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History Timeline

2020 - 2029

Year Title  
2025 Political discourse continues to focus on housing and cost of living Read
2025 NSW state and federal governments agree funding boost for public schools Read
2025 New Child Protection Award in pipleline Read
2025 Government announces Parklea Correctional Centre to come back into public hands Read
2025 Rural Fire Service members accept offer Read
2025 CPSU NSW campaigns over job loses at University of Wollongong Read
2025 Casual conversion fight for Field Officers Read
2025 Junee Correctional Centre is taken over by Corrective Services Read
2025 PSA election results Read
2025 Psychologist campaign for better pay Read
2025 Federal election sees Australian Labor Party secure big victory Read
2025 Annual Conference 2025 opened by the Premier Read
2025 PSA Legal Counsel Alison McRobert appointed NSW Industrial Relations Commissioner Read
2025 Industrial Relations and Other Legislation Amendment (Workplace Protections) Bill 2025 Read
2025 Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Read
2025 Child Protection in Crisis campaign is a success Read
2025 Parental leave entitlements expanded Read
2025 CPSU NSW secures 12% pay rise over 3-years at Clarence Correctional Centre Read
2025 Stewart Little elected as Federal Secretary of CPSU SPSF federal office Read
2025 CPSU NSW Branch election Read
2025 ACTU calls for legislation on 4 day week Read
2025 NSW Government announces job cuts sector wide Read
2025 NSW tertiary education sector earmarked for job losses Read
2025 PSA campaigns against job cuts at NSW Environment Protection Authority Read
2025 Stewart Little and CPSU SPSF Secretaries in Canberra to discuss Family and Domestic Violence funding and Child Protection with Tanya Plibersek Read
2025 Troy Wright, Assistant General Secretary, visits Myanmar/Burma with APHEDA Union Aid Abroad to meet representatives from government and unions in exile and visit refugee camps. Read
2025 In mid-November 2025, the NSW Parliament passed an amended version of the Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Bill 2025. Read
2025 Mount Druit Family Violence Service stays open after PSA campaigning. Read
2025 ๐๐š๐ซ๐ฅ๐ข๐š๐ฆ๐ž๐ง๐ญ๐š๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ง๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐จ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ฎ๐œ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ž ๐š๐ง๐ ๐Ÿ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐  ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐š๐ซ๐ญ๐ฌ, ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐œ, ๐ง๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ-๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐ž ๐ž๐œ๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ฆ๐ฒ, ๐š๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ซ๐š๐ง๐ฌ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐จ๐ฌ Read
2025 NSW Police Force members win pay for recurrent leave days that fall on a public holiday Read
2025 Premier Chris Minnsโ€™ chief of staff has won a historic court bid to strike down 124-year-old laws in NSW that compelled witnesses, including political staffers, to appear before parliamentary inquiries Read
2024 Better pay and job security pushed by PSA across public sector Read
2024 Powerhouse Museum Ultimo closes for refurbishment Read
2024 Superannuation to be paid on federal paid parental leave Read
2024 PSA partners with OSARA Health Read
2024 Industrial action by Child Protection workers Read
2024 Housing Crisis continues to escalate Read
2024 Flooding in NSW Read
2024 Drop-in public-school enrolments sees $148million budget cut in education Read
2024 โ€œCrisis in Child Protectionโ€ cmapaign Read
2024 PSA and unions win tougher laws on knife crime Read
2024 PSA campaigns for tougher sentencing on Family and Domestic Violence offenders Read
2024 125 years of PSA Read
2024 PSA continues to push for better pay offer Read
2024 Industrial manslaughter laws created Read
2024 Union calls for abolishment of “Junior Wages” Read
2024 Essential workers leaving NSW Read
2024 Increase in social housing budget announced Read
2024 Privatisation of public services and assets remain on the nose in NSW Read
2024 Private schools remain overfunded in comparison Read
2024 Public is concerned about cost of living and housing Read
2024 Undervalued, Understaffed, Underpaid Read
2024 PSA Transport win Read
2024 Child protection workers continue action Read
2024 PSA campaigns for increased funding for family and domestic violence support services Read
2024 Industrial Court of NSW re-established Read
2024 Public sector pay negotiations continue Read
2024 Premier Minns wants public sector workers back in the office Read
2024 Right to disconnect Read
2024 Stage 2 Metro line opens Read
2024 Gender pay gap slowly closing Read
2024 PSA opens Junee office Read
2024 Numerous campaigns are concurrently running Read
2024 New Fisheries Award being negotiated Read
2024 Aboriginal Conference held in Newcastle Read
2024 PSA’s anti-privatisation message continues Read
2024 Union movement sees increase in members across Australia Read
2023 PSA seven week state election campaign begins Read
2023 Unions NSW runs Essential Workers Deserve Better campaign Read
2023 NSW Labor wins state election Read
2023 State election campaign review Read
2023 World Health Organisation ends COVID-19 emergency Read
2023 Cost-of-living crisis Read
2023 PSA wins permanent position mandate in schools Read
2023 PwC tax scandal Read
2023 One year 4.5 per cent wage offer increase Read
2023 PSA campaign for Yes vote in Voice to Parliament referendum Read
2023 Australian’s vote No to Voice to Parliament Read
2023 PSA campaigning against private prisons sees Junee Correctional Centre to become public in 2025 Read
2023 CPI drops from peak of 7.8 per cent to 4.1 per cent Read
2023 Child protection in crisis campaign launch Read
2022 COVID-19 infections jump Read
2022 Lismore floods Read
2022 PSA announces financial support for members impacted by floods Read
2022 Public Sector Needs a Pay Rise campaign is launched Read
2022 Australian Labor Party wins Federal election Read
2022 PSA Day of Action Read
2022 PSA commissions two ads for state election Read
2021 PSA CPSU NSW election postponed Read
2021 NSW enters severe lockdown Read
2021 Treasurer Dominic Perrottet abandons plans to restrict pay rises due to PSA pressure Read
2021 Premier Berejiklian resigns over ICAC investigation Read
2021 NSW Police announce Penrith Police Radio closure Read
2020 Fires grip large parts of NSW for several months Read
2020 COVID-19 arrives in Australia Read
2020 COVID-19 forces a lockdown in NSW Read
2020 CPSU NSW gains coverage of Clarence Correctional Centre Read
2020 Underpayments to NSW Police Aviation employees discovered Read
2020 Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo saved from closure Read
2020 Forestry NSW kept in public hands Read
2020 PSA Womenโ€™s Council Celebrates 90 years Read

