The NSW Government has proposed two options to settle prospective salary arrangements with members covered by the Crown Employees (Psychologists) Award.

Option one

Under the first option, the parties agree to an interim salary increase of 3 per cent plus 0.5 per cent superannuation, backdated to 1 July 2024.

Further, the parties agree to immediately commence intensive negotiations with the objective of reaching a consent position on new terms and conditions of employment for employees covered by the current Award.

If the parties are unable to reach a consent position it would be open to either party to pursue independent arbitration of a new or varied Award in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission.

Option two

The other option is as follows:

• 4 per cent 2024-2025 increase in salaries plus 0.5 per cent superannuation
• 3 per cent 2025-2026 increase in salaries plus 0.5 per cent superannuation
• 3 per cent 2026-2027 increase in salaries

The first annual component of a 4 per cent offer would be backdated to the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2024.

Under this option, Psychologists would be covered by a no extra claims clause that would apply for the entire period of the Award’s duration (2024-2027).

This option also includes a safeguard mechanism to protect wage-earners if the Sydney Consumer Price Index exceeds 3.5 per cent (March quarter) in the second or third year of the deal. If this is the case, there will be negotiations for a one-off, non-cumulative, cost-of-living allowance (COLA).

If the Sydney Consumer Price Index exceeds 4 per cent (March quarter) in the second or third year exceeds members will receive a $1,000 taxable, one-off, non-cumulative cost-of-living adjustment payment, plus superannuation.

Click HERE for a video message on the pay offer from PSA General Secretary Stewart Little.

Our view

The PSA has established a Working Group with Psychologists employed across the NSW Public Sector.

The PSA and our Working Group representatives strongly recommend you vote for Option 1.

The current Award has not kept pace with modern employment arrangements and the classification structure and salaries are outdated and uncompetitive.

This fact was recognised only recently when the NSW Industrial Relations Commission made the Crown Employees (School Psychologists – Department of Education) Award.

In some cases, School Psychologists employed under this Award can earn between $15,000 to over $35,000 more than their colleagues in other agencies.

If Option 2 is accepted, and the parties were not able to reach agreement, then there could be no changes to pay and conditions of Psychologists until after 30 June 2027, and in our view this is unacceptable.

We urge you to vote for Option 1.

For further information call Thane Pearce on 1800 772 679 or via email at

Have your say

The PSA is a member-based organisation, and therefore acceptance of this offer is up to you and your colleagues in the union. Please vote at the link below.

Click HERE to vote.

Voting closes at 4:00pm Monday 14 October 2024.

Voting is restricted to PSA members.

For a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding, which is subject to endorsement, click HERE.