
Bargaining representative of the CPSU NSW and Serco Australia will recommence negotiations on Thursday, following a staff ballot that comprehensively (190-7) rejected the company’s pay offer to Correctional Officers.
The CPSU NSW bargaining team acknowledges the ballot result and welcomes the opportunity to reopen discussions with the company.
In doing so, we note the difference between our offer-of-settlement and the company’s position is relatively minimal. In good faith, we will reiterate at tomorrow’s meeting that our offer remains current and the best avenue for a swift and amicable resolution of bargaining.
For more information, contact one of your CPSU NSW representatives at work:
Mark Bathgate
Keri Parbery
Craig Dennis
Kody Richards
Luke Binskin
Our industrial team can be reached on 1800 772 679. Please ask to speak with Tom Whitton, Michael Smart, Rebecca Reilly or Thane Pearce. Thane can be contacted on 0408 223 276 for any urgent inquiries.
As you will have seen the Administrative, Support and Related Employees Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027 has finally been completed and is currently in the access period.
The CPSU NSW have endorsed the proposed Agreement and recommend that you:
Vote Yes!
The Voting will be done by CorpVote and you should have already received the details. Voting begins Thursday 19 June 2025 and closes 5:00pm Wednesday 25 June 2025 so get voting!
The CPSU NSW pushed for you to have the same pay rise as the public service as you deserve, not less as was first proposed. This is a major win by your union, for you.
If you have any questions about the proposed Enterprise Agreement, get in touch with your local delegate or contact CPSU NSW Member Support Centre on 1800 772 679.
The Prison Officers Vocational Branch (POVB) acknowledges recent media reports referring to the NSW Police Force as a “prisoner taxi service” and asserting inmate transportation responsibilities should lie with Correctional Officers.
The PSA and POVB recognise the challenges faced by NSW Police, including the strain of limited resources. However, as your union, we feel it is vital to reaffirm that, under the Bail Act, legal custody remains with the NSW Police until individuals are formally transferred into the correctional system.
Our members are aware correctional locations across NSW continue to operate under acute pressure due to chronic daily staffing shortages and mounting safety risks. We know you are being pushed to your limits, resulting in dangerously unsustainable workloads and an unprecedented rise in mental health concerns across the workforce. Morale is at an all-time low.
Like the Police, Prison Officers have reached breaking point. We are overworked, burnt out, and deeply concerned about the ongoing core issues in recruitment, retention and operational support for our members.
We are sick and tired of constant policy changes which negatively affect daily operations and frontline procedures. Multiple organisations outside of corrections are now dictating how we operate. These same organisations are seemingly more concerned about the inmate welfare rather than victims of the offence perpetrated by the inmates. The safety of our members is being eroded because inmates are being empowered by the interference of these outside organisations.
Despite these conditions, the POVB remains committed to constructive collaboration with NSW Police and the broader justice system. We are open to exploring reforms, including the assumption of responsibilities for managing Audio Visual Link (AVL) facilities and providing custody services in all Police Charge Rooms across the state.
Such a model would require changes to responsibilities and funding. Any changes would require Correctional Officers to oversee custody operations from the point of arrest through to transport and court appearances. However, these changes are entirely contingent upon the urgent and sustained provision of adequate resources: increased staffing, appropriate funding, and access to essential equipment. Without these, such responsibilities cannot be safely or effectively assumed.
The PSA and POVB call on the NSW Government to act with urgency, commitment, and investment to support both Correctional and Police Services and to address this crisis before more serious consequences arise.
Yours in union,
David Bartle
Industrial Manager
Public Service Association of NSW
Register your interest to celebrate 95 years of our Women’s Council at Women’s Conference 2025
The 2025 PSA CPSU NSW Women’s Conference is being held on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 September at PSA House in Sydney.
The Conference will connect women members from across the state and from all employers.
This year’s theme is 95 Years Strong.
This important event has special significance this year as we celebrate the 95-year history of the PSA CPSU NSW Women’s Council.
Conference is a fantastic opportunity for both new and experienced Delegates to come together to celebrate the achievements of women in the union. We will mark all they have done collectively to build fairer workplaces. We can also reflect on what else we need to fight for to achieve true equality.
Conference will give you the tools and the confidence to speak up and make an active contribution to your workplace and get involved in your union.
This is a very popular event, so spaces are limited and the PSA CPSU NSW may not be able to offer a place to all who wish to attend. Priority will be given to Workplace Delegates.
Please complete the survey here by Thursday 10 July 2025 to register your expression of interest to attend.
If you have questions about this event please email
You will receive the outcome of your registration in early August. If successful, you will receive your release letter and details on the speakers and agenda shortly after.
Your PSA representatives Ben James and Kim Villanti recently met with Superintendent Whyte, the new Commander for Police Radio. These discussions made significant progress on a number of issues, particularly regarding rostering. Many members would already be aware of a trial roster to return 12-hour shifts for variable full-time staff. This has been an ongoing challenge for some time and a change that at face-value is welcomed by the PSA.
Superintendent Whyte is eager to hear members’ concerns and has committed to transparent communication going forward. In particular, the PSA is eager to hear from members who may be negatively affected by these changes and work constructively to alleviate any concerns surrounding the proposals.
