Trade union training leave: An extra benefit for members
Dont let your Trade Union Training Leave entitlement go to waste!
Did you know that as a PSA member, you are entitled to 12 days of paid trade union training leave every two years? Or if youre a CPSU NSW member, most modern Enterprise Bargaining Agreement have a provision for trade union leave?
The trade union leave training schedule for the first half of the year is now up HERE.
Further dates will be added as required.
Introduction to the PSA
Ideally for brand new members, this course is perfect for new members, or members who want to know more before they get more involved.
Role of the Delegate
Role of the Delegate is a one-day course designed to give workplace delegates the skills and knowledge they need to build power at their workplaces. You will explore the importance of unions, history and the values that underpin them. You will develop your skills utilising tools such as mapping, recruitment conversations and problem-solving frameworks to build power.
This course is open to all members whether you are a delegate, thinking about becoming a delegate or would just like to know further about the role. Delegates that have attended this training before are welcome to come for a refresher.
Dealing with Workplace Issues
This course equips new delegates with skills and knowledge to assist members facing disciplinary action or experiencing workplace bullying. You will learn to apply the problem-solving framework when resolving members issues. You will be able to share and apply knowledge of rights and entitlements. You will develop plans when helping members with workplace disciplinary actions or bullying.
If you have any concerns or questions, please contact or . If you or your colleagues have specific union issues you wish to be trained about, please reach out. We can develop short lunch-time sessions that can be ran in your workplace on issues that matter to you.
Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport seeks alignment of Flexible Working Hours Agreements
On 10?March 2026 the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport (DCITHS) wrote to the PSA to advise that it wished to commence consultation with the PSA in relation to consolidating seven existing?Flexible Working Hours Agreements (FWHA) into one DCITHS FWHA.
The information provided included:
Draft proposed DCITHS Flexible Working Hours Agreement?SEE HERE
Current Flexible Working Hours Agreement comparison document?SEE HERE
?The PSA requested a meeting with the Department which occurred on 16?March for an update on the proposal. DCITHS advised that staff would be provided with the following briefings:
McKell Building
Wednesday 18 March 9:30AM 10:30am
(targeted towards all DCITHS employees)
80 George Street, Sydney
Wednesday 18 March 1:00pm 2:00pm
(targeted towards employees on DPE agreement)
McKell Building
Thursday 19 March 10:00am 11:00am
(targeted towards employees on DPE agreement)
80 George Street, Sydney
Friday 20 March 9:00am 10:00am
(targeted towards employees on DPE agreement)
The PSA advised DCITHS that the proposed consultation period which ends on 24 March was too short and we have requested an extension.
Today the Department has responded to advise the consultation period will be extended until Friday 27 March.
Once consultation is concluded negotiations will occur between the PSA and the Department in relation to this proposal.
The FWHAs proposal impacts members across DCITHS. It is divided up to the following Agencies:?
24 Hour, Screen and Sound ?
Corporate Services??????
Create NSW?????????????????????????
Destination NSW????????????????????????
Hospitality and Racing
Office of the Secretary
Member feedback required Please send your feedback to:?or 1800772679 by cob 27 March 2026. Please quote case ID C10016449
On 27 February 2026, the Public Service Association of NSW (PSA) attended a further conciliation conference at the Industrial Relations Commission regarding the Psychologists Award dispute.
PSA Proposal
The PSA asked the Industrial Relations Commissioner to make a recommendation that would provide interim relief to psychologists by providing a mechanism for agency heads to approve requests for psychologists to have increments accelerated. This was proposed as a short-term measure, alongside an interim attraction and retention allowance to help address the serious attraction and retention issues affecting psychologists in the NSW public service.
However, the Industrial Relations Secretary had already indicated that it would not support accelerated increments as an interim measure.
During the conference, the Crown Solicitors Office (CSO), representing the Secretary, confirmed that:
The Secretary opposed the recommendation to accelerate increments.
The Secretary believed this type of relief was not appropriate.
