APS-wide bargaining is now under way, and we encourage all APS employees to play a part to ensure the APS remains a model employer.
The Government is committed to a fair and equitable pay rise for all APS employees. Broadly speaking, the APS-wide bargaining process aims to achieve:
- a pay increase for APS employees
- a mechanism to reduce pay fragmentation
- greater commonality on terms and conditions across the APS.
This is a gradual process where common pay and conditions are negotiated over multiple APS bargaining rounds.
It’s important to note APS bargaining won’t affect pay increases scheduled before 31 August 2023. Under the Public Sector Interim Workplace Arrangements 2022 which continue to apply, APS agencies will provide a 3% wage increase before this date.
Individual APS agencies and employees will continue to negotiate their own enterprise agreements while the initial bargaining discussions are held at an APS-wide level. This makes sure agencies can negotiate terms supporting their needs and operating model.
More information
The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) is leading the APS-wide bargaining process. Their website provides a range of information, including:
- an overview of the Workplace Relations Bargaining Taskforce’s consultation to date
- APS bargaining staff survey results
- answers to frequently asked questions.
We also encourage you to sign up to the APSC’s APS bargaining newsletter for direct updates from the taskforce.