The PSA has secured an important commitment from NSW Trustee & Guardian (NSW TAG) following concerns raised about the organisation’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy.
The current AI Policy came into effect on 24 April 2025 without consultation with the PSA.
The PSA reminded NSW TAG of its obligations to consult with the Association under Clause 65 of the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Reviewed Award 2009, which provides for effective consultation, both formal and informal, between management and the Association on matters of mutual interest and concern.
Your union, together with your Departmental Committee Delegate Glen Kirk, met with the NSW TAG People & Culture Team on 5 August 2026 to discuss the AI Policy and the PSA’s concerns.
The PSA raised significant concerns about:
- the lack of consultation before the current policy was implemented
- the level of responsibility placed on individual employees
- employee accountability for AI-generated content
- the need for comprehensive and ongoing training
- the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated content, particularly when used in assessments, reports, client summaries and referrals
- the potential for AI to increase workloads where employees are required to check, verify and correct AI-generated material.
NSW TAG acknowledged that consultation with the PSA did not occur during the development of the original policy and that consultation should have taken place. The People & Culture Team subsequently raised the PSA’s concerns and feedback with the owner of the document. Following these discussions, NSW TAG has confirmed that a new AI Policy is currently being drafted.
The PSA appreciates the constructive and collaborative approach taken by the People & Culture Team in listening to our concerns and taking our feedback seriously. We value the opportunity to work collaboratively with the team to ensure the interests of members are properly considered.
A new policy is being developed
NSW TAG has advised that the new policy is being developed using the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) AI policy framework.
NSW TAG has indicated that the revised policy will incorporate feedback raised by the PSA.
Most importantly, NSW TAG has confirmed that the new draft policy will be subject to formal consultation with staff and the PSA before it is finalised.
This is an important development and reflects the PSA’s position that employees and their union must have a meaningful opportunity to provide input into policies that affect their work and responsibilities.
The PSA will continue to advocate for:
- clear organisational responsibility and accountability for the use of AI
- comprehensive, ongoing and role-specific training for employees
- clear guidance about appropriate and inappropriate uses of AI
- appropriate protections for employees where AI-generated content is inaccurate
- recognition of the additional workload involved in checking and correcting AI-generated material
- safeguards to ensure employees are not unfairly subjected to disciplinary or performance action because of errors arising from inadequate training, unclear guidance, or the limitations of AI technology.
Your voice matters: consultation is coming
The PSA considers NSW TAG’s commitment to a formal consultation process to be an important development.
The new AI Policy has not yet been finalised. Once the draft is provided, the PSA will review it and consult with members before providing our final position to NSW TAG.
The PSA will keep fighting for members
The PSA will continue to advocate for members to ensure that the introduction and use of AI does not unfairly increase employees’ responsibilities, accountability or workloads without appropriate training, support, and protections. We will also advocate for AI to be implemented in a way that protects jobs, skills, and employment opportunities, rather than being used to replace or displace workers.
PSA contacts
For further information or assistance, please contact:
Tracey Valentino
Acting Industrial Officer
When the consultation opens, we want to hear from you. Your feedback will help shape the PSA’s response to the new AI Policy.