The Secretary argued that the making of any recommendation in which the Secretary acknowledged retention and attraction issues would prejudice it during any arbitration of the dispute.
The PSA made submissions to the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) highlighting that:
The State had previously not disputed the factual basis of the PSAs dispute notification that there is a serious attraction and retention crisis affecting public service psychologists.
It was concerning that the State now appeared to be stepping back from acknowledging these issues.
The State has not taken proactive steps to resolve the retention and attraction issues identified by the PSA in its dispute.
Addressing the crisis is in the interests of both psychologists and the State, as the retention and attraction crisis directly impacts the States ability to deliver critical services.
The IRC Commissioner ultimately did not make the recommendation.
Next Steps in the case
The PSA requested that the matter be formally timetabled for arbitration concerning an interim award creating an attraction and retention allowance for psychologists to ensure that progress towards a decision could continue without delay.
A hearing for the interim award application has been set down for 10 14 August and 17 August 2026. The PSA must file its case in support of the interim award by 4 May 2026.
The proposed interim award the PSA is seeking would establish a Psychologists Attraction and Retention Allowance for a period of 12 months, payable in equal instalments each fortnight. This step is proposed to allow the sizeable task of preparing evidence in relation to the final relief, being the making of a new psychologists award with significant increases to pay and conditions to be completed in a manner which will provide the best result.
A work value assessment for the pay of psychologists in the NSW Public Service has not occurred since at least when the Crown Employees (Psychologists) Award was made in 2006. The work value component of the PSAs claim for the Psychologists Award must be established on its own evidence.
As the current salary rates for School Psychologists were reached by agreement, without the involvement of the IRC, it is not a given that the Commission would award the same or substantially similar rates if the necessary evidence demonstrating work value and other considerations cannot satisfy the Commission that the changes are necessary to set fair and reasonable conditions.
Award negotiations
As noted previously, on 12 December 2025, the IRC recommended that the Crown is to provide its representative in these proceedings, the Industrial Relations Secretary, bargaining parameters in relation to the PSAs salary and conditions claim concerning the Psychologists Award by no later than 16 March 2026.
On 16 March 2026, the Secretary sought the PSAs consent to extend the timeframe to give the Secretary further time to consider the interim relief sought by the PSA and consider its response. It is the PSAs position that the interim relief has no bearing on the substantive claims made by the PSA for the negotiation of a new Psychologists Award and interim relief has only been sought due to the delays of the Secretary obtaining bargaining parameters which would allow negotiations to continue. The PSA rejected the request of the Secretary.
The failure of the Secretary to comply with the recommendation is something that can be considered by the IRC when it exercises its functions, including in determining the interim and final relief. No reasons have been provided about why the Secretary has not complied with the recommendation.
The PSA has repeatedly expressed its desire to continue to negotiate with the Secretary to resolve the Psychologists Award claim. However, given the urgency of the attraction and retention crisis, the PSA will not pause the arbitration process. The PSA does not need the Secretary to obtain bargaining parameters to arbitrate either interim or final relief.
Next steps in campaign
The PSA is also seeking members who are willing to assist with our media campaign and those who may be prepared to act as witnesses in proceedings before the IRC. If you are interested in participating, please contact Chris Auld, Senior Organiser, or your Psychology Award working group members.
The PSA will also hold an online meeting for members and potential members to provide an update, answer questions, and discuss how individuals can become more involved in the PSAs campaign (details to follow).
Homes NSW Aboriginal Housing Office statewide PSA lunchtime members meeting
PSA organiser Rachel Eldred will be holding an online meeting for Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) members and will be joined by your delegate Matt Cooper.
The meeting is an opportunity to discuss any workplace issues affecting members before the PSA meets with AHO management on 30 March for its first Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting.
JCCs are an important platform to address workplace concerns and an opportunity for members to speak up. Please note only collective issues are discussed at JCCs. Individual matters are managed privately.
Come along with your questions and learn more about the PSA structure and how it works to help members build collective power in the workplace.
