As a result of the PSA “Child Protection in Crisis” campaign the PSA have been involved in intensive discussions around the making of a new stand-alone Child Protection Award.

Today the PSA received a formal proposal for the making of a Crown Employees (Child Protection) Award for a three year period from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2028. You can view the offer documentation HERE.

The new Award provides for the following:

• New Graduate Caseworker role – the creation of a new Graduate Caseworker role remunerated at a rate equivalent to a Clerk Grade 4
• Revised Caseworker salary range – The salary range for a Caseworker is proposed to be amended to a new range that is equivalent to a Clerk Grade 5-7. The existing barrier for movement between Clerk Grade 6 and Clerk Grade 7 will no longer exist and staff will move through the Caseworker salary range via standard annual incremental progression.
• Two increment advancement for current staff at Grade 4, Grade 5 and Grade 6 – As at 1 July 2025 staff who are at Grade 4 maximum (who did not benefit from the Determination at the end of 2024), Grade 5 and Grade 6 will all be automatically advanced two incremental points and retain their existing annual incremental date. This is a significant benefit resulting in staff moving two full steps forward in the incremental range. Staff will also in the same year, move a further increment in line with standard annual incremental progression and provisions. Staff who as at 1 July 2025 are at Grade 7 minimum will immediately advance to Grade 7 maximum.
• The creation of a Leading Caseworker position – DCJ proposes to create 100 leading caseworker roles. This role will be renumerated at a rate equivalent to Clerk Grade 8.
• New grading for Manager Casework – The Manager Casework grading is proposed to be revised from a salary equivalent of a Clerk Grade 9 to a salary equivalent of a Clerk Grade 9/10.
• New Overtime provisions – A new overtime clause will apply enshrining the ability to be paid at overtime rates for Caseworker Entry-Level, Caseworker, Casework Support Officers and Managers Casework after 9 hours of continuous work (excluding meal break) where work is required and/or directed.
• No more forfeited hours – Where hours worked exceed the carry forward balance for the settlement period, and those hours worked cannot reasonably be taken as flextime or otherwise reduced before the end of the settlement period, overtime rates will apply. Forfeiture of excess hours worked would therefore be avoided, as the Department will face a financial penalty for all forfeited hours.
• Workload planner to be resolved – DCJ has agreed that within 12 months of the making of the new Award a new Workload Planner tool will be implemented.
• Aboriginal Casework staff – There is no change to the qualification requirements for identified Aboriginal roles into the future. No agreement has been reached on whether a new role description for Aboriginal staff is required, however the parties have agreed that further discussions are needed to recognise that staff in Aboriginal identified roles who carry a cultural load must have a connection to the community in which they work. Further consultation will occur within 12 months of making of the new Award.
• Administrative staff in CSCs – DCJ has agreed to continue negotiations with the PSA to review the placement and allocation of administrative staff in each of the roles across the State with a view to providing role clarity between roles remunerated at a Clerk 1/2, Clerk 3/4 and Clerk 5/6.
• Casework Support Workers – DCJ have committed to continue working with the PSA on a comprehensive review into the tasks and expectations of the Casework Support role description with the aim of standardisation of practices across the state.

New Award – how will it affect my remuneration?

Please see below how the proposed new Award will affect you, based on your current increment.

Existing Caseworkers

New Leading Caseworker Role

Manager Casework Regrading

Next steps

The PSA will be putting the proposed Award out for vote for PSA members only next week. If you want to have a vote on your working conditions and remuneration, ensure you are a financial member of the PSA by close of business Tuesday 1 July 2025.

PSA meetings

The PSA will be holding a number of meetings with members around this significant reform for Child Protection workers before voting opens. All meetings will be held via Microsoft Teams.

We have scheduled information sessions for:

Thursday 26 June 2025

Meeting 1
Time 12:00pm -1:00pm
Link Join the meeting now
Meeting ID 420 116 716 601 7
Passcode 8tj6du79

Meeting 2
Time 3pm -4pm
Link Join the meeting now
Meeting ID 424 996 301 117 2
Passcode ZM7Md65T

Friday 27 June 2025

Meeting 3
Time 9:00am-10:00am
Link Join the meeting now
Meeting ID 470 593 176 433 8
Passcode g62Fy2os

Meeting 4
Time 1:00pm -2:00pm
Link Join the meeting now
Meeting ID 429 102 291 714 1
Passcode GL3pE6S6

Monday 30 June 2025

Meeting 5
Time 3:00pm -4:00pm
Link Join the meeting now
Meeting ID 422 499 194 430 5
Passcode 7v2qZ95G

Meeting 6
Time 7:00pm-8:00pm
Link Join the meeting now
Meeting ID 435 866 020 223 8
Passcode oK3qb9Qi

Tuesday 1 July 2025

Meeting 7
Time 10:00am-11:00am
Link Join the meeting now
Meeting ID 467 406 689 579 5
Passcode nd2hK3zK

Meeting 8
Time 12:00pm-1:00pm
Link Join the meeting now
Meeting ID 439 777 735 382 9
Passcode sB7Xv97b