PSA Community Services update for Northern NSW, Mid North Coast and New England

  5 May 2026

The quarterly Joint Consultative Committee meeting (JCC) for Community Services was held on the 30 March for Northern NSW, Mid North Coast and New England and was attended by the Public Service Association (PSA), your elected delegates and Department of Communities and Justice of New South Wales (DJC) leadership where discussions continued regarding a few of the key points below.

Working from home office allowance

The PSA have requested that members to be paid the award allowance for working from home when an office is not available. We have requested this for Ballina Community Service Centre, Queensland interstate Team (QIT) and New England sites. It been incredibly frustrating for our delegates who have been pushing for a response to this for way too long. PSA have been provided conflicting information as to what has been approved and not. Acting Executive District Director (a/EDD) Jude Townsend has taken this matter on notice to and will provide an answer out of session. Last week the PSA have written to a/EDD requesting an update. Crickets…

S91B responses

DCJ have stated that this is a statewide issue and while we agree that it needs to be dealt at a state level, the PSA wanted to know how the workload to complete these was being managed in the district. The a/EDD said that this has not been brought to her attention whilst in her position at a/EDD and Director and acknowledged that there is a significant impact on workloads. As this issue has been on the agenda for a while, the PSA has agreed to seek an update from our members as to how the workload is being managed in the district.

The PSA requests Manager Casework to reach out to your Regional Organiser Rebecca Reilly with an update as to the current workload and how it’s being managed at your Community Service Centre?

Flexible Work Policy

The PSA have been requesting a clear definition of “frontline” staff as mentioned in the Flexible work Policy. The PSA was promised by EDD Nicola Jeffers over a year ago that cascading information will come from the Deputy Secretary. This has not eventuated and has resulted in our members being confused and management throwing out the line when it suits them to deny Working from Home (WFH) as staff in Child Protection are front line. Human Resources (HR) have taken an action to seek a definitive statewide advice regarding this policy in relation to Child Protection and Permanency (CPP). The PSA asked a/EDD to write to staff and clarify that the direction to work 9 to 5 was not correct and staff are entitled to their Flexible Working as per the award.

Fuel costs – supporting staff

Many of our members travel a reasonable distance to get to work and so fuel has a significant impact in the regions with no public transport. PSA asked how the district was supporting their staff increased flexibility. EDD and HR advised that they are awaiting further advice from the Deputy Secretary regarding contingency plans and state level support. In the meantime, a/EDD and HR haven encouraged staff to reach out to your MCS and request an individual flexible arrangements. If this is not supported then contact the PSA.

Staff in long term acting positions

Concerns raised for our members in long term acting positions regarding talent pools expiring and paused recruitment processes. PSA asked HR to confirm whether eligibility lists can be extended. HR to provide advice on talent pool extensions and MCW/MCS recruitment timelines.

Minutes from these meetings will no longer be linked to bulletins, your delegate has a copy and if they are not being sent to you contact them and ask to be put on their list.

PSA Regional Organisers

Stephen Mears

Mik Smart

Rebecca Reilly