SafeWork NSW PCard Dispute: PSA member update
4 May 2026
Thank you to all members who participated in the survey regarding the SafeWork NSW Inspectors’ PCard dispute. Ninety-seven per cent of respondents voted in favour of accepting SafeWork NSW’s offer. The PSA has now formally notified SafeWork NSW of this outcome.
What does this mean?
While the current dispute related specifically to Inspectors, the PSA will be making it clear at the JCC that these arrangements must be applied uniformly across SafeWork NSW and the new PCard Policy must align with Clause 26 of the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Reviewed Award and apply equally to those who are covered by the Award.
This issue has broader implications beyond Inspectors and beyond SafeWork NSW. The use of PCards (or similar purchasing arrangements) occurs across SafeWork NSW and throughout the NSW public service, and in many cases, this use has not complied with the current Award provisions.
Next steps
A Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting will be held tomorrow, where the PSA will raise and discuss the following:
- The need for any PCard policy to be fully compliant with the Award.
- The requirement for consistent application across all SafeWork NSW staff.
- Concerns raised by non‑Inspector staff who have contacted the PSA regarding their use of PCards.
- The broader implications of this issue across the NSW public service, particularly where similar arrangements exist.
Further updates will be provided as negotiations progress.
Contacts
Delegates
Maree Davidson Chair
Toni McKay Deputy Chair
Gavin Parker Secretary
Liam O’Dwyer Delegate
Kate Grajales Ochoa Delegate
Jodi Cleaves Delegate
Louisa Burns Delegate
PSA staff