2010 - 2019

Year Title  
2019 PSA CPSU NSW launches a weekly podcast Read
2019 PSA launches a Legal Fund Read
2019 PSA is 120 years old Read
2019 NSW Emergency Services coalition formed Read
2019 Pay Equity win for School Administrative and Support Staff Read
2018 Community Services members walk out Read
2018 Stillbirth leave added to AusGrid Enterprise Agreement Read
2018 CPSU NSW campaigns to strengthen TAFE NSW Read
2017 Campaign against penalty rate cuts Read
2017 Disability Support workers, bringing traffic to a standstill Read
2017 Membership is 36,000 Read
2017 PSA campaigns on a number of issues Read
2017 PSA works to keep the John Morony Correctional Centre in public hands Read
2017 Berrima gaol reopens Read
2017 PSA continues its fight against public housing sell-off. Read
2017 Juvenile Justice membersโ€™ safety is a priority for the union after a number of injuries. Read
2017 Sport and recreation privatisation stopped Read
2016 Orange by-election PSA campaigned with Unions NSW against Nationals. Read
2016 NSW Government market test NSW prison operations. Read
2016 Land and Title Office to be privatised Read
2016 NSW Government pushes more privatisation Read
2016 NSW Government pushes ahead with complete withdrawal from Disability and Home Care services Read
2016 PSA CPSU NSW retains coverage of all Home Care service members Read
2016 Stewart Little, General Secretary, Kylie McKelvie President and Troy Wright, Assistant General Secretary are elected Read
2015 Job cuts at Australian Museum Read
2015 NSW Trustee and Guardian offices threatened with closure Read
2015 Members action stop export of ServiceFirst jobs Read
2015 PSA Win. Temporary employees to be made permanent Read
2015 Privatisation ramps up with Power privatisation Read
2015 Mike Baird leds Liberal-National coalition to second term Read
2015 โ€œWhich direction are we headed?โ€ Read
2014 Save our TAFE Read
2014 TAFE forced to compete with private sector Read
2014 Coniston Community Service members walk out Read
2014 Fight against ADHC privatisation continues Read
2013 Member Support Centre established Read
2013 Government Sector Employment Act 2013 passed Read
2013 Sydney University CPSU members strike Read
2013 Proposed privatisation of NSW Land and Property Information Read
2013 PSA to explore pay equity case for SAS staff Read
2013 PSA delegates lead campaign against shooting in National Parks Read
2013 NDIS (NSW Enabling) Act 2013 Read
2013 PSA Introduces Journey Insurance for members Read
2012 Recreational Shooting in National Parks in return for electricity sale Read
2012 Thousands of public sector job cuts start Read
2012 Public sector Ageing, Disbability and Home Care (ADHC) funding frozen Read
2012 O’Farrel Government lodges Conditions of Employment application with IRC Read
2012 Grafton Gaol closed Read
2012 PSA challenges wages cap in the High Court of Australia Read
2012 1000 job cuts in schools and Department of Education Read
2012 Service NSW announced Read
2012 Stop the cuts Rally: Town Hall Sydney Read
2012 Anne Gardiner elected General Secretary Read
2012 Workers compensation attacked Read
2012 Further 10,000 public sector jobs to go Read
2012 Desalination Plant sold Read
2012 $1.7 billion cut from Education and Communities Read
2011 NSW Public Sector Commission established Read
2011 PSA wins Domestic Violence clause Read
2011 Liberals back in power in NSW Read
2011 PSA and other unions lobby for climate change Read
2011 NSW Government announces 5000 public sector job cuts Read
2011 NSW Liberal Government legislates public sector wages cap Read
2011 Sydney Ferries is earmarked for privatisation Read
2011 Full privatisation of NSW electricity assets plans pushed by Government Read
2010 4 per cent pay rise for Crown Employees Read
2010 PSA wins lactation break clause Read
2010 Domestic Violence Leave included in University of NSW Enterprise Agreement Read
2010 NSW Lotteries privatised Read
2010 Proposal by Government to privatise Sydney Ferries revoked Read
2010 Partial power sell-off by Labor Government Read
2010 Government outsources child protection jobs Read

