5 MARCH 2026
District Allowance Log of Claims Negotiations are underway!
On Tuesday, 3 March 2026, your union representatives and Regional Working Party met with GSLR for the first negotiation meeting of the District Allowance Log of Claims. Your bargaining representatives reviewed the Log of Claims with Government to explain the proposed methodology, and outline what these changes would mean for the workers delivering essential services across regional and remote communities.
What’s next?
Paid Union Meeting (PUM) Kit Resources have been provided to Regional Delegates who will soon be running Paid Union Meetings in workplaces across the state to brief members on the proposal, how it would work, and the actions we’ll need to take together to win this change. For more information, speak with your workplace delegate and keep your eyes on your inbox for future updates from your union.
Support the campaign by sharing your story!
Your experiences help us demonstrate why improving District Allowance matters - not just for regional WA, but for the strength and sustainability of essential public services across the entire state.
- Take our 'Working in the Regions' Survey
- Email photos or personal stories to [email protected]
Credit to Emma from the Departmen of Justice, Broome who shared her take on the good and bad 'wide open spaces' that she and members of her community experience living up north.
18 FEBRUARY 2026
CPSU/CSA Branch Secretary, Melanie Bray, launches District Allowance Campaign!
Today, Branch Secretary, Melanie Bray, launched the official District Allowance (DA) campaign in an Online Regional Members' Briefing, which was attended by members from regional locations across the state.
In her address to members, our Branch Secretary acknowledged the dedication and years of collective effort made by regional delegates and members that has shaped the Log of Claims, which the union submitted to Government Sector Labour Relations (GSLR) on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, it's methodology and it's significance to all those working in regional areas across the state:
“The CPSU/CSA’s proposed variation of the District Allowance for Western Australia’s regional public sector workforce is a once-in-a-generation moment. Our regional delegates have spent years consulting with members, gathering evidence and finally in drafting to shape methodology that is not just informed by regional public sector workers, but works for regional public sector workers and their families.
“We’re talking about making life equitable for those who deliver public services for all Western Australians in some of our state’s most regional and remote locations. An additional $9,000 a year for Biosecurity Officers at the Western and South Australia Quarantine Checkpoint. An additional $6,500 for Housing Officers in Carnarvon. A new $1,040 allowance for Library Officers, School Support Officers and Managers of Corporate Services in many Great Southern & Wheatbelt public schools.
"The District Allowance is not a bonus for a job well done; it’s part of the infrastructure that keeps crucial public services operating in our regional centres. An inadequate district allowance leads directly to staff shortages, high churn and poor public service delivery in our communities.”
- CPSU/CSA Branch Secretary, Melanie Bray
What’s next?
Early DA resources have been provided to regional members and planning has begun to support regional Delegates to run Paid Union Meetings (PUMs) in their workplaces. Keep your eyes on your inbox over the coming weeks for further information about upcoming resources and next steps for your workplace.
In the meantime, we're rolling out a campaign that puts District Allowance front and centre - and members' involvement is crucial. Whether it’s sharing your story, joining actions, or sharing the message in your workplaces. Together, we can make sure the District Allowance better reflects the real cost of living in regional WA!
Help us tell your story to decision makers
In the next stage of our campaign, members' experiences and stories are vital. They help us demonstrate why improving District Allowance matters - not just for regional WA, but for the strength and sustainability of essential public services across the entire state.
Regional Members' voices are essential. Share your story in the survey below.
Take our Regional Experience Survey
17 FEBRUARY 2026
Your District Allowance Campaign Resources
Over the coming weeks, the union will continue to develop and share District Allowance Campaign resources with members via email and on the District Allowance Campaign webpage. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled on your inbox and check the campaign webpage regularly for the latest resource updates.
Click to download your DA Resources:
- Your District Allowance Log of Claims
- Expanded Log of Claims Annexure B Map
- 5 Reasons Why Poster to put up at work - spread the word!
Let's work to ensure a fairer go for the regions.
Become a member now!
17 FEBRUARY 2026
Your District Allowance claim has been lodged!
On Tuesday, 17 February 2026, following years of consultation and collaboration with regional Delegate Leaders and members, your union formally lodged the District Allowance (Government Officers) General Agreement 2010 Log of Claims with Government Sector Labour Relations (GSLR).
DOWNLOAD YOUR DISTRICT ALLOWANCE CLAIM
The District Allowance (DA) is a critical part of the infrastructure that ensures you're supported to deliver public services across regional WA, and the union has a vision for a better DA, built and informed by regional public sector workers for regional public sector workers.
What’s the proposed methodology?
In short, the CPSU/CSA’s proposed methodology seeks to modernise factors that inform the calculation of the Allowance using an evidence-based approach. Factors will include population, climate and distances to an emergency department, public education and childcare facilities.
Our Log of Claims also seeks to annually index the allowance against Perth inflation with adjustments for local Regional Price Indexes, ensuring real value is maintained with minimal year-on-year fluctuations. Finally, we have also made a claim for a new $20 weekly flat-rate allowance for those who are currently ineligible in outer regional locations including the Great Southern, Wheatbelt and South West.
Modernisation of the DA in line with our proposed methodology, if successful, would see approximately 5,000 regional public sector workers receive an uplift of at least $1,000 per annum, with some of our most remote locations uplifted by $9,000 per annum.
What’s next?
We're rolling out a campaign that puts District Allowance front and centre - and members' involvement is crucial. Whether it’s sharing your story, joining actions, or sharing the message in your workplaces. Together, we can make sure the District Allowance better reflects the real cost of living in regional WA!
Help us tell your story to decision makers
In the next stage of our campaign, members' experiences and stories are vital.
They help us demonstrate why improving District Allowance matters - not just for regional WA, but for the strength and sustainability of essential public services across the entire state.
Regional Members' voices are essential. Share your story in the survey below.
Take our Regional Experience Survey
16 JANUARY 2026
Your union is tackling the Regional Entitlements District Allowance head on.
Your Leader Delegates have endorsed a campaign for an increase to the District Allowance (DA), recognising the unique challenges faced by members living and working in regional WA. This is a significant step forward in ensuring fair compensation for the additional costs and realities for workers who are delivering essential public services to Western Australians who live in our regions.
In the coming weeks, your union will hold online member briefings to discuss the District Allowance campaign and what it will take to win big!
Help us tell your story to decision makers
Your experiences and stories are vital. They help us demonstrate why improving district allowance matters—not just for regional WA, but for the strength and sustainability of essential public services across the entire state.
You are the backbone of regional WA, and your voice is essential - tell us your story below.
