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State and Federal government buck-passing leads to 60 job cuts of NSW Fair Work Inspectors

Up 60 Fair Work Inspectors who ensure compliance of employment standards in NSW will be out of a job on 1 July after the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) and the NSW Government failed to renew the current cost sharing contract.

The Public Service Association of NSW says the decision to let the contract lapse will mean fewer inspectors on the ground across regional and metropolitan areas working to ensure compliance with basic employment entitlements such as penalty rates and minimum wages.

It will also mean the closure of NSW Industrial Relations Offices in Dubbo, Lismore, Wollongong and Newcastle.

Assistant Secretary Steve Turner said both State and Federal governments have questions to answer for the loss of jobs and services.

“The O’Farrell Government has already attempted to wash their hands of the decision, but if they were so concerned about the inspectors jobs and workplace laws in NSW, why did they refuse to contribute any money to the contract’s renewal?” Mr Turner said today.

“And how can they feign empathy for NSW public servants after promising to cut 15,000 jobs across the public service since they came to office.

“Both governments have left employees across NSW vulnerable and exposed to breaches of minimum employment standards with 60 fewer inspectors across NSW.

“These are Federal laws, but it is employees in NSW who currently benefit from the work of these inspectors. The Public Service Association of NSW calls on both the NSW and Federal governments to do what’s right by employees in NSW and keep these inspectors working,” Mr Turner said.

Contact: Jane Garcia 0434 489 533 / Steve Turner 0418 675 564

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Outsourcing out-of-home care won’t fix child protection system

Outsoucing out-of-home care won’t fix the child protection system in NSW.

The NSW Government has announced plans to transfer an additional $123 million from the Community Services budget to fund to a private sector take over of out-of-home care (foster care) services.

Community Services currently provides 85% of out-of-home care services to children and young people in NSW.

This decision will mean that the private sector will attract around 55% of all public funding for out-of-home care in NSW, but provide services to up to only 1/3 of all children in out-of-home care.

“The impact of this decision will be crippling for child protection in NSW and won’t improve services to vulnerable children and young people in out-of-home care”, said Steve Turner, PSA Assistant General Secretary.

“Much of the money will go towards building infrastructure and capacity which already exists within Community Services.”

The 2008 Wood Report into child protection in NSW has been relied upon by government to make the case for outsourcing out-of-home care. Wood argued that the community as a whole has a responsibility to care for vulnerable children, and bringing private providers into the overwhelmed public system would strengthen it.

But simply outsourcing out-of-home care to private providers does not build capacity across the system, rather it transfers existing problems to less regulated, less accountable, less experienced providers.

“The Wood report’s overarching message is one of building capacity for child protection, of improving and adding to what we have, not merely shifting responsibility from government to the private sector.”

“Rather than reinventing the wheel, we should be looking at the sector holistically – both government and non-government – investing in our strengths and improving on our weaknesses.”

“Experience shows the private sector simply doesn’t have the expertise, infrastructure, capacity or oversight to deliver out-of-home care.”

“Ripping money out of the Community Services budget to pay for privatisation will mean fewer child protection caseworkers in NSW, and place vulnerable children and young people at greater risk of harm.” Mr Turner said.

Recent News

Reminder: WSU CPSU NSW Annual General Meeting 2026   25 August 2026 “DV Needs Public Services” campaign: do you work on the front lines of Child Protection and Permanency in the south coast and southern NSW region?   25 August 2026 Ahpra Bargaining Update: No more delays – let’s get an outcome   25 August 2026 Art Gallery of NSW: PSA members’ meeting notice   25 August 2026 PSA Podcast: Beyond the Bear Pit – Protecting Workers in Parliament   24 August 2026

Government cutbacks apply brakes to vital road safety unit

The NSW Public Service Association warns job cuts and budget reductions at the Centre for Road Safety could compromise more than a decade’s progress on reducing the state’s road toll.

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Recent News

Reminder: WSU CPSU NSW Annual General Meeting 2026   25 August 2026 “DV Needs Public Services” campaign: do you work on the front lines of Child Protection and Permanency in the south coast and southern NSW region?   25 August 2026 Ahpra Bargaining Update: No more delays – let’s get an outcome   25 August 2026 Art Gallery of NSW: PSA members’ meeting notice   25 August 2026 PSA Podcast: Beyond the Bear Pit – Protecting Workers in Parliament   24 August 2026

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