The Department of Education has lodged an application this week for a new School Psychologists’ Salaries Award in the Industrial Relations Commission to replace the s52 Determination which has determined your Salaries to date.

The PSA has not agreed to the application but is currently negotiating with the Department and is hopeful of a good outcome for our members. The parties are in agreement on the salary increase to be applicable, being the maximum allowable under the under the NSW Wages Policy, being 2.5 per cent per annum.

Negotiations have been underway throughout November and your representatives met with the Department this week, on Tuesday 14 December 2021, for further without prejudice discussions concerning the proposed award.

As a School Psychologist, your conditions of employment are governed by the Government Sector Employment Act (“GSE”) (2013) and GSE Regulations (2014) together with the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Reviewed Award 2009; and a School Psychologists Salaries Award will not remove any of the applicable conditions.

We expect that Award negotiations will continue into 2022 and any proposed award will be put to members for consideration and a vote before it is accepted. The PSA has delegate representation in all meetings and will continue to voice the concerns of our members and represent members’ interests.

Since the Government failed to ensure your 2021 pay increase was paid on time, delayed by seven months this year, the PSA continues to strongly advocate for your 2022 pay rise to be administered on time, irrespective of whether we reach agreement on the terms of a Salaries award by then. The PSA believes your wage increase of 2.5 per cent should be paid on time, from the first full pay period after 1 January 2022.