The PSA attended a meeting with the Service NSW leadership team on 12 January 2022 to be briefed on the responses that have had to be put in place due to the Omicron outbreak.

One of the significant impacts on all areas at the moment is staffing and at this time Service NSW has reported that up to 17 per cent of staff are currently unavailable.

Understandably this is having an impact on all operations and decisions to either close centres or reduce opening hours are made on case by case basis.

In response to this Service NSW has assured the PSA of the following:

All previous COVID-19 measures including Security Staff, Hygiene Staff and social distancing along with face masks and other COVID-safety measures remain in place.

Service Centres

A Hub and Spoke model has been implemented for the Sydney metropolitan region with a preference to keep the larger service centres open and close smaller centres and relocate staff.

Members are reminded that there are Award provisions for travel away from your normal headquarters and we are advised that this is being provided to staff.

Driver Testing

With changes to PCR testing the previous protocol for non-vaccinated applicants has been revised. They are now required to provide photographic evidence of a negative RAT alongside their License to be able to take the driving test.

Additional PPE including seat covers and sanatiser is still available. PSA Delegates have also asked for consideration of the use of N95 or P2 face masks over the current surgical or cloth masks and the PSA will make further representations to Service NSW for our members on this point.

Contact Centres

Where possible the preference is to have staff work from home. For those areas where that is not possible – specifically the Roads teams, Service NSW has been providing staff with RAT so they can self-screen themselves.

This has been in place at both Newcastle and Parramatta and will be extended to the Roads Teams in Maitland and Gosford.

All other COVID-19 measures such as QR codes, face masks and 1.5m social distancing remain in place.

Pandemic Special Leave – C2021-14 Employment Arrangements during COVID-19

Members are reminded that the pandemic special leave arrangements are still in place, members who test positive to COVID-19 will have to use sick leave in the first instance but if that is exhausted or if you are having to care for a family member or are excluded from attending work you may be eligible for the special leave.

PSA Support

Unfortunately, this is not how we would have liked our first communication with you in 2022 to have gone. The current situation is rapidly evolving and we will get relevant information out to members as it comes to hand.

As a member please don’t forget that your union is only a phone call or email away if you have any concerns or questions please do contact us by phone 1300 772 679 or by email