Year	Information
2025	October 2025: NSW Prison Officers walk off the job statewide for 24 hours in protect at lenient sentencing after four Prison Officers were assaulted at Cessnock Correctional Centre.
2025	October 2025: The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) announces a $20m budget cut, with up to 370 jobs at risk. The PSA’s EPA Departmental Committee makes plans for industrial action.
2025	October 2025: The union’s Higher Education Representation Council (HERC) which represents members working in the state’s 11 public universities and the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) visited the Federal Education minister Jason Clare in Canberra  to discuss job cuts in the university sector.
2025	October 2025: The NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) finds it unlawful to punish a union delegate for speaking to the media about an industrial campaign. Fisheries Delegate Joe Wright was found to be victimised by the  former Director of the Fisheries Compliance Unit because he participated in the PSA’s media and industrial campaign to improve workplace safety.
2025	October 2025: The PSA held its biannual Mental Health Conference on 15 October 2025, under the theme Healthy Minds, Stronger Communities.
2025	October 2025:  PSA continued conciliation in the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) over the proposed cut of 950 Transport Senior Service Manager (TSSM) and Award-grade roles. Transport for NSW agreed not to externally advertise ongoing Award-grade vacancies until 30 March 2026. Critical roles will first go through internal recruitment, giving PSA members priority.
2025	September 2025: The PSA pushes back strongly on large-scale cuts at Transport for NSW, with 950 roles slated to go. The union secures concessions that protect internal applicants and limit external hiring.
2025	September 2025: Junee Correctional Centre is officially handed over to the public sector.
2025	September 2025: After years of campaigning by the PSA, the Great Koala National Park is announced. The park will reserve 176,000 hectares of state forest and connect with existing national parks to create a 476,000-hectare reserve – one of the largest in NSW. This park will protect more than 12,000 koalas, 36,000 Greater Gliders and habitat for over 100 other threatened species
2025	September 2025: The annual PSA CPSU NSW Women’s Conference celebrates 95 years of Women’s Council. Themed 95 Years Strong, it features an array of union and government speakers.
2025	August 2025: Supported by PSA members in other workplaces, staff at the Art Gallery of NSW stage a lunch-time walk out to protest against job cuts slated for the institution. The event gets widespread media coverage.
2025	August 2025: ACTU calls for legislation or policy to allow a shorter work week (four days) without loss of pay.
2025	August 2025: CPSU NSW Branch Secretary Stewart Little, CPSU NSW Assistant Branch Secretary Troy Wright and CPSU NSW President Nicole Jess re-elected for another term.
2025	August 2025: Stewart Little elected Federal Secretary of the CPSU SPSF federal office.
2025	August 2025: CPSU NSW secures 12% pay increase over 3 years for members at Serco’s Clarence Correctional Centre.
2025	August 2025: The Industrial Relations and Other Legislation Amendment (Workplace Protections) Bill 2025 passed in NSW Parliament. This is described as the biggest increase in working rights in over 30 years. Key components include: gender equity and safer workplaces in public sector and local government; enforceable safety rights; stronger powers to deal with workplace bullying & harassment; ability to dispute unsafe return to work; more accountability for safety regulators.
2025	July 2025: Paid parental leave entitlements expanded to 24 weeks starting 1 July 2025, with a planned increase to 26 weeks by 2026.
2025	July 2025: NSW Public Servants receive 3% pay rise plus super increase to 12% from 1 July 2025.
2025	June 2025: PSA’s “Child Protection in Crisis” campaign win includes $190m to recruit 200 new Child Protection caseworkers and retain existing workers with increased pay.
2025	June 2025: Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 introduced on 27 May 2025 has faced strong opposition from the PSA and other unions, citing concerns over reduced support for workers with psychological injuries.
2025	June 2025: Industrial Relations and Other Legislation Amendment (Workplace Protections) Bill 2025 was passed by the NSW Parliament on 27 June 2025, this legislation introduces significant reforms including compliance with Work Health and Safety (WHS) Codes of Practice, expands union rights to initiate WHS prosecutions and exercise right of entry, establishes new anti-bullying and sexual harassment jurisdiction within the NSW Industrial Relations Commission for workers not covered by the Fair Work Act and enhances powers for the Commission to address WHS matters.