2000 - 2009

Year Title  
2009 Sydney Harbour Bridge becomes cashless Read
2009 Stop the Cell-Off Read
2009 PSA campaigns against Superannuation Administration Corporation (Pillar) privatisation Read
2009 Crown employees receive 4 per cent pay rise (12.48 per cent over 3-years) Read
2009 Purchase leave secured in NSW public service Read
2009 PSA campaigns to improve professional standing of School Learning Support Officers (SLSOs) Read
2009 Privatisation of school General Assistants is dropped Read
2005 Paid maternity leave increases Read
2002 Pay equity for Librarians and Archivists Read

1990 - 1999

Year Title  
1997 CPSU-SPSF established Read
1995 PSA wins demarcation battle against Australian Transport Officers’ Federation (ATOF) Read
1994 PSA and Professional Officers Association (POA) amalgamate Read

1980 - 1989

Year Title  
1989 General Secretary and Vice Presidents elected by the full membership Read
1987 President, Deputy President and Treasurer elected by the full membership Read
1986 Permanent Part-time work introduced in NSW public sector Read
1983 Workplace groups introduced Read
1981 Four-division restructure reviewed at Annual Conference Read
1980 Prison Officers walk off the job Read

1970 - 1979

Year Title  
1976 State Public Services Federation (SPSF) established Read
1975 PSA wins Equal Pay Case in Department of Motor Transport Read
1974 Removal of men and women eligibility list in NSW public service Read
1973 Women’s Auxiliary renamed Women’s Council Read
1972 Equal pay principle extended Read
1971 Maternity leave extended to unmarried women and temporary employees Read
1970 Membership exceeds 32,000 Read

1960 - 1969

Year Title  
1969 Equal pay for equal work Read
1967 A report, Sexism in Education, finds an over-representation of women in temporary roles Read
1961 Submission for the removal of married women from being prohibited to be in employed in permanent public service positions is made Read
1960 Membership reaches 19,453 Read

1950 - 1959

Year Title  
1959 Vote to affiliate with Australian Council of Trade Unions defeated at Annual Conference Read
1958 Female clerical officers to be paid 85 per cent of male rate Read
1957 Paid maternity leave legislated in NSW Read
1955 Government report recommends permanency for eligible temporary employees Read
1951 Annual Conference delegates vote in favour to affiliate with Labor Council Read
1950 Membership reaches 8430 Read
1950 Women’s minimum wage set at 75 per cent of men Read

1940 - 1949

Year Title  
1949 NSW Public Service Clerical Officers’ Association break away Read
1948 NSW public service exams opened to women Read
1946 40 Hour Week campaign Read
1945 Substanital public sector employment and PSA membership growth Read
1944 Crown Employees Appeal Board established Read
1944 Jean Arnot awarded PSA Gold Medal Read
1940 PSA affiliates with NSW Labor Council Read

1930 - 1939

Year Title  
1939 Membership reaches 7000 Read
1939 World War II begins Read
1938 Wages restored Read
1937 Jean Arnot appointed Chairwoman of PSA Women’s Auxiliary Read
1930 PSA wins access to arbitration Read
1930 Women’s Auxiliary established Read

1920 - 1929

Year Title  
1928 Four internal divisions created Read
1927 Public Service Journal renamed Red Tape Read
1925 State Premier Jack Lang brings Labor back to power Read
1923 Temporary Officers Act provides work for returned serviceman Read
1922 Women excluded from NSW public service exams Read
1921 Creation of female office assistant Read
1920 Public Service Association registered under Industrial Arbitration Act 1912 Read

1896 - 1919

Year Title  
1919 Public Service Association registered as a Trade Union Read
1919 Female wage set at 54 per cent Read
1915 Australia enters World War I Read
1910 First major campaigns on equal pay, superannuation and employment conditions Read
1908 NSW Industrial Arbitration system established Read
1902 Public Service Act 1902 prohibits married women working in NSW public service Read
1902 Temporary employment allowed in NSW public service Read
1900 The Public Service Journal Read
1900 First Public Service Association Council elected Read
1899 The PSA is established Read
1896 Initial steps to establish the Public Service Association of NSW Read

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