Coniston/Shellharbour PSA members’ meeting and request for information for next Homes NSW Joint Consultative Committee
On 28 October 2025 Public Service Association (PSA) delegates and industrial staff met with Homes NSW Southern and Western management for our Joint Consultative Committee (JCC). Below is an update of what was discussed. If the responses provided are not reflective of what is happening on the ground, we want to know.
Functional Review
It is clear that the Functional Review hasn’t streamlined service delivery and has in fact increased workload. Members have questioned the degree of meaningful consultation that took place but acknowledge things won’t be perfect the first day.
Concerns have been raised that seniors feel they can’t provide the same level of support to their direct reports with the new changes. We were told that the Illawarra was used to a level of support and resourcing that could not be funded. It is an open question whether customer service really is at the heart of this functional review.
Workload
The PSA is concerned about the high level of workload that our members face at Homes NSW. We would like to remind our members that key performance indicators (KPIs) are simply the method management use to quantify the targets set by their bosses. It is not worth your mental health and burn-out to you to work beyond your capacity and hours so Executives can say they are meeting targets. For too long Homes NSW has relied on your empathy to support clients at the detriment of your own mental health. If Homes NSW Executives want to meet their targets, then they must increase the funding for staffing.
The PSA encourages all members to meet targets that support your housing clients and not the KPIs of your Executive. If you are being pressured to meet KPIs we want to hear about it. Often this is done verbally, so ask for these targets to be sent to you in writing. Homes NSW can’t have it both ways: decrease roles; and meet its targets. Something has to give and it’s usually the burn out of staff.
The PSA reminds members to make sure you record all the hours you are doing on your time sheets. If you are asked to complete tasks that would take you over your allocated hours at the end of the settlement period then ask for overtime.
The PSA strongly suggests you record your workload and safety issues via WHS Safety Suite reports, and send these safety suite reports to the PSA, either to your delegates or PSA Regional Organiser Shane Elliott. We know that this is often time-consuming; however, it’s one of the tools we have to hold management to account. Your delegates are willing to sit down with you and support you with doing this. Follow the links on how to report a confidential incident HERE, an injury or illness HERE, or a hazard or near miss HERE.
Escalating violence and abuse of Homes NSW members
At our previous JCC we expressed our members’ concerns that they have been exposed to increasing violence and abuse in carrying out their duties, particularly around CSVs and visiting sites where there are unknown risks such as visitors and the failure of safety cards.
We agree it’s not OK for staff to be continually exposed to this level of violence and abuse. If you feel unsafe, trust that feeling, report it, and don’t go in. Record this by completing WHS reports and advise the PSA of how you are being supported by Homes NSW.
Next JCC
We are meeting Homes NSW management for our next Southern & Western District JCC on Tuesday 24 February 2026, and are asking for members’ feedback on any outstanding issues you wish to add for agenda items. You can send Agenda items to Regional Organiser Shane Elliott.
Join the PSA for our next in-person member meeting.
Meeting details
Date Wednesday 11 March 2026
Time 12:00pm-1:30pm. PSA staff and delegates will be present from 11:00am-2:00pm with time to speak to members and those interested in joining before and after meeting.
Location Ground Floor Case Conference Room, Coniston office, 7-11 Bridge Street Coniston