Thursday 02 July 2026
A fortnight ago, the Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association of WA (CPSU/CSA) announced our members has secured significant modernisation of the District Allowance (Government Officers) Agreement 2010 (the District Allowance). Last week, after a meeting with the Minister for Industrial Relations, Hon. Simone McGurk MLA, the WA Government agreed to offer improved outcomes, further to the offer members had accepted a fortnight ago. Improvements will see most grades attracting a higher allowance, and the introduction of a Grade 6, benefiting extremely remote and hot locations.
The allowance for Grades 1, 3 and 4 will be increased to $1,520, $5,720 and $7,820, respectively, while a new Grade 6 allowance at $12,020 will be offered to the locations that meet extreme regional disadvantage thresholds, namely Fitzroy Crossing, Marble Bar, Mullagine and Wyndham. The District Allowance will also have an operative date of 1 July 2026, meaning once drafting and registration with the WA Industrial Relations Commission is complete, allowances will then begin being paid to eligible regional public sector workers, and back paid to that date.
CPSU/CSA Branch Secretary, Melanie Bray, said these improved outcomes following the first offer and successful ballot is a testament to the strength of advocacy from regional and remote CPSU/CSA delegates and members.
“This result is extraordinary. The strength of our members action and their advocacy efforts in their workplaces, their local communities and with their MPs has resulted in improved allowances for three of the grades, with an additional annual benefit of up to $480, and a Grade 6 allowance for extremely remote and hot locations in the Pilbara and Kimberley of $12,020.”
ENDS
● The full offer analysis, overview of the enhanced grades and the union’s Media Explainer can be found in our District Allowance Media Kit.
● The CPSU/CSA covers 44,000 general public sector workers, one-quarter of the WA public sector, including child protection officers, youth custodial officers, park rangers, veterinary scientists and dental technicians.
● Note to Journalists: Please ensure the full acronym, “CPSU/CSA” when mentioning us. “CPSU” is typically used to refer to the Union that covers Commonwealth, ACT and NT public sector workers. We are related but separate organisations.
For more information or to arrange further comment from CPSU/CSA Branch Secretary Melanie Bray:
Alex Wallace
CPSU/CSA Media and Stakeholder Officer
M: 0421 934 794 E: [email protected]
