Minister for Finance, Minister for Women, Minister for the Public Service
The Albanese Government has released a new interim workplace relations policy for Commonwealth public servants delivering a 3 per cent increase to public servant’s wages over the next 12 months.
This decision is designed to allow for proper consultation on developing a longer term policy that supports reducing the fragmentation of pay and conditions across the Australian Public Service (APS).
Minister for the Public Service, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, announced today the Public Sector Interim Workplace Arrangements 2022 will apply to Commonwealth employees with an annual pay increase due before 31 August 2023.
This decision will ensure that Commonwealth public servants who have worked so hard to support the community during the pandemic and the transition to the new government are not worse off in their pay packets while more comprehensive arrangements are developed.
Labor promised to be better when it came to bargaining with the government’s workforce and this is the first step in that process.
The Government understands the benefits that would result from genuine service wide negotiations on pay and common conditions, with agency specific conditions negotiated at the individual agency level.
This interim arrangement creates certainty and consistency while the Government develops a process to support service wide negotiations in line with our election commitment.
“Re-engaging with genuine bargaining, and establishing the public service as a model employer, is a key focus of the Albanese Labor Government.
“We made this commitment before the election and we will deliver on it.
“The Government is committed to working in partnership with agencies, unions and employees to develop a comprehensive workplace relations approach for the Australian Public Service.
“This is a complex undertaking as there are significant differences in pay, terms and conditions across the Commonwealth. The proposed reform will need to include careful consideration and consultation on these matters,” said Minister Gallagher.
The interim arrangements:
- Ensure Commonwealth employees receive a fair, timely remuneration increase while a new comprehensive workplace relations approach is being developed.
- Highlight the Government’s commitment to ensuring genuine engagement and consultation with employees and their representatives.
- Set the Government’s expectations of the Commonwealth as a model employer. This includes a commitment to genuine consultation with employees and their representatives.
The Australian Public Service Commission will issue supplementary guidance for agencies on these important matters, including the expected steps towards future arrangements in consultation with employees, and their representatives.
