PSA Psychologists – Log of Claims – Bulletin and Survey - Public Service Association

PSA Psychologists – Log of Claims – Bulletin and Survey

Since 1 May 2024, the PSA has been engaged in without prejudice discussions with the NSW Government concerning the necessary improvements required to the Crown Employees (Psychologists) Award (Psychologists Award).

In order to inform these discussions, the PSA created the Psychologists Working Group (Working Group) which was comprised of delegates and members from Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW), Youth Justice NSW (YJNSW), NSW Police Force (NSWPF) and Community Services (Comm Services). The Working Group has informed negotiations and discussions between NSW Public Sector Industrial Relations (PSIR) and the PSA to date, including by providing regular feedback and consultation on the PSA’s proposed classification structure, salary rates sought and the proposed improvements to conditions of employment.

In order to progress discussions with finality, the PSA seeks feedback and endorsement of its Log of Claims. The Log of Claims is being distributed in two parts, to allow membership time to consider both sections in detail. Part 1 of the Log of Claims identifies the PSA’s salaries claim, classification structure and salary related conditions. The second part will identify the proposed conditions of employment which the PSA proposes to include in an application for a new Psychologists Award.

If the PSA and the NSW Government do not reach agreement concerning a new Psychologists Award, including salary rates, the PSA’s claims for the Psychologists Award will need to be arbitrated and determined by the Industrial Relations Commission (Commission). The primary task of the Commission is to set fair and reasonable conditions of employment. It does so primarily by making and varying awards in accordance with the Industrial Relations Act 1996. The Award Making Principles established by the Commission guide the exercise of discretion which is to be exercised when the Commission makes or varies awards. In any arbitration of the Psychologists Award, the PSA must satisfy the Commission that its proposed award will set fair and reasonable conditions.

On 23 April 2025, a bulletin was circulated seeking members reach out to the relevant members of the Working Group to assist in informing the PSA’s claims based on Work Value. The link to this bulletin is HERE. If you want to assist the PSA’s claim and have not already reached out to the Working Group, please contact them as soon as possible.

Next Steps

The PSA’s Log of Claims will be made available in two parts. Part 1 is available [HERE] and Part 2 will be available by close of business 20 May 2025.

In respect of Part 1, members are encouraged to provide feedback in respect of the proposed classification structure, salary claim and salary related conditions by completing this Survey [HERE]. This survey will close on 23 May 2025.

In respect of Part 2, members will be sent a further survey to provide feedback by 20 May 2025 and this survey will close on 30 May 2025.

The feedback of members will be considered and, as appropriate, amendments will be made to the PSA’s Log of Claims. As noted above, the PSA must satisfy the Commission that its claims for the Psychologists Award set fair and reasonable conditions of employment. As such, we request that members consider this when providing feedback on Part 1 of the Log of Claims and note that this will be the primary consideration when the PSA reviews members’ feedback. Once any necessary amendments have been made, a finalised Log of Claims will be circulated to membership for endorsement.

Only members of the PSA are entitled to provide feedback and vote to endorse the PSA’s Log of Claims. If you are not already a member, now is the time to join the PSA.

 

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