Background
For months, Legal Aid NSW (LANSW) has advised the PSA that it has been reviewing the Technology and Digital Services (TDS) structure and roles and on 20 October 2026, Legal Aid initiated the restructure. The PSA was invited to observe the TDS Staff Restructure briefing.
At the staff briefing session, the PSA did raise concerns around the short window for consultation noting that other recent restructures at Legal Aid have seen a four-week consultation period which the PSA views should be the minimum period during restructures.
Consultation processes
A two-week consultation period provides very little time for the PSA to be able to effectively engage, collate feedback and make submissions to management. It may well be that this was Legal Aid management’s plan from the start.
A member meeting was called for Thursday 29 October 2026 and within the members meeting it was clearly expressed that the PSA should request a two-week extension to Legal Aid management.
Within the meeting we invited questions, comments and feedback from you and asked that it be provided as soon as possible for lodging with Legal Aid on Monday, 2 November 2026.
The PSA regrets if the time frames imposed for consultation by Legal Aid management prevented any member from participating in the PSA’s collective submission. However, members who were able to participate by co-ordinating and collating locally, providing feedback and questions – a heartfelt thank you.
Legal Aid
Barely scraping in, LANSW met with the PSA on Friday, 30 October 2026 to tick the box on “consultation” with the union.
As determined by the member meeting, the PSA sought a reasonable extension for the consultation period of two weeks. The PSA pointed out that other “root and branch” restructures had allowed for a four-week consultation period.
Legal Aid management declined. As the TDS restructure is not about making budget savings, in fact, more roles are in the new structure, the refusal of a reasonable two-week extension to allow for genuine consultation to occur is both illogical and baseless.
The PSA submitted a seven-page document which members can view HERE.
Consultation closed at 5:00 pm on 2 November.
If you have feedback and have not yet provided it to Legal Aid management, the PSA encourages you to do so and have your say.
What’s next?
The PSA submission to Legal Aid included some 90 questions and we have requested that Legal Aid management formally respond in writing by close of business 4 November 2026.
Once Legal Aid management have responded to the PSA submission, we will circulate their response to members.
Are your membership details up to date?
In arranging the members’ meeting, the PSA received feedback from members about not getting the MSTeams invite.
Updating your contact details is probably the last thing most members think of while having a busy work and home life.
If your contact details are not current, you’ll miss out on important union news. You can contact membership on 1300 772 679.
Take five minutes and check your details are up to date.
Contacts
Anthony Wright Industrial Officer
Sally Deans Legal Aid DC Chair