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CPSU national secretary Rebecca Fawcett has written to the APSC to formally reject the government\u2019s 9 per cent pay offer. Photo: CPSU.<\/p>\n
The main union representing Commonwealth public servants has officially rejected the Federal Government\u2019s 9 per cent pay rise offer, setting the scene for further negotiations in the APS-wide bargaining process.<\/p>\n
The Community and Public Sector Union has urged the government to get back to the negotiating table as soon as possible and make a better offer.<\/p>\n
Last month, the Australian Public Service Commission tabled a pay increase proposal of 9 per cent over three years, which comprises a 3.2 per cent rise from next March, then 3 per cent from March 2028, and 2.8 per cent in March 2029.<\/p>\n
The package also included further measures to support greater consistency in pay across the APS.<\/p>\n
Some workers in agencies with lower pay grades would get further salary increases up to 0.5 per cent each of the three years (or a total of up to 1.5 per cent) to help close the pay gap between departments.<\/p>\n
A new minimum pay point increase of 3 per cent was included for eligible employees progressing through their salary range where their existing advancement increase is lower than 3 per cent.<\/p>\n
The CPSU took the offer directly to its membership.<\/p>\n
More than 20,000 members participated in a snap poll the union conducted over the offer, with almost 90 per cent of participants rejecting it.<\/p>\n
CPSU national secretary Rebecca Fawcett said the poll\u2019s result clearly lets the APSC know their offer isn\u2019t good enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cCPSU members have delivered a clear message to the Commonwealth \u2013 we reject your pay offer,\u201d she said on Monday 2 November.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrained and trusted public sector employees go above and beyond to deliver vital government services that keep Australian communities supported, safe and secure.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s only fair they get a pay offer that keeps up with the cost of living.<\/p>\n
\u201cCPSU members are on the frontline at Services Australia, defending our borders in Home Affairs and supporting the community through the NDIS.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government should support them, not propose a pay deal that will send them backwards.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government must tell the APSC to make a better offer. CPSU members and the Australian community are counting on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Fawcett has written to the APSC\u2019s chief negotiator Alison Stott, to relay the union\u2019s official response.<\/p>\n
In the letter, the union secretary urges the Commonwealth to \u201cget back to the table\u201d and present public sector workers with a revised pay offer.<\/p>\n
The rejections follows the release of the APSC\u2019s latest employee census data that shows the level of satisfaction in the government\u2019s workforce over pay has dived in 2025-26.<\/p>\n
APS employees\u2019 views on whether they are fairly remunerated dropped to 61 per cent in the 12-month period.<\/p>\n
When tabling the APSC\u2019s offer, Ms Stott noted that while the proposal builds on work from the previous bargaining round, negotiations would be ongoing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis proposal delivers guaranteed pay rises while also increasing consistency in pay between agencies and creating more consistent salary advancement across the APS,\u201d Ms Stott said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor eligible employees, the additional salary uplifts and advancement changes mean increases above the headline pay rise.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re building on the work of the previous bargaining round to increase commonality across APS agencies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis measure will uplift at least one classification in 92 per cent of agencies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis pay is part of an overall package of conditions. These are preliminary positions within this package, not agreed outcomes.<\/p>\n
\u201cBargaining is continuing and we will keep working with unions and individual bargaining representatives in good faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
Last month, more than 15,000 CPSU members signed a pledge opposing the APSC\u2019s proposals to cut conditions including flex time, annual leave, Christmas closedown and working hours.<\/p>\n
The union is fiercely protective of APS workers\u2019 conditions and has sent a clear signal to the Commonwealth to leave them untouched.<\/p>\n
In August the CPSU lodged a 15 per cent pay rise claim for APS staff, citing the need to lift the wages of the service\u2019s lowest-paid workers.<\/p>\n
The Federal Government has previously indicated that a 15 per cent pay rise over three years is highly unlikely.<\/p>\n
The CPSU\u2019s negotiating team has highlighted significant ongoing pay disparities between agencies for lower-ranked employees.<\/p>\n
At the APS1 level, there have been disparities in pay rates of up to 38 per cent for employees performing work at the same classification, which the union says is due to decades of agencies negotiating separate deals for their staff.<\/p>\n
There have been some successes in closing these gaps.<\/p>\n