The PSA is happy to be able to advise General Assistant and Farm Assistant members that the long awaited Laundry Allowance, with backpay from the beginning of the 2017 school year (27 January ) will be commencing payment.

The reason that backpay will be from the beginning of the 2017 school year is that Section 24 – Arrears of Income under the Limitation Act 1969 which provides:

(1) Subject to subsection (2) an action on a cause of action to recover arrears of income is not maintainable if brought after the expiration of a limitation period of six years running from the date on which the cause of action first accrues to the plaintiff or to a person through whom the plaintiff claims.

Due to the changes in payroll systems the backpay will be made in two installments. The first in the pay of 20 July and the second in the pay of 31 August.

You should check your payslip for the message about the allowance.

After the PSA lodged a dispute notice with the Department about the delay in paying the allowance and the backpay, the Department also agreed to consider payment for former employees. In correspondence to the PSA on 26 June 2023 the Department stated:

“On the matter of back payment of former employees who have separated since 2017, the Department will consider any back payment requests received from individual former employees.”

Formers employees should contact EDConnect on 1300 32 32 32 to make the request for backpay. The backpay will be from the beginning of the 2017 school year (27 January)

The Department sent the attached bulletin to Principals on Wednesday 19 July 2023. Click here.

If you have any queries about the backpay or the ongoing allowance please contact EDCconnect on 1300 32 32 32.

MEMBERS, PLEASE NOTE THE RECENT PUBLIC SECTOR PAY RISE 4 PER CENT INCREASE TO SALARY AND ALLOWANCES PLUS 0.5 PER CENT INCREASE TO SUPERANNUATION GUARANTEED APPLIES TO GENERAL ASSISTANTS AND FARM ASSISTANCE VIA THE CROWN EMPLOYEES SALARIES AWARD. PLEASE NOTE THE AWARD WAS VARIED ON THE 20 JULY 2023 FOR A 12 MONTH PERIOD.

Do you know someone who still needs to join the PSA?

You can support the work of the PSA and delegates to get better outcomes for everyone just by asking your colleagues to JOIN the PSA.

Your industrial contacts

General Assistant Organiser:             Peta Noke

General Assistant Industrial Officer: Sharny Chalmers

Member Support Centre:                    1300 772 679