Public Sector Reform 2025 - General FAQ's
1. What is the Public Sector Reform about and what does it involve?
The CPSU/CSA will be meeting with the Public Sector Commissioner, whose office will be overseeing the Reform scheme, fortnightly from April. The union will also be maintaining engagement through individual Ministers and Directors General as changes progress. As clearer timelines emerge, we will communicate these with members via email, our social media platform, updating these FAQs and our website.
As at publication of these FAQs, we know that the PSC has two stages planned. Stage 1 will assess the impact on work areas within each Department. Throughout this stage the Union’s focus will be on ensuring that Government, PSC and Departments engage the Union and employees in robust communication and consultation. No staff movements will be finalised or actioned at this stage.
Stage 2 will begin from 1 July 2025. It is during this stage that the new Department will be ‘formed’ and other Departments will undergo the name changes. At this stage the Union will be ensuring that there is a standardised approach, across Government, to workforce planning. This will ensure that we can maintain oversight across the Reform and ensure all the boxes are ticked and that your rights and entitlements are protected.
We appreciate that the announcement of the Public Sector Reform may increase stress and workload for many of our members. Rest assured, your union is working hard to proactively engage in the process and ensure that we provide those impacted with the necessary support and resources to navigate this period of change.
Being a union member is always an important part of working life, but especially during periods of change and uncertainty. Union Membership is essential in ensuring that you are well informed and your workplace rights are secured as this transition occurs. Strong union workplaces are also best placed to navigate change together. If you know anyone in your workplace who isn’t a member, encourage them to join today.
2. Have unions been notified about this reform?
Our initial discussions with Government indicate that the CPSU/CSA is the primary union being consulted on the Reform, given we represent the vast majority of employees affected by the project.
UnionsWA has also been informed as the peak union body in WA. Together, we will ensure other unions are engaged as appropriate to represent the rights and entitlements of all employees. If you are aware of an employee, or group of employees, who are covered by another union who will be significantly impacted by the Reform, we encourage you to contact us via email at [email protected]
Union members will have a voice throughout the reform process via their Delegate representatives. It is important that Union members feed their experiences and concerns through to their workplace delegates. Not a member? Join your union!
3. Is this a cost cutting exercise?
The CPSU/CSA engages annually in both the State Budget and Mid-Year Review to scrutinise and interrogate financial decisions made by Government. This diligent oversight ensures we are keeping a watchful eye on finances and resources, particularly as those figures relate to FTE and funding allocations.
We will ensure the necessary safeguards around cuts and redundancies are in place to protect members and advocate for any changes that need to be made.
4. Does this mean the affected departments were underperforming?
There is no view that the changes to departments or agencies are due to underperformance.
Your Union has met with representatives from Government and the Public Sector Comission (PSC) to advocate for the best possible outcomes for members. At no stage in these discussions has the performance of individual agencies been raised or discussed. It is common for Governments to reimagine and remodel the sector to suit their political agenda following an election.
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