2025	May 2025: PSA Legal Counsel Alison McRobert appointed NSW Industrial Relations Commissioner.
2025	May 2025: PSA CPSU NSW Annual Conference 2025 opened by NSW Premier Chris Minns. This was his fourth year attending our Annual Conference.
2025	May 2025: Australia held its federal election on May 3, 2025. The Albanese-led Labor government secured a decisive majority, while the Liberal Party and the Greens experienced significant losses.
2025	April 2025: PSA campaigns for better pay for NSW public service Psychologists.
2025	April 2025: Stewart Little re-elected PSA General Secretary for another four-year term. Nicole Jess re-elected PSA President. Troy Wright re-elected AGS. 39 Central Councillors elected.
2025	April 2025: After years of PSA campaigning, the privately run Junee Correctional Centre was handed over to Corrective Services NSW.
2025	March 2025: PSA is fighting to have casual Field Officers recognised as ongoing employees. We are currently in dispute with Corrective Services NSW.
2025	March 2025: CPSU NSW will campaign against 155-185 Professional Staff job cut announced by Wollongong University.
2025	March 2025: Rural Fire Service of NSW members vote to accept $5m payment to settle backpay dispute.
2025	March 2025: After years of campaigning by the PSA, the Minns Government announces return of Parklea Correctional Centre back into public hands.
2025	March 2025: PSA is working with the government on a new Award for Child Protection workers.
2025	March 2025: NSW Minns Governement and Federal Albanese Government agree $4.8b funding boost for public schools.
2025	February 2025: Housing and cost of living continue to dominate political discourse.
2024	December 2024: After a long PSA campaign, Sherrif’s Officers win pay regrading offer.
2024	December 2024: ABS confirms union membership is on the rise with an additional 200,000 members nationally since Oct 2022.
2024	November 2024: The current Minns Labor government has pledged not to privatise public services, but the PSA continues to promote our anti-privatisation message. Our goal is to make sure that the failures of privatisation in NSW are fully understood and to discourage any future government of adopting a privatisation agenda.
2024	November 2024: PSA CPSU NSW Aboriginal Conference 2024 held in Newcastle.
2024	October 2024: The Minns Government has committed to expeditious negotiations with the PSA regarding a new Fisheries Award.
2024	September 2024: PSA is currently running several campaigns: Child Protection in Crisis, Sheriff’s Officers’ Undervalued, Understaffed, Underpaid campaign, as well as campaigns on behalf of Special Constables, Fisheries Officers, Psychologists and others.
2024	August 2024: Public Sector pay negotiations continue. Premier Minns wants public servants back in the office but PSA says Working From Home (WFH) is here to stay for many members. Right to Disconnect law passed. City and Southwest Metro opens. Gender pay gap is slowly closing after years of union campaigning but still much more to do. Road death toll increase for the year is shocking. Gov needs to do much more on road safety. PSA’s Junee office opens.
2024	July 2024: Housing and Cost of Living continue to be a major concern to most Australians. Sheriff’s Officers take industrial action as part of the PSA’s Undervalued, Understaffed, Underpaid campaign. PSA WIN for members in Transport (link to bulletin). Child Protection workers continue walkouts across the state. PSA runs Domestic and Family Violence campaign calling on government for better funding, more support for victims and harsher penalties for offenders. PSA campaigns to keep Mount Druitt DV centre staffed and open. Industrial Court re-established in Bridge St, Sydney.
2024	June 2024: PSA pushes for improved public service pay offer for 2024.  NSW Parliament creates Industrial Manslaughter laws after years of union campaigning. Unions call for an end to “Junior Wages” for workers aged 18-21. Essential workers leaving Sydney for other states (especially Queensland) as housing becomes too expensive for those on the median salary. State Budget includes record funding for “social housing”. After the PSA’s anti-privatisation message at the 2023 state election, the privatisation of public services and assets appears to be extremely unpopular with NSW voters. Private schools continue to be over funded while public schools are underfunded.