If you cant make it on the day, you can reach out to your workplace delegate or organiser at a time that suits you.
Members working at 6 Parramatta Square: morning tea is on the PSA!
PSA members who work at 6 Parramatta Square are invited to join PSA organisers Andrea Cartwright and Rachel Eldred for morning tea next Tuesday 24 March 2026.
The morning tea is an opportunity to get together with other PSA members to meet your PSA representatives and learn more about what the PSA is doing to support your rights in the workplace.
Not using your member benefits? Then come along and find out how you can save the cost of your membership and more! (Did you know, for example, that mycar Tyre & Auto is offering members a 12.5 per cent discount on servicing, mechanical repairs and selected tyres until 2 April?)
Non-members are also welcome and can join up on the day, so bring a colleague and your questions and well see you next Tuesday.
Housing Services: Western Sydney Joint Consultative Committee meeting
The first quarterly Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting for 2026 was held on 24 February for the Western Sydney district. PSA industrial staff attend these meetings with workplace delegates and district management.
JCCs are an important platform to address workplace concerns and members are encouraged to reach out to PSA delegates and staff about any workplace issues they would like raised at the meetings. They are an opportunity for members to speak out and ask any questions they may have about workplace rights. Please note only collective issues are discussed at JCCs. Individual matters are managed privately.
Key discussions on 24 February included:
Relocation of Parramatta office
Management said it has commenced consultation with staff at the Parramatta office about the relocation to 160 Marsden Street. The PSA was told that a working group would be formed, which would include a position for a PSA delegate, and that risk assessments would be done by the WHS project officer. The move is planned for the second quarter of the 2026/27 financial year.
The PSA is aware of member concerns around communication and change management. That key topic did not receive a favourable score in last years People Matters Employment Survey for Housing Services. The Western Sydney district did receive a noticeably higher score on that topic than other districts. To support change around the move, management said there would be a number of roadshows in March to discuss any concerns.
Members can also raise any issues directly with the PSA; speak with your workplace delegates or organiser.
Management said after consultation is approved, they would look at design.
There are no planned moves for the other offices in the district: Blacktown, Penrith or Mount Druitt.
Recruitment
Ongoing appointments are progressing from Grade 11/12 downwards, and to avoid unnecessary re-interviewing, direct appointments are made based on compliance with the Government Sector Employment Act 2013, role tenure and performance, management said.
The PSA raised member concerns in relation to video-recording being part of the interview process. Management said some recruiters choose to use it as an assessment tool but it doesnt take the place of an interview panel.
Members often ask questions around recruitment, particularly in relation to opportunities to act up in higher roles. The department has a clear process around how to fill temporary vacancies of up to 26 weeks. If you are interested in acting up make sure you have it as a goal in your Personal Development Plan (PDP). If you have any questions about recruitment youd like raised at the next JCC, please let your workplace delegates or organiser know.
Functional Review
A Functional Review evaluation will be done before the end of the financial year. Staff will get an opportunity to provide feedback on what went well and what didnt. Management is aware that portfolio sizes will need to be reviewed to make sure they remain at under 300.
Work health and safety
The district continues to offer onsite Employee Assistance Program (EAP) support, management said. It is available fortnightly in Blacktown and Penrith, and weekly in Parramatta and Mount Druitt.
Management shared Safety Suite data for the quarter October to December 2025. The data highlighted that the primary risk area is client-related verbal abuse and threats and management said they are going to further address the issue at the March roadshows.
Members are reminded to report all incidents through Safety Suite. The PSA raised the issue of some members having their Safety Suite reports closed with no communication provided as to its outcome. Management said staff should escalate the report if the original matter is not addressed.
Members are also encouraged to know who the Health and Safety Representative (HSR) is in their office. HSRs are elected to represent you on work health and safety (WHS) issues in the workplace. They identify and resolve WHS matters, and can issue a provisional improvement notice (PIN) if they reasonably believe the WHS law has been broken. The PSA recently received approval from SafeWork to run HSR training for its members. Please get in touch with your PSA organiser for further information.
