Trade union training leave: An extra benefit for members
Dont let your Trade Union Training Leave entitlement go to waste!
Did you know that as a PSA member, you are entitled to 12 days of paid trade union training leave every two years? Or if youre a CPSU NSW member, most modern Enterprise Bargaining Agreement have a provision for trade union leave?
The trade union leave training schedule for the first half of the year is now up HERE.
Further dates will be added as required.
Introduction to the PSA
Ideally for brand new members, this course is perfect for new members, or members who want to know more before they get more involved.
Role of the Delegate
Role of the Delegate is a one-day course designed to give workplace delegates the skills and knowledge they need to build power at their workplaces. You will explore the importance of unions, history and the values that underpin them. You will develop your skills utilising tools such as mapping, recruitment conversations and problem-solving frameworks to build power.
This course is open to all members whether you are a delegate, thinking about becoming a delegate or would just like to know further about the role. Delegates that have attended this training before are welcome to come for a refresher.
Dealing with Workplace Issues
This course equips new delegates with skills and knowledge to assist members facing disciplinary action or experiencing workplace bullying. You will learn to apply the problem-solving framework when resolving members issues. You will be able to share and apply knowledge of rights and entitlements. You will develop plans when helping members with workplace disciplinary actions or bullying.
If you have any concerns or questions, please contact or . If you or your colleagues have specific union issues you wish to be trained about, please reach out. We can develop short lunch-time sessions that can be ran in your workplace on issues that matter to you.
Join your PSA organiser and delegates for the first members meeting of 2026 to discuss how your union can best support your workplace, and to receive an update on the recent Joint Consultative Committee (JCC).
Your PSA delegates and staff meet with Aboriginal Affairs management on a quarterly basis to raise workplace issues on behalf of members. The JCC is an important forum that gives members a say in how their workplace is run.
Your delegates, organiser, and Senior Industrial Officer attend the JCC and raise issues on behalf of the membership.
Members are encouraged to send any agenda items they would like to discuss at the members meeting, to
If you know any non-members who would like to learn more about your union, please invite them to attend.
Meeting Details
If you are onsite, please join us in person or use the link below to join on Teams.
Implementation of surge beds: Corrective Services NSW
Over the past month, Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) has contacted centres regarding the implementation of surge beds due to the continued increase in inmate numbers.
Sub Branches are reminded that any implementation of surge beds must occur through proper consultation, ensuring that safe and appropriate staffing levels can be maintained operationally.
As we are all aware, centres do not currently have sufficient staffing to operate at full Prison Bed Capacity Adjustment Program (PBCAP) capacity with the resources available. Any increase in bed numbers without additional staff only results in further operational pressures and increased lock-ins.
Sub Branches are therefore reminded that these proposed increases are subject to consultation, not direction, as has been raised by several Sub Branches.
Regards,
Darren King
POVB State Executive Chair
0407 935 039
Housing Services: Western Sydney Joint Consultative Committee meeting
The first quarterly Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting for 2026 was held on 24 February for the Western Sydney district. PSA industrial staff attend these meetings with workplace delegates and district management.
JCCs are an important platform to address workplace concerns and members are encouraged to reach out to PSA delegates and staff about any workplace issues they would like raised at the meetings. They are an opportunity for members to speak out and ask any questions they may have about workplace rights. Please note only collective issues are discussed at JCCs. Individual matters are managed privately.
Key discussions on 24 February included:
Relocation of Parramatta office
Management said it has commenced consultation with staff at the Parramatta office about the relocation to 160 Marsden Street. The PSA was told that a working group would be formed, which would include a position for a PSA delegate, and that risk assessments would be done by the WHS project officer. The move is planned for the second quarter of the 2026/27 financial year.
The PSA is aware of member concerns around communication and change management. That key topic did not receive a favourable score in last years People Matters Employment Survey for Housing Services. The Western Sydney district did receive a noticeably higher score on that topic than other districts. To support change around the move, management said there would be a number of roadshows in March to discuss any concerns.
Members can also raise any issues directly with the PSA; speak with your workplace delegates or organiser.
Management said after consultation is approved, they would look at design.
There are no planned moves for the other offices in the district: Blacktown, Penrith or Mount Druitt.