2024	June 2024: PSA pushes for improved public service pay offer for 2024.
2024	May 2024: Launch of PSA campaign “Crisis in Child Protection”. The PSA is demanding better wages and conditions for Child Protection Caseworkers as the government finds it impossible to recruit and retain Child Protection workers. With a huge number of vacancies and wages that have not kept up with the private sector, thousands of children at risk are being left without support. Hundreds of foster children are living in motels with private sector contract workers. PSA and other unions win tougher laws on knife crime. PSA campaigns for tougher sentencing for domestic and family violence offenders. PSA Annual Conference celebrates 125th anniversary.
2024	April 2024: Average house prices and weekly rents hit new record pushing more people into homelessness and keeping the cost of living as the number one issue for most Australians.  Floods again bring PSA members in SES to the rescue. The Minns government announces $148m in education budget cuts due to falling public school enrolments.
2024	April 2024: Child Protection workers begin to take industrial action in specific locations with a state-wide walkout planned for 8 May.
2024	March 2024: The Federal Labor government announces super will be paid on federal paid parental leave. PSA partners with OSARA Health to offer members and their families cancer care.
2024	February 2024: The Powerhouse Museum closes for refurbishment. PSA protests the lack of a plan and the relocation of members to other sites.
2024	February 2024: PSA continues to campaign for better pay and job security for members working in several agencies, including the Sheriff’s Office and Special Constables. After many years of getting nowhere with the Coalition government, the PSA’s more productive relationship with the Minns government is more likely to yield results.
2023	December 2023:The PSA’s Child Protection in Crisis campaign starts to take shape.
2023	December 2023: While prices continued to rise for most goods and services, annual CPI inflation has fallen from a peak of 7.8 per cent in December 2022, to 4.1 per cent in December 2023.
2023	November 2023: After years of PSA campaigning against private prisons, the NSW Government announces that Junee Correctional Centre will come into the public sector once the current private contract expires in early 2025. The PSA will continue to campaign for the return of Parklea Correctional Centre.
2023	October 2023: Australian Indigenous Voice referendum was held on 14 October 2023. NO Vote was 60 per cent.
2023	August 2023: PSA campaigns for a YES vote in the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum.
2023	June 2023: NSW Government offers a 4.5 per cent wage increase (including 0.5 per cent superannuation increase). This is accepted by the PSA membership. This is the highest annual wage rise in 20 years.
2023	May 2023: The PwC tax scandal is an ongoing scandal involving PwC’s abuse of Australian Government secrets to enrich itself and its corporate clients. PwC, and other Big Four accounting firms, give advice to governments on writing tax law, and also corporations seeking to avoid those laws. The PSA opposes the inappropriate use of consultants and believes public service work should be done by public servants. The PSA is pushing the government to cease the improper use of consultants.
2023	May 2023: The PSA wins permanent positions for thousands of schools’ members.
2023	May 2023: Australia is experiencing a cost-of-living crisis brought on by high inflation and years of stagnant wage growth. New NSW premier Chris Minns and a number of ministers attend PSA Annual Conference signalling a much-improved relationship between the PSA and government. The NSW Government amends the state constitution to protect Sydney Water and Hunter Water from future privatisation.
2023	May 2023: WHO declares end to covid emergency. Estimated 20 million people dead.
2023	April 2023: The PSA also called on both major parties to convert thousands of temporary staff in schools into ongoing permanent positions.
2023	April 2023: During the state election campaign, the PSA campaigned around several issues including the following: The restoration of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC); The scrapping of the wages cap and the “efficiency dividend”; A commitment to job security with no forced redundancies; An end to the inappropriate use of casuals, temporary staff, labour hire and consultants; The repeal of the Government Sector Employment (GSE) Act, replacing it with modern legislation in consultation with public sector unions.
2023	March 2023: Labor wins the NSW state election on 25 March 2023 with a minority government, ending 12 years of Liberal-National coalition government. Chris Minns becomes the 47th Premier of NSW.
