Media Release: Next round of APS-wide bargaining commences

SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER

MINISTER FOR FINANCE
MINISTER FOR WOMEN
MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE
MINISTER FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES

MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday 2 July 2026

NEXT ROUND OF APS-WIDE BARGAINING COMMENCES

Today Australian Public Service (APS) agencies are taking formal steps to begin the enterprise agreement bargaining process by issuing the Notice of Employee Representational Rights to eligible employees.

The Government supports fair and genuine APS-wide negotiations with employees and their unions for terms and conditