As detailed in our most recent bulletin, on 10 December 2025, the Public Service Association (PSA) notified an industrial dispute against the Industrial Relations Secretary in the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) concerning the terms of a new Psychologists’ Award.

On 12 December 2025, representatives of the PSA appeared in the IRC at the first conciliation. No agreement was reached between the PSA and the Secretary concerning the interim relief that was sought by the PSA.

The outcome of the conciliation is that the IRC has made the following recommendations under section 134 of the Industrial Relations Act 1996 (IR Act):

1. Recommends that the Crown provide its representative in these proceedings, the Industrial Relations Secretary, bargaining parameters in relation to the Notifier’s salary and conditions claim concerning the Psychologists Award by no later than 16 March 2026.
2. Recommends that the Industrial Relations Secretary provide a response to the Notifier concerning whether cl 14 of the Government Sector Employment Regulation 2014 (NSW) empowers an agency head to accelerate the increment of an employee to an increment above the next increment due to the employee by no later than 28 January 2026.
3. Recommends that the Industrial Relations Secretary provide a response to the Notifier concerning whether cl 36 of the Government Sector Employment (NSW Police Force) Rules 2017 (NSW) empowers the Commissioner of Police to accelerate the increment of an employee to an increment above the next increment due to the employee by no later than 28 January 2026.
4. Recommends that the relevant agency head consider the recommendations for acceleration of increments for Psychologists A to D, as contained in the dispute notification filed on 5 December 2025, and provide a response to the Notifier by no later than 11 February 2026.

Whilst recommendations made under section 134 of the IR Act are not binding, the Commission may have regard to any failure of the Secretary to comply with the recommendation and this may be taken into account by the Commission when exercising the Commission’s functions – including in the arbitration of the matter.

The dispute is listed before the Commission on 13 February 2026, however, the parties are able to request to bring this listing forward and the PSA may seek to do so.

The PSA is continuing to meet with PSIR to continue discussions concerning the Psychologists Award and the last meeting for the year will occur on 18 December 2025.

Psychologists are undervalued and underpaid in the Public Service and the PSA will continue to fight for recognition of the integral and crucial work that you perform.

Your Psychologists Advisory Group

Amy Sowerby Corrective Services
Mary Sanna Corrective Services
Samantha Sharp Child Protection
Gemma Clarke Child Protection
Ruth Marshall Youth Justice
Rebekah Green Youth Justice
Zoe Harrison Police

Your PSA Industrial Staff

Thane Pearce Industrial Specialist

Chris Auld Senior Organiser