2023	March 2023: Unions NSW are running their own campaign, Essential Workers Deserve Better, but have also embraced the PSA’s Privatisation Hurts Everyone campaign, in particular, our campaign against the possible privatisation of Sydney Water. The public almost unanimously are outraged by the suggestion that water could be privatised.
2023	February 2023:  The PSA’s seven-week state election campaign, Privatisation Hurts Everyone, kicked off in early Feb. After years of campaigning against the privatisation of public services and assets, the general public’s perception of how privatisation has had a negative impact on public services and how the sale of public assets has only ever transferred public wealth into private hands is finally being better understood. PSA’s TV ads go live on social media (Facebook and YouTube) and later during Channel Nine 6pm news. https://psa.asn.au/privatisation-hurts-everyone/videos/ The NSW Labor Opposition is campaigning against privatisation, having often been in favour of it when they were last in government.
2022	December 2022: PSA commissions two TV ads as part of our state election campaign.
2022	Australia has experienced almost 10 million cases of COVID-19 with a total of 13,000 deaths. Lismore Flood Inquiry makes a number of recommendations and is critical of government failures. Government announces it will axe Resilience NSW and considers merging certain functions of the SES and RFS.
2022	PSA Day of Action around the state. Thousands of members strike in support of the PSA’s The Public Sector Needs a Pay Rise campaign.
2022	In May, the Australian Labor Party, led by Anthony Albanese, wins the federal election.
2022	The Public Sector Needs a Pay Rise campaign launched as the cost of living starts to increase at a much higher rate than experienced for many years. The PSA continues to campaign for the Coalition government’s public sector wage cap to be removed and that the power to set wage increases is handed back to the NSW Industrial Relations Commission.
2022	PSA announces financial support for members impacted by floods, similar to the support offered during the bushfires in 2020.
2022	Lismore floods on 28 Feb peaking at a record 14.4 metres. Lismore flooded again on 30 March.
2022	COVID-19 infections jump up dramatically in January 2022 with the pandemic continuing to impact on all aspects of life in Australia.
2021	NSW Police announces closure of Police Radio at Penrith putting 70 jobs in jeopardy. After a quick, well-organised PSA campaign, the Police cancelled the move.
2021	When Premier Gladys Berejiklian resigns over ICAC investigations, she is replaced by Dominic Perrottet, a zealous advocate for privatising state assets.
2021	PSA pressure forces then Treasurer Dominic Perrottet to abandon his plan to limit the public sector pay rise to 1.5 per cent.
2021	NSW undergoes a more severe lockdown, which starts in June and is tapered out by December. Large numbers of people work from home, an option not available to many PSA CPSU NSW members. COVID-19 is largely kept out of prisons, with a breakout in September contained.
2021	The PSA CPSU NSW election, postponed due to COVID-19, is held. Stewart Little is re-elected as  General Secretary, with Troy Wright returned as Assistant General Secretary. The membership elects a new President; Nicole Jess from Corrective Services.
2020	PSA Women’s Council Celebrates 90 years
2020	Union pressure and the aftermath of bushfires keeps Forestry Corporation of NSW in public hands.
2020	After a sustained campaign by the PSA and other groups the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo is saved from closure.
2020	A number of PSA members in Police Aviation get a huge windfall when thousands of dollars in underpayments are discovered.
2020	The CPSU NSW gets coverage in the state’s newest – and largest – prison, the Clarence Correctional Centre.
2020	COVID-19 forces a lockdown in NSW. Union members in prisons take steps to keep the pandemic out of gaols, while schools throughout NSW switch to home-learning. Events such as PSA CPSU NSW Annual Conference, and the election for union officeholders are cancelled.
2020	As COVID-19 arrives in Australia, members work on through a pandemic, both in the community and working from home. The Association’s membership  climbs back over 38,000.
2020	Fires grip large parts of NSW. PSA CPSU NSW members in the Rural Fire Service, Forestry Corp, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Corrective Services, Housing and Fire & Rescue are put to work fighting the blazes and helping in their aftermath. Sadly, a member from TAFE is among the 34 people killed.