Time to vote on important Psychologists Interim Attraction and Retention Award offer

In December 2025, the PSA filed an industrial dispute in the Industrial Relations Commission regarding the negotiations for the Psychologists Award (the Dispute). As part of the Dispute, the PSA sought as interim relief the making of an interim award which created an interim attraction and retention allowance to take effect in the interim whilst the final relief, the making of a new Psychologists Award with significant salary increases, could be prepared and arbitrated.

On 11 May 2026, the PSA filed its evidence in the interim award proceedings and a draft interim award which sought the creation of an attraction and retention allowance comprising of:

1. Component 1 – $10,000, to operate for 12 months, to be paid fortnightly with effect from 1 July 2026 and which will count as salary for all purposes; and
2. Component 2 – 3 per cent increase to the salaries from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.

Following the filing of the PSA’s evidence, the PSA and Industrial Relations Secretary (Secretary) have engaged in without prejudice discussions to settle the interim award proceedings. The Secretary has made a final offer to the PSA to settle interim award proceedings on the following terms:

1. The Industrial Relations Secretary (Secretary) will agree to an interim award for 12 months from 1 July 2026 which contains an attraction and retention allowance for psychologists who are employed pursuant to the Psychologists Award (see note below) comprising of:

a. Component 1 – $9,000, to operate for 12 months, to be paid fortnightly with effect from 1 July 2026 and which will count as salary for all purposes; and

b. Component 2 – 3 per cent increase to the salaries and salary related allowances from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.

2. The allowance would be absorbed into the final relief, noting that the final relief sought by the PSA exceeds the interim relief sought.
3. The consent of the Secretary to an interim award for 12 months is made without prejudice to his position on final relief.
4. The PSA and the Secretary respectively reserve all rights in respect of the effective start date of the final relief.

Note: The offer does not extend to psychologists who are employed within the NSW Police Force under the Crown Employees (Administrative and Clerical Officers – Salaries) Award, or psychologists employed within Corrective Services NSW under the Psychologists, Community Offender Services, Department of Corrective Services Determination No. 963 of 2008. These cohorts of employees are already receiving a 3 per cent salary increase with effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026 as their salaries are not set by the Psychologists Award.

Key elements of the offer

1. In respect of cl 2 above, any interim relief awarded will be considered by the Industrial Relations Commission in determining the claim for final relief/in settlement of the final relief. Practically speaking, this means that if in the determination of the final relief an increase of 20 per cent is awarded and backdated to 1 July 2026 – if an employee received an increase equivalent to 10 per cent from 1 July 2026 as a result of the interim award, that employee will not be back paid an additional 20 per cent – it would only be a further 10 per cent.
2. The Secretary’s offer to resolve the interim award proceedings is done so without concession as to the appropriate salaries to be set by the Industrial Relations Commission in determining the final relief.
3. In respect of cl 4 above, the PSA and the Secretary both reserve their ability to argue the appropriate date which the final relief should take effect and if the final relief proceeds to hearing, it will be determined by the Commission.

This offer is now open for a vote of membership for one week from 18 June 2026 closing on 25 June 2026 at 5 pm.

Members are encouraged to have their say before voting closes.

 Vote on offer now!.

The PSA and Psychology Working Group endorses a YES vote to the PSA accepting the Secretary’s offer to resolve the interim award proceedings.

This offer is indicative of the strength of the evidence filed by the PSA. Whilst the PSA’s case in favour of the interim award is strong, if the PSA rejects this offer and the interim award proceeds to hearing, the Industrial Relations Commission could make a decision which is less favourable than the offer made by the Secretary. Settlement in the terms above is a certainty which will allow the PSA to work towards preparing its case for the final relief whilst having an interim increase which can apply to members more expeditiously.

Next steps

The PSA will provide an update to the membership after the vote is concluded.

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 Advisory Group Members

Amy Sowerby (Corrective Services)

Mary Sanna (Corrective Services)

Samantha Sharp (Child Protection)

Gemma Clarke (Child Protection)

Ruth Marshall (Youth Justice)

Rebekah Green (Youth Justice)

Zoe Harrison (Police)