Recruitment
Ongoing appointments are progressing from Grade 11/12 downwards, and to avoid unnecessary re-interviewing, direct appointments are made based on compliance with the Government Sector Employment Act 2013, role tenure and performance, management said.
The PSA raised member concerns in relation to video-recording being part of the interview process. Management said some recruiters choose to use it as an assessment tool but it doesnt take the place of an interview panel.
Members often ask questions around recruitment, particularly in relation to opportunities to act up in higher roles. The department has a clear process around how to fill temporary vacancies of up to 26 weeks. If you are interested in acting up make sure you have it as a goal in your Personal Development Plan (PDP). If you have any questions about recruitment youd like raised at the next JCC, please let your workplace delegates or organiser know.
Functional Review
A Functional Review evaluation will be done before the end of the financial year. Staff will get an opportunity to provide feedback on what went well and what didnt. Management is aware that portfolio sizes will need to be reviewed to make sure they remain at under 300.
Work health and safety
The district continues to offer onsite Employee Assistance Program (EAP) support, management said. It is available fortnightly in Blacktown and Penrith, and weekly in Parramatta and Mount Druitt.
Management shared Safety Suite data for the quarter October to December 2025. The data highlighted that the primary risk area is client-related verbal abuse and threats and management said they are going to further address the issue at the March roadshows.
Members are reminded to report all incidents through Safety Suite. The PSA raised the issue of some members having their Safety Suite reports closed with no communication provided as to its outcome. Management said staff should escalate the report if the original matter is not addressed.
Members are also encouraged to know who the Health and Safety Representative (HSR) is in their office. HSRs are elected to represent you on work health and safety (WHS) issues in the workplace. They identify and resolve WHS matters, and can issue a provisional improvement notice (PIN) if they reasonably believe the WHS law has been broken. The PSA recently received approval from SafeWork to run HSR training for its members. Please get in touch with your PSA organiser for further information.
Psychosocial Action Plan
As discussed in last years Housing Services JCC, districts are expected to develop Psychosocial Action Plans to better manage psychosocial risks in the workplace. Management confirmed that the Western Sydney districts plan is in the consultation stage with staff.
Its important that members know about and understand the Psychosocial Action Plan as it will provide important information about psychosocial hazards such as role overload, workplace bullying, work-related violence and burnout. Under the new Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 workplaces must implement control measures to eliminate psychosocial hazards so far as is reasonably practicable.
The next JCC meeting is scheduled for May. Members are encouraged to share any workplace concerns they have with their workplace delegates or organiser. If you have any questions about your rights in the workplace, please get in touch.
Members working at 6 Parramatta Square: morning tea is on the PSA!
PSA members who work at 6 Parramatta Square are invited to join PSA organisers Andrea Cartwright and Rachel Eldred for morning tea next Tuesday 24 March 2026.
The morning tea is an opportunity to get together with other PSA members to meet your PSA representatives and learn more about what the PSA is doing to support your rights in the workplace.
Not using your member benefits? Then come along and find out how you can save the cost of your membership and more! (Did you know, for example, that mycar Tyre & Auto is offering members a 12.5 per cent discount on servicing, mechanical repairs and selected tyres until 2 April?)
Non-members are also welcome and can join up on the day, so bring a colleague and your questions and well see you next Tuesday.
Homes NSW Aboriginal Housing Office statewide PSA lunchtime members meeting
PSA organiser Rachel Eldred will be holding an online meeting for Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) members and will be joined by your delegate Matt Cooper.
The meeting is an opportunity to discuss any workplace issues affecting members before the PSA meets with AHO management on 30 March for its first Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting.
JCCs are an important platform to address workplace concerns and an opportunity for members to speak up. Please note only collective issues are discussed at JCCs. Individual matters are managed privately.
Come along with your questions and learn more about the PSA structure and how it works to help members build collective power in the workplace.
If you cant make it on the day, you can reach out to your workplace delegate or organiser at a time that suits you.
Health Professional Councils Authority: come and meet the PSA!
Do you work at Health Professional Councils Authority? The PSA is holding an in person and online members’ meeting. Whether youre in the office or working from home, Senior Organiser Belinda Tsirekas and Industrial Officer Graydon Welsh will be available to discuss member issues.
Are you interested in becoming a Workplace Delegate?
Were looking for passionate representatives from your work site to join us at the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting for the Health Professional Councils Authority. This is your chance to have a voice, drive positive change, and represent your colleagues where it really counts!
If youre keen to get involved and help shape what happens in your workplace, we want to hear from you.
Come along to the lunch time meeting – this is a great opportunity for both members and non-members to:
Become a Delegates
Meet your PSA Senior Organiser, and Industrial Officer
Learn more about becoming a Delegate and the PSAs role in your workplace
Share ideas on how your union can best support you and your colleagues
Whether youve got something specific to raise or just want to stay informed, wed love to see you there.
If you know any non-members that would like to learn more about your union, invite them to attend.
Meeting details
Date: Thursday 26th March 2026
Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm
Location: in person Floor 6, North Wing HPCA Board Room, or online via Teams
The PSA NSW has over 125 years of proud history, and you stand on the shoulders of more than 40,000 members who know we are stronger together.
Did you know your union also offers you:
Free emergency ambulance cover
Free Journey Insurance peace of mind if you have an accident travelling to and from work.
FREE Personal & Accident insurance lump sum claims for injuries and broken bones and for $11 extra get your whole immediate family covered (exclusive of broken bones )
Substantial shopping discounts with Union Shopper
Free will and Legal services and many other benefits
The first quarterly Homes NSW Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting for 2026 was held on 20 February. PSA industrial staff attend these meetings with the chair of the Homes NSW Departmental Committee and the Homes NSW leadership team.
The Homes NSW JCC is the peak JCC where high-level member matters are discussed across each of the Homes NSW functional areas. These include:
Aboriginal Housing Office
Housing Services
Housing Portfolio
Housing Policy & Strategy
Housing Programs & Partnerships
Disaster Welfare & Business Continuity
Management shared updates on key areas of business such as fleet management, office relocations, key disaster recovery sites and the use of work phones. Many of the matters discussed affect members differently across the state and will be shared at the local level.
Members are asked to speak with workplace delegates or PSA organisers if they have any specific concerns in relation to work vehicles, offices or the use of work phones so they can be appropriately managed at the local level.
Key matters discussed that affect members more generally included:
Work health and safety
Management said there would be a focus on at-risk driver behaviour, including speeding and driver fatigue. The initiative would start with reports of any vehicles travelling more than 120km per hour. Members are reminded to take care on the roads, particularly when driving long distances in regional areas. Members should reach out to their workplace delegates or PSA organisers if they consider operational pressures to be a factor in any at-risk driver behaviour so it can be immediately addressed.
Housing Portfolio
Recruitment panels have been appointed for Housing Portfolio (HP) and ads have started to go out as part of HP’s Stabilisation Project. The project has been designed to stabilise temporary roles. About 60 roles are involved and management said it would take well over 6 months to get through.
Housing Portfolio members met on 4 March for an online statewide meeting to discuss issues affecting members. These concerns will be discussed with management at the inaugural JCC between the PSA and HP on 23 March. If you were unable to make the meeting, please raise any workplace issues or concerns with your workplace delegates or PSA organisers.
Aboriginal Housing Office
The full restructure for Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) has been put on hold for now. The PSA is in the process of organising regular quarterly JCC meetings with AHO. Once a date has been confirmed, the PSA will hold a members’ meeting to discuss any issues they would like raised at the meeting.
Workers’ Compensation
Managers across Homes NSW have been completing THRIVE training on managing workers’ compensation. Management said it would also like to roll out the training to Work Health and Safety staff. If members have a preference for how they would like to complete this training, please speak to your workplace delegates or PSA organisers.
With the training rollout, the PSA would expect to see improvements in how return-to-work is managed across Homes NSW with members able to get back to work sooner.
Housing Services and the People Matter Employee Survey results
Management said a working group has been going through the results of the People Matter Employee Survey (PMES). Recruitment has been highlighted as one of the bottom 3 PMES topics in Housing Services and a new process has been implemented for staff who have been acting in roles for a long time. The PSA has asked to see the new process and will update members as soon as they learn more.
Management is also planning to have improved communication around expression-of-interest (EOI) lists and how they are used.
The next Homes NSW JCC meeting is scheduled for May. Members are encouraged to attend members’ meetings at the local level to discuss the workplace matters directly affecting them. The PSA is also running a housing survey at the moment to help us gather evidence about the housing crisis. Please take the time to fill it out.
Contact
Member Support Centre –
Homes NSW Departmental Committee Chair – Bernadette McMahon ()
PSA backs foster care overhaul restoring accountability to child protection system
The Public Service Association of NSW (PSA) says the Minns Government’s announcement of sweeping foster care reforms, designed to rebuild accountability and transparency across a system supporting more than 13,500 vulnerable children, is a long overdue reset after years of outsourcing failures under the Permanency Support Program.
The union, which represents child protection caseworkers in the Department of Communities and Justice, said the changes recognise what frontline staff have been warning for years: when responsibility is fragmented, children fall through the cracks.
For nearly a decade, caseworkers have operated inside a system where legal responsibility remained with government while service delivery was increasingly outsourced to non-government providers.
A three-year evaluation found the model failed its core objectives, even as funding to providers climbed to around $1 billion annually and the services delivered to children declined.
The PSA said the shift to strengthen oversight, wind down existing contracts and return decision-making authority to government agencies is essential to protecting children and restoring public confidence.
The reforms will also elevate the role of foster carers, expand recruitment, strengthen performance monitoring of providers and invest further in Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations so Aboriginal children can remain connected to kin, culture and community wherever possible.
The union said frontline workers understand the stakes better than anyone.
“For years our union has been campaigning on behalf of our members in regard to the dysfunctional child protection system they were left managing by the former government,” said Troy Wright, PSA Assistant General Secretary.
“Crucially last year in the Budget the Government committed funds to increase their salaries to a level that would address the workforce retention crisis, but the reforms announced today are the final missing piece.
“The out-of-home care system in New South Wales has been subject to more bad reviews than a Bollywood musical and more report card fails than Bart Simpson.
“It offered poor outcomes and even worse value for the taxpayer.
“Non-Government Organisations were virtually being given open-ended cheques with no responsibilities, and when they couldn’t do the work because it was too difficult, the care of children was thrown back on a resource-starved public sector.
“This will ensure the decision-making is placed with the Minister, Government and Department with the legal responsibility for children in care, and that accountability is placed on the service who accept the funding to provide it.”
PSA commences consultation for new NSW Education Standards Authority Flexible Working Hours Agreement
With a new year well and truly underway, the PSA wishes to welcome back our NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) members, hoping you had a refreshing break over the summer holidays and trusting you’ve hit the ground running in 2026.
We remind members that the PSA will be at the coffee shop across the road from NESA on Wednesday, 11 February, so please come and chat over a coffee provided by the PSA.
We also want to let members know that NESA has reached out to the PSA to commence consultation for a new flexible working hours agreement. At this stage, we have accepted an initial meeting with NESA’s people and culture/industrial relations representatives, to hear more about the proposal late next week.
The PSA will be eager to gather feedback from members after that meeting. We have set up a collective call for members to contact our Member Support Centre. Please quote Case IDC10014874 to provide feedback in due course.
The NSW Court of Appeal’s recent ruling that NSW parliamentary inquiries have no valid power to compel witnesses to appear before them to give evidence is a victory for common sense, says the Public Service Association.
The court ruling means outdated 124-year-old laws recently relied upon in an attempt to compel some of the Premier’s staff to appear before a parliamentary committee have now been struck down.
The laws are unusual in that they can’t be used to compel members of parliament, and therefore Ministers, to appear but they can be used to compel their staff.
The case was brought before the court by Premier Chris Minns’ chief of staff, James Cullen, after he was asked to appear at a number of parliamentary inquiries.
The court’s ruling is a victory for common sense, says Public Service Association General Secretary, Stewart Little.
“This is a victory for common sense,” said Mr Little.
“Ministers and Departmental Secretaries are fair game and should be held to account.
“Staffers and junior public servants should not be used as pawns in political shenanigans.”
The PSA CPSU NSW is currently closed for the holiday period and will re-open on Monday 12 January 2026.
For any urgent matters during the close down, we will have skeleton staff answering calls in the Member Support Centre between 9:00am to 5:00pm on the following days.
Monday 22-24 December 2025
Friday 2 January 2026
Monday 5-9 January 2026
We would like to wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year.
