At the recent Non-Custodial Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting, the PSA raised concerns that the newly released Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) Flexible Work Policy, which can be found HERE  and Commissioner’s Memorandum, which can be found HERE are not being applied consistently or fairly across the state.

Since the meeting, the PSA and selected delegates have held productive discussions with Assistant Commissioners Custody, John Buckley, and Craig Smith.

Both Mr Buckley and Mr Smith expressed strong support for flexible working arrangements; however, they emphasised that each Centre’s operational requirements must continue to be met. These operational needs vary between Centres and depend on the nature of specific roles. It is important that members remain adaptable to ensure operations continue smoothly during both planned and unplanned staff shortages.

Guidance materials have been distributed to management, which can be found HERE. Staff should be actively consulted on how flexible work can be implemented at each Centre. Where flexibility has been successful, members have taken the initiative by documenting how flexible arrangements can operate while accounting for unforeseen circumstances.

It is agreed that flexible work plans should not be overly rigid, and that work teams should not be divided in ways that undermine team balance or service delivery.

The PSA also raised concerns regarding workplaces where staff have faced restricted access to flexible working hours or have been denied flex time, despite having meaningful duties that can be performed during those hours. Given the geographic location of many Centres, this can significantly affect members’ work–life balance and psychosocial wellbeing.

Members can access the CSNSW flexibility documents on the CSNSW Intranet on a dedicated ‘Flexible work at CSNSW’ page, which can be found HERE.

If, after consultation and reasonable follow-up, you are denied access to flexible working arrangements, please contact the Member Support Centre on 1800 772 679 or email .

The PSA will continue to advocate for the fair and consistent application of the Flexible Work Policy across all Centres.