Your PSA Advisory Group will meet in the coming weeks to table issues for the first Joint Communications Consultative Committee (JCCC) with the new Commander.
The PSA will issue a bulletin after the JCCC with relevant updates.
Newcastle update
Members may be aware the PSA reported lighting issues to SafeWork. Superintendent Whyte has confirmed approval for the reinstallation of dimmers at Newcastle radio.
We thank all members who helped provide information for the SafeWork submission.
Election
NSW Police Communications Advisory Group elections are scheduled for August this year. Please watch for nomination calls and support your Delegates. They work diligently to ensure safer workplaces and better conditions for all.
The PSA will be arranging visits to various Police Radio locations. Please look out for a Bulletin providing details on each visit prior to us attending.
Justice Legal Fund
Did you know the PSA offers a comprehensive Legal Fund for those working in the Justice portfolio? For just $2 a week, fully tax-deductible, the Legal Fund will cover you for any criminal matters that arise in the course of your employment. It will also mean you get representation for any coronial matter.
The Legal Fund is just one PSA membership benefit. Others include a free will-writing service, free ambulance cover and discounts through Union Shopper. For more member benefits, click HERE.
Community Corrections – Joint Consultative Committee Report Back
On 6 June 2025, your Community Corrections Departmental Committee met with the Community Corrections Executive (CCJCC) and discussed the following matters:
Senior Community Corrections Officer Progression Process
Concerns were raised regarding the current Senior Community Corrections Officer (SCCO) progression process, particularly that staff may be disadvantaged depending on when they commence. It was agreed that a working group will be established to review identified issues, with the aim of developing a fair and balanced progression framework that supports staff retention and career development.
OIMS Courselettes – System Usability Issues
The Committee raised concerns about the usability of OIMS Courselettes, noting they are not currently embedded in the on-boarding process. The Executive committed to reviewing training engagement and usability concerns. Members are encouraged to report issues with course content.
Location Establishment – Vacancies
Members are advised that any queries regarding unfilled positions should be raised with local management in the first instance. If issues remain unresolved, PSA delegates are available to advocate on your behalf.
Flexible Work Arrangements – Policy Consistency
With the Department of Communities and Justice/Corrective Service NSW Flexible Work Policy now in place, the Committee requested a working group to ensure its consistent application across all sites. The Executive advised that the Commissioner is currently reviewing the policy, with an update expected within the next two weeks.
Workload Management Template Dashboard
PSA Delegates continue to work with the Executive and Quality Assurance (Q/A) teams to address member concerns with the Workload Management Template (WMT) Dashboard. The Executive remains committed to improving the system’s functionality while recognising the dynamic nature of operational priorities and risk.
Domestic Violence Electric Monitoring and Domestic Violence Bail – Review of Staff Impact
The PSA and CSNSW will schedule a meeting to review the impact of DVEM (Domestic Violence Electric Monitoring) and DV Bail (Domestic Violence Bail) assessments on staff workload and allocated hours. This aims to ensure adequate support and realistic expectations for staff managing these complex matters
Community Corrections Officer Certificate IV Support
Concerns were raised about inconsistent support for Community Corrections Officer (CCO) Trainees undertaking their Certificate IV. A meeting will be arranged to ensure a fair and consistent approach is implemented to support both Trainees and Team Leaders throughout the program.
Safety Suite Incidents
It was reported that some staff had been directed to seek approval before submitting incidents in Safety Suite. The Assistant Commissioner (AC) confirmed that this is not correct—all safety concerns and incidents, including those of a psychological nature, must be reported. Members should not delay or seek permission before making a report.
Dress Code – Field Officers
A request was made to update the Dress Code Manual to better reflect the practical needs of Field Officers, particularly those performing field work and light duties. Further consultation will occur in conjunction with ongoing discussions related to Field Officer risk assessments and resources.
Remote Service Delivery Team Update
It was confirmed by the Executive that there is currently no review of the Remote Service Delivery Team (RSDT) being undertaken, however currently CCO roles are not being backfilled. Team Leader positions are constantly reviewed depending on the number of CCO’s requiring support and supervision. The PSA requested that all future recruitment EOI’s be modified to reflect this and as a result the rolling EOI will be taken down.
Your Community Corrections Departmental Committee delegates:
PSA CPSU NSW Retired Associates Annual General Meeting
The Retired Associates will welcome the newly elected executive following the recent elections.
We will also be discussing future directions and priorities for our group.
Details
Date Tuesday 24 June 2025
Time 10:30am-12:30pm
Location PSA House, 160 Clarence Street Sydney
For those unable to attend in person, the meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams using THIS LINK.
Agenda
Acknowledgement of Country
Attendance/Apologies/New members
Confirmation of minutes of previous meeting
Outcome of elections for new office bearers
Business arising: SSS superannuation, promotional materials, unfinancial members, future Red Tape articles
Reports: PSA Executive Update, PSA Annual Conference, Sydney Retired Unionists Group
Correspondence: internal/external
Guest speaker: TBA
Motions on notice
General business: future directions for the Retired Associates
A light lunch will be provided after the meeting. To assist with catering please confirm your attendance at by close of business on Thursday, 19 June 2025.
