The third quarterly Homes NSW Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting for 2026 was held on 27 August 2026. The meeting is the peak JCC where high-level member matters are discussed across each of the Homes NSW functional areas:
- Aboriginal Housing Office
- Housing Services
- Housing Portfolio
- Housing Policy & Strategy
- Housing Programs & Partnerships
- Disaster Welfare & Business Continuity
PSA industrial staff attend these meetings with the chair and secretary of the Homes NSW Departmental Committee and the Homes NSW leadership team.
Key matters discussed included:
Client Service Visits
A review has been done on Client Service Visits (CSVs) to learn more about field movements and safety of Housing Services’ staff. As a result of the review, there are plans to make enhancements to the system that staff use, to streamline processes and make them less administrative. Mandatory safety questions and photos will be required as part of the process with improved contacts to emergency services. Management asserted that it will be easier to lodge maintenance issues, and tracking will be more efficient with enhanced integration with other systems.
Management also claimed that training will be rolled out to support staff in embeding the new enhancements, which have been designed to make it less clunky and more accessible. Members are encouraged to reach out to workplace delegates and PSA organisers to confirm the effectiveness of the changes once they are rolled out.
Members often raise concerns about CSVs and safety, particularly around one- versus two-person visits. The PSA raised these concerns at the meeting and were told that there are no safety concerns for the majority of visits. For those sites that do need to be attended by two people, there are warnings in the system. Management also confirmed that staff are permitted to work together at times. For example, they can buddy up to visit complexes.
Occupational violence survey
The PSA would like to hear from members about their experiences working on the frontline in our occupational violence survey. That includes when out on CSVs or in any other areas of the business where you are potentially subjected to violence, either physical or verbal. Members often share experiences of on-the-job violence. Now is the opportunity to have your voice heard so the NSW Government can be made aware of this growing issue.
Work health and safety
Management re-confirmed the work being done with the department’s work health and safety team on telematics. There continues to be high incidents of speeding. Driver safety training has started to be rolled out across the agency for staff who must drive daily or long distances. Please speak with management in your area if you’re interested in the training.
Members are reminded to take care on the roads, particularly when driving long distances in regional areas. Reach out to your workplace delegates or PSA organisers if you consider operational pressures to be a factor in any at-risk driver behaviour so it can be addressed immediately.
Artificial intelligence developments
Management claimed everyone has a baseline connection to artificial intelligence (AI) through Microsoft Copilot as it is seen as a closed secure system. Staff are not permitted to use any external AI apps. Security training around the use of AI has been rolled out to staff with guidance on the types of information that can and can’t be used. Members are reminded not to use any data that is protected, secret or top secret.
The department has also started to roll out intelligent automation (IA). IA is different to AI in that it is designed to automate structured and repetitive tasks. While the focus of AI is to train machines to think and work like human beings, IA centres around the development of processes to optimise and streamline workflows with minimal human intervention.
IA is in use at the Housing Response Centre to help the workflow process for applications. When clients submit an application online, IA uploads it to the system. It is also used to help manage shift changes.
There were further discussions around its use for database audits and its potential to help identify the types of maintenance tasks required so the correct tradespeople can be sent out to jobs.
Management is also looking into the best way to use AI to support staff to locate information on the intranet.
The PSA continues to monitor AI and IA use across the public service and members are reminded to let us know of any developments. Your union wants to make sure that management appropriately consults on any AI or IA adoption.
Workers’ compensation
Reforms to workers’ compensation, specifically around psychological claims, commenced on 1 July 2026. Management has advised that there is information about the reforms on the DCJ intranet. The PSA encourages members to review the changes.
Filming of staff in Housing Services offices and out in the field
Members have reported increased incidents where staff have been filmed and the video uploaded to social media. Signs are now up in offices to let visitors know that it is unlawful to record conversations, and take photos or videos, without consent. For members out in the field, the advice is to remind anyone who is recording that they do not have your permission to do so. Any incidents should be reported through Safety Suite and shared with the PSA. The department is seeking further advice on the matter.
The next Homes NSW JCC meeting is scheduled for November. Members are encouraged to attend members’ meetings at the local level to discuss the workplace matters directly affecting them.
Contacts
Bernadette McMahon Homes NSW Departmental Committee Chair
PSA Industrial Staff