In this Bulletin:

• First General Assistants Advisory Group meeting for 2026
• Use of Private Vehicle Allowance
• General Assistant Award negotiation update
• MS Teams link to General Assistant PSA Member Meeting

GA Advisory Group Meeting Term 1 2026

Award Review

Delegates discussed the ongoing award process and the need for an increase to General Assistant (GA) pay. Delegates were clear that the priority for members was a pay rise that genuinely addresses cost-of-living pressures and corrects the historic undervaluing of the role. The importance of the increase being an uplift was discussed rather than any increase in pay being used by the department to add duties to a role that is already stretched when it comes to workload.

Training and induction

Members reported inconsistent or non‑existent induction processes, lack of access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and no proper training in key Work Health and Safety (WHS) areas (including chemical safety). The PSA and delegates will continue advocating for standardised, mandatory inductions for all new GAs, including through Award negotiations. GA members are encouraged to seek a copy of the PSA General Assistant Toolkit by contacting your organiser or the Member Support Centre for further information about their rights and entitlements.

Work Health and Safety

Concerns were raised about unsafe workloads, working alone, breaches of chemical‑handling requirements, and principals directing GAs to perform tasks outside the Role Description Safety is a shared responsibility, and we’ll be raising these issues with the department via ongoing discussions with Health and Safety, and through Award negotiations.

Cleaning and misallocated duties

Many GAs are still being asked to undertake cleaners’ work: topping up toilet paper, cleaning bathrooms, pressure washing large areas, and handling bodily waste. These duties are not part of the GA role, and we encourage members (particularly those undergoing Performance Management) to set clear boundaries and contact the PSA Member Support Centre if pressured to perform tasks outside your role description.

Allowance for use of private vehicles on school business

Delegates raised that many members are not aware that they are entitled to an allowance for the use of their private vehicles on school business.

PSA reminds GAs that:

• Use of a GAs private vehicle on school business requires payment of the appropriate allowance under the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award
• GAs cannot be directed to use their private vehicle to perform any school tasks
• It is not a condition of employment for GAs to hold a current driver’s licence or obtain a driver’s licence
• Before GAs can receive the allowance, the principal must sight your current driver’s licence, car registration and comprehensive insurance policy

GAs using their private vehicles for school business is voluntary. GAs should discuss the payment of the appropriate allowance with the Principal before they agree to use their private vehicle. Further information via PSA General Assistant Toolkit.

General Assistant Award negotiation update

PSA has written to the department to clarify our asks following our first meeting in November last year. Our previous bulletin on this issue can be found HERE and we look forward to further discussion with you on this during our first Member Meeting for 2026.

Revised General Assistant allocation methodology

Before the implementation of the new allocation model for Term 1 2026, the PSA raised several concerns about the implementation of the increases. One of the union’s concerns was that where schools received an increase in their GA allocation/entitlement the current permanent GA at that school would not be offered the hours. We invite PSA members to the first member meeting for 2026 so we can better capture and understand how many members are impacted.

General Assistant member meeting: Term 1, 2026

PSA Members are invited to the first General Assistant member meeting for 2026, non members are invited to attend as observers. There will be a lunch time meeting, and an afterhours meeting, links below. We value your input and want to ensure your voice’s is heard. PSA understands that in an isolating role, opportunities to come together and share experiences are hugely important.

Meeting Details

Date Tuesday 3 March 2026

Time 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Microsoft Teams Join HERE

Meeting ID 459 172 530 214 62

Passcode X3aG2pG2

or

Date Tuesday 3 March 2026

Time 4:30pm – 5:30pm

Microsoft Teams Join HERE

Meeting ID 422 061 780 147 81

Passcode aD68Mm3k