Psychosocial Action Plan
As discussed in last years Housing Services JCC, districts are expected to develop Psychosocial Action Plans to better manage psychosocial risks in the workplace. Management confirmed that the Western Sydney districts plan is in the consultation stage with staff.
Its important that members know about and understand the Psychosocial Action Plan as it will provide important information about psychosocial hazards such as role overload, workplace bullying, work-related violence and burnout. Under the new Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 workplaces must implement control measures to eliminate psychosocial hazards so far as is reasonably practicable.
The next JCC meeting is scheduled for May. Members are encouraged to share any workplace concerns they have with their workplace delegates or organiser. If you have any questions about your rights in the workplace, please get in touch.
Implementation of surge beds: Corrective Services NSW
Over the past month, Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) has contacted centres regarding the implementation of surge beds due to the continued increase in inmate numbers.
Sub Branches are reminded that any implementation of surge beds must occur through proper consultation, ensuring that safe and appropriate staffing levels can be maintained operationally.
As we are all aware, centres do not currently have sufficient staffing to operate at full Prison Bed Capacity Adjustment Program (PBCAP) capacity with the resources available. Any increase in bed numbers without additional staff only results in further operational pressures and increased lock-ins.
Sub Branches are therefore reminded that these proposed increases are subject to consultation, not direction, as has been raised by several Sub Branches.
Regards,
Darren King
POVB State Executive Chair
0407 935 039
Health Professional Councils Authority: come and meet the PSA!
Do you work at Health Professional Councils Authority? The PSA is holding an in person and online members’ meeting. Whether youre in the office or working from home, Senior Organiser Belinda Tsirekas and Industrial Officer Graydon Welsh will be available to discuss member issues.
Are you interested in becoming a Workplace Delegate?
Were looking for passionate representatives from your work site to join us at the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting for the Health Professional Councils Authority. This is your chance to have a voice, drive positive change, and represent your colleagues where it really counts!
If youre keen to get involved and help shape what happens in your workplace, we want to hear from you.
Come along to the lunch time meeting – this is a great opportunity for both members and non-members to:
Become a Delegates
Meet your PSA Senior Organiser, and Industrial Officer
Learn more about becoming a Delegate and the PSAs role in your workplace
Share ideas on how your union can best support you and your colleagues
Whether youve got something specific to raise or just want to stay informed, wed love to see you there.
If you know any non-members that would like to learn more about your union, invite them to attend.
Meeting details
Date: Thursday 26th March 2026
Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm
Location: in person Floor 6, North Wing HPCA Board Room, or online via Teams
The PSA NSW has over 125 years of proud history, and you stand on the shoulders of more than 40,000 members who know we are stronger together.
Did you know your union also offers you:
Free emergency ambulance cover
Free Journey Insurance peace of mind if you have an accident travelling to and from work.
FREE Personal & Accident insurance lump sum claims for injuries and broken bones and for $11 extra get your whole immediate family covered (exclusive of broken bones )
Substantial shopping discounts with Union Shopper
Free will and Legal services and many other benefits
MEDIA RELEASE- Corrective services officers followed standard procedures in Thomson case
Friday 1 February 2013
Corrective services officers followed standard procedures in Thomson case
The Prison Officers Vocational Branch of the Public Service Association of NSW (PSA) take great exception to the disparaging remarks and comments made by the solicitor of Federal MP Mr Craig Thomson.
Anne Gardiner General Secretary of the PSA said: “The Officers involved in the search of Mr Thomson were at all times acting in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures of Corrective Services NSW and the Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Act 1999. “Mr Thomson was placed into Corrective Services custody after he was bail refused by the police prior to being placed before the court. “It is a safety requirement that all new custodies are strip searched. Officers involved in the search acted in a professional and respectful manner at all times. “This type of name calling and vilification of people who are just doing their job is not on.”
Enquiries: Stewart Little 0418 610 792
