Employees in the NSW public sector have employment conditions, which vary according to the legislation and industrial instrument that apply to their job type and employing agency. A list of the legislation, awards and determinations covering the major groups of Public Service employees is published by Public Sector Industrial Relations.
In the public sector, pay (also referred to as ‘remuneration’) and benefits are determined by a number of Acts, regulations and rules. These are managed by a number of agencies with the NSW Government. You will find most of the information relating to the pay and benefits for public sector employees on the NSW Industrial Relations website. They are responsible for administering the industrial awards which set wages and employment conditions for public sector employees.
For information on employment conditions applying to NSW Public Service employees please visit the Public Service Industrial Relations Guide.
Agencies recognised for prior service for extended leave
Prior service may be recognised for the purpose of extended leave between certain government agencies. Commonwealth or interstate agencies may be recognised for prior service where they meet:
- the meaning of ‘continuous’ and immediately ‘follows’ (see Schedule 2, clauses 3 and 4 of the Government Sector Employment Regulation 2014) and;
- all 4 criteria in the meaning of ‘Commonwealth or interstate agency’ (see schedule 2, clause 1(a)(i)-(iv) of the Government Sector Employment Regulation 2014).
A flowchart to assist agencies to assess if a Commonwealth or interstate agency may be recognised for prior service is available here: Recognition of prior service for the purpose of extended leave - Commonwealth or interstate agency.
A list of agencies recognised for prior service was published within HR Expert until 2011. (See: List of interjurisdictional agencies approved for the purpose of recognition of service).
If an agency considers a Commonwealth or interstate agency should be recognised but it does not meet the GSE Regulation definition or has not previously been listed as recognised, it may be referred to the Public Service Commission. Since 2011 the following agencies have been declared as recognised for prior service by the NSW Public Service Commissioner:
Name of agency | Commonwealth or | Date recognised by Commissioner declaration |
Airservices Australia | Commonwealth | 9 September 2015 |
Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator | Interstate agency | 13 December 2016 |
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation | Commonwealth | 16 January 2019 |
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority | Commonwealth | 5 September 2019 |
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Commonwealth | Commonwealth | 5 September 2019 |
Reserve Bank of Australia | Commonwealth | 5 September 2019 |
| National Heavy Vehicle Regulator | Interstate agency | 17 March 2021 |
| Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority | Commonwealth | 12 December 2023 |
| Australian Maritime Safety Authority | Commonwealth interjurisdictional agency | 12 December 2023 |
| Office of the Ombudsman (Queensland) | Interstate agency (Queensland) | 12 December 2023 |
While the Public Service Commission considers requests for recognition of Commonwealth or interstate agencies for the purposes of extended leave, general enquiries regarding extended leave should be directed to NSW Public Sector Industrial Relations at psir@industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au.
Information on leave and attendance
Public Sector Industrial Relations advises government on industrial relations in the NSW public sector. It supports NSW public sector agencies on industrial relations matters including the wages policy.
The Premier's Department and NSW Treasury have published circulars and policies on leave and attendance including the following:
More information
Additional information can be found in the industrial relations information for Agencies published by Public Sector Industrial Relations.