What is APS Bargaining?

  • APS Bargaining determines the pay and most of the working conditions for Australian public sector workers.
  • It involves negotiation between worker bargaining representatives (unions) and Government bargaining representatives. 
  • The outcome is a set of common terms and conditions that apply to all APS workers.
  • The common terms include changes to APS workers' pay, including annual pay increases, pay equity measures and any other negotiated pay outcomes.
  • Common terms are included in APS agency enterprise agreements, alongside any agency specific terms.

Common APS pay and conditions

After winning the right to negotiate common pay and conditions across the APS for the first time since the 1990s, CPSU members have made significant progress in achieving commonality of pay and conditions across the APS.

CPSU members won massive improvements to conditions in the first round of APS-wide bargaining — including groundbreaking flexible work rights, 18 weeks’ paid parental leave for both parents, consultation rights, 25% casual loading, new leave types and more.

Importantly, members also won significant movement towards pay equity after decades of pay fragmentation and disparity. Updated pay tables (sign in for access) show that while we have made progress, there is more work to do, and CPSU members will continue to push for more ambitious action to achieve APS pay equity.

It's time to get involved

APS Bargaining is coming back and CPSU members are preparing to campaign for continued improvements to your pay and conditions. Now is the time to make sure your voice counts.

Membership means access to member-only briefings, the opportunity to have a say and take part in the CPSU bargaining survey and more.

Becoming a CPSU member gives you more control of your pay and conditions, and it strengthens the union position at the negotiating table. The more members we have working together in bargaining, the more we can achieve. The best way to ensure you are consulted when it comes to bargaining for your pay and conditions is to join the CPSU today.

Steps in APS Bargaining

Step 1 - Members decide the CPSU’s priorities

CPSU members are surveyed on their priorities for pay and conditions. Only CPSU members can take part in the survey. Members discuss the union’s priorities for bargaining at CPSU workplace meetings.

Step 2 - We develop our negotiating position

The CPSU drafts a bargaining claim based on members’ feedback. It contains all the things we want to see improved in the enterprise agreement. Once CPSU members have reviewed the draft claim and voted on it, it is put forward to the employer.

Step 3 - Negotiations

More CPSU members means more negotiating power to make improvements and keep existing entitlements safe. Throughout bargaining, CPSU members participate in collective activities to show we are strong and united behind our bargaining agenda. Members provide input, guidance, and feedback as negotiations progress.

Step 4 - Members vote

CPSU members vote on a package of  APS-wide common pay and conditions. 

If CPSU members vote to accept the package we wrap up negotiations at an APS-wide level, finalise agency-specific matters, and move to a formal approval process so that members get timely access to pay rises and improved conditions.

Step 5 - Enterprise Agreement Ballots

Employees vote on a proposed enterprise agreement for their agency which will include all the common conditions negotiated in APS bargaining, and any agency-specific matters. If you're not a member, this is when you get to say yes or no. If employees vote no, we go back to the negotiating table. Once an agreement is accepted it comes into operation after the Fair Work Commission approves it.

Not a CPSU member? Want to have your say in bargaining?

Becoming a CPSU member lets you shape your pay and conditions, as well as strengthen the CPSU position at the negotiating table. The more members we have working together in bargaining, the more we can achieve.

CPSU members are automatically represented in bargaining by their union. Together, we have the combined strength, resources, and expertise of tens of thousands of members across the public sector.

Join online today, or complete the form below and CPSU staff will be in touch to help you become a member.