Your PSA Student Support Officer (SSO) Advisory Group delegates and PSA industrial staff want to hear from you on a number of issues raised by members and delegates across the state.

We are gathering information on issues we have had raised with us from members and delegates about common challenges SSOs face. These include demanding workloads and inconsistencies in working conditions, such as whether you get to take breaks during the day, how you record the hours you actually work on your flex sheets, and how working outside of bandwidth is accounted for when on school excursions.

Please take some time to complete the survey accessed HERE.

Flexible Working and the School Environment

Student Support Officers are entitled to flexible working hours including flexible start and finish times within bandwidth as long as school operational hours are met. The rules and parameters of your flexible working conditions are contained in the Flexible Working Hours Agreement 2022, which is an agreement between the NSW Department of Education and the Public Service Association.

The information you provide in response to the survey will inform our understanding of whether the current agreement is being upheld and is operating as intended for SSOs. Additionally, the Crown Employees Conditions of Employment Award is clear about your entitlement to overtime payments for directed work outside of bandwidth hours.

The PSA recognises the importance of working professionally, safely, and sustainably in your role as a Student Support Officer. We understand that you must be able to take care of yourself, to maintain the capacity to help others.

Additional Feedback? Contact the Member Support Centre

We know that the survey will not fully capture your concerns about working hours, and safety at work, so for those who may have examples or more detailed concerns to share, please complete the survey and then contact our Member Support Centre (MSC) to provide this information.

Please quote Case ID C10011097 when speaking with a Member Support so they can add your comments.

The PSA Member Support Centre can be reached on 1800 679 772 or via email on

PSA Staff

Katy Ambler Industrial Officer

Alison Crittenden Organiser