The Community and Public Sector Union has formally advised government negotiators that the pay offer proposed in this round of APS wide bargaining has been overwhelmingly rejected by CPSU members.
More than 20,000 members participated in a snap poll conducted by the union, with nearly 90% of participants rejecting the offer. This sends a clear message to the government’s negotiators – the Australian Public Sector Commission – that the pay offer on the table is not good enough.
In a letter to the Australian Public Sector Commission’s Chief Negotiator Alison Stott, the CPSU’s National Secretary Rebecca Fawcett said the union’s membership officially rejected the Commonwealth’s deal and urged them to get back to the bargaining table with a better offer.
Last month, the Commonwealth tabled a pay proposal of 9% over three years – 3.2% in year 1, 3% in year 2 and 2.8% in year 3, which the union took directly to its membership.
CPSU members’ strong rejection of the Commonwealth’s pay offer follows the release of the 2025-26 APS Employee Census data that shows the level of satisfaction among the APS workforce on pay has fallen in the previous 12 months – with APS employees’ views on whether they are fairly remunerated decreasing 5%, down from 66% to 61% in the 12-month period.
In September, CPSU members signed a pledge in large numbers opposing the APSC’s proposals to cut conditions including flex time, annual leave, Christmas closedown and working hours provisions sending a clear signal to the Commonwealth to leave their conditions untouched.
Wage increases and remuneration have been identified by the union as priority matters for CPSU members. In April, over 18,000 CPSU members endorsed a claim for wage increases of 5% or CPI (whichever is higher) to support public sector workers keep up with cost-of-living pressures and attract and retain critical and diverse talent to the APS. The union says a pay increase is central to its bargaining claim because it affects all employees across the APS and the broader federal public sector.
CPSU is urging the Commonwealth to get back to the table and present hardworking public sector workers with a pay offer that keeps up with the cost of living, not one that will send them backwards.
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO REBECCA FAWCETT, CPSU NATIONAL SECRETARY
“CPSU members have delivered a clear message to the Commonwealth – we reject your pay offer.
“Trained and trusted public sector employees go above and beyond to deliver vital government services that keep Australian communities supported, safe and secure – it’s only fair they get a pay offer that keeps up with the cost of living.
“CPSU members are on the frontline at Services Australia, defending our borders in Home Affairs and supporting the community through the NDIS. The government should support them, not propose a pay deal that will send them backwards.
“The Government must tell the APSC to make a better offer – CPSU members and the Australian community are counting on it.”
