Legal Aid NSW (LANSW) has advised the PSA considerable funding reductions have been imposed by both State and Federal Governments. While precise figures have not been provided by LANSW, amounts of between $5 and $6 million have been discussed. It is likely this will affect the jobs of our members.
LANSW invited the PSA to a briefing session regarding the proposed workplace change approximately 72 hours before the staff announcement. While this represented an improvement on previous consultation processes, the briefing was conducted at a high level and LANSW declined to answer critical questions, including the number of positions proposed to be abolished.
LANSW also refused to provide the PSA with advance access to important documents, including the Change Management Plan and the Work Health and Safety Risk Assessment associated with the SWAT restructure.
While some progress had been made in improving consultation processes, the PSA remains concerned that the absence of this critical information prevented a proper assessment of the potential impact of the proposed restructure, including possible job losses and broader workforce impacts.
A recent message from the Chief Executive has singled out the Client Service Division and Statewide Action Team (SWAT).
Client Service Division
The PSA understands the proposal to involve the following changes:
- Proposed Content, Education and Engagement (CEE) function
The proposal would:
- Create a single team by bringing together functions currently located across separate teams.
- Organise work around specialist capabilities rather than historical team boundaries.
- Improve alignment and collaboration across related functions.
- Establish new Senior Partner roles to strengthen strategic business connections with divisions.
LANSW advised these Senior Partner roles are intended to provide strategic support and business partnering functions and would not necessarily involve undertaking drafting work themselves.
- Proposed staffing changes
LANSW advised:
- A total of 11.2 ongoing full-time equivalent (FTE) positions are proposed for removal.
- Four new ongoing positions are proposed.
- Four temporary roles are proposed for removal.
- One existing temporary position is proposed to be converted into a new role within the structure.
- The Legal Resource Team (LRT) is proposed to be abolished.
- Business partner roles
Questions were raised regarding the proposed Business Partner positions. LANSW advised:
- Ideally the model would include three Business Partner roles.
- Due to budget constraints, the proposal currently includes two roles.
- The roles would focus on legal assurance, strengthening connections with divisions, capability building and strategic priorities.
- Responsibilities may include coordinating content and communications and preparing materials where required.
- Specialist work would continue to be undertaken by staff with the relevant expertise. For example, copywriting work would be performed by copywriters.
- Impact on roles
The proposal may result in:
- Changes to reporting lines.
- Changes to team composition and functional alignment.
- Some existing roles no longer appearing in the proposed structure.
- The creation of new roles.
LANSW advised that the proposal is not simply a structural change but also seeks to embed more collaborative ways of working across affected teams. While collaboration already occurs in many areas, the proposed model would formalise these arrangements.
Throughout the transition, LANSW has stated that:
- Support for clients and communities will remain a priority.
- Staff wellbeing will remain a key focus.
Consultation period
- Consultation period: 4 weeks
- Consultation closes: 16 September
At this stage, the proposal remains a draft and no final decisions have been made.
LANSW noted that significant changes can occur between a draft proposal and a final structure as a result of feedback received during consultation period.
SWAT
The proposed structure reflects the revised service delivery model outlined in the consultation paper. The proposed restructure would see two teams abolished, together with administrative roles, removing a total of 13.6 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions from SWAT.
Key features include:
- Dedicated Senior Solicitor (Crime) and Senior Solicitor (Family) positions.
- Solicitor and support roles aligned to the criminal and family law streams.
- A structure designed to support the revised triage and service delivery approach.
If the proposal proceeds, implementation will occur in accordance with NSW Government workforce policies and procedures.
Consultation period
LANSW advised that the briefing formally commenced consultation.
- Consultation is open now.
- Consultation closes at 5:00 pm on 16 September 2026.
- LANSW has advised that an “extended” consultation period is being provided to allow staff adequate time to consider the proposal and provide feedback.
Position-filling process
Once a final decision is made, any process for filling positions will occur in accordance with:
- Relevant legislation
- Government policies
- Workforce processes
- Consultation with HR
Staff will receive individual advice and information as they progress through any affected workforce management processes.
What’s next?
Members are encouraged to:
- Raise concerns or questions
- Identify information gaps
- Provide feedback through the feedback form
- Speak with leaders, colleagues, union representatives, or HR
Members should ensure their feedback is submitted before the consultation period closes.
To effectively advocate on behalf of members and influence the outcome of these restructures, the PSA needs your considered feedback.
We want to hear from you
The PSA is asking members to carefully review and analyse the information provided by LANSW as part of the consultation process.
If you identify areas of concern, we want to hear from you. The PSA will collate member feedback and raise issues directly with management. Information may be presented anonymously.
The PSA intends to ensure members have sufficient time to review and consider the information provided through staff briefings and supporting material supplied by LANSW before determining next steps.
Please quote case number: C10022019 for the CEE Restructure. Please quote case number: C10022017 for the SWAT Restructure.
Meeting for members
Members are encouraged to provide their written feedback to the PSA before a Teams meeting so that key themes and concerns can be identified and discussed in a structured way.
Legal Aid Departmental Committee (DC) Chair, Sally Deans, is co-ordinating member feedback regarding the proposed restructure.
The meeting will be open to all affected Client Service Division staff. Staff who are not union members are welcome to attend and observe the discussion. However, in accordance with PSA rules, any votes relating to industrial strategy, including potential work bans or other union actions, will be restricted to PSA members.
This is a combined meeting of affected members. Supplying your feedback in advance of the meeting will help focus the discussion.
Agenda
- LANSW workplace change overview
- CEE Restructure
- SWAT Restructure
Meeting details
Date Monday 7 September 2026
Time 4:00pm-5:00pm
Link Join the meeting HERE.
Meeting ID 493 593 612 728 801
Passcode UW3pd6dy
Contacts
Sally Deans
Legal Aid Departmental Committee Chair
Alex Sala
PSA Organiser
Anthony Wright
PSA Industrial Officer