Environment Protection Authority: Member update
The PSA met with members in the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) on Thursday 22 January to discuss recent communications from management regarding the restructure. The PSA took your concerns directly to management to attempt to address concerns before the matter returned to the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) on Wednesday 28 January 2026.
This discussion with the EPA Executive was perhaps the most constructive meeting we have had so far, and the PSA was encouraged by management’s response to the concerns raised by PSA members. Additionally, EPA identified there are now more vacant positions than there are people on the mobility program. The PSA remains optimistic common sense will prevail, and the skills and experience of our members will be duly recognised.
The following details were clarified through the discussions with management.
New mobility process
The NSW Government implemented an updated Workforce Mobility policy governing how staff who cannot be placed internally can be retained in the NSW Government Sector on 9 December 2025. Key details for our members and impacted staff are:
- 40 business days to attempt to match impacted to a vacant role within the NSW public service, prior to being offered a Voluntary Redundancy, this remains the same as the previous policy.
- A further 20 business days to attempt to match staff who decline an offer of Voluntary Redundancy, this is a reduction from the three months.
This updated policy is government-wide, and the EPA has no discretion to apply the previous policy.
Case managers
Staff placed on the mobility program are to be assigned a case manager.
The EPA committed that all staff on the mobility program would be contacted by Friday 23 January. They further committed to at least weekly contact in the format preferred by the individual staff member.
If you are on the mobility program have not yet been contacted by your case manager or you are not being contacted accordingly, please reach out to PSA Organiser, Michael Parsons.
Use of talent pools
The EPA clarified language stating it “may” use existing talent pools during the internal recruitment process. The EPA committed to using talent pools only in limited circumstances, where only one applicant has applied for a vacant position if that person is on an existing talent pool to avoid them having to go through the full comparative assessment process. Where more than one person applies for a given role, the EPA committed talent pools would not be used and all applicants will progress through a fair and equal comparative process.
Concurrent timing
The PSA challenged the EPA decision to run internal recruitment concurrently.
The EPA clarified the concurrent process is designed to try and match as many people to roles as possible. Any vacancies generated through the concurrent process would then be opened up for those on the mobility program to be matched to in the first instance. The concurrent timing is planned to ensure the process is concluded before staff on the mobility program progress through to forced redundancy.
Meaningful feedback
The PSA raised concerns about reports members were not being provided with meaningful feedback where they had been unsuccessful in being matched to a role through the EOI process. If you have requested feedback and have not been provided with a constructive response, please contact PSA Organiser, Michael Parsons.
Industrial Relations Commission report back
The matter returned to the IRC Wednesday 28 January. Then Commission was advised there are currently 58 vacancies after the EOI process with 45 Staff to go through the comparative assessment process, the PSA was optimistic that there were enough roles for all affected staff. The PSA advised the commission of constructive discussions between the parties on Thursday 22 January.
However, the PSA requested the matter be kept open should the PSA seek further assistance from the commission. The Commissioner has stood over until 25 March, with the ability to relist or discontinue the matter before then.
GIPA request
The EPA decided to partially release the information requested under the GIPA Act. The PSA requested the Beatrice Hofmeyr Ways of Working report and information relating to Scyne. The ‘Ways of Working’ Report is available HERE.
The agency has stated it was unable to locate a file in its digital records using the search term “Scyne Report”. The PSA is considering options for a review of the decision and how to revise the request to access the information we are seeking.
Your Delegates
PSA Staff
Michael Sinclair Industrial Officer
Ivan Coates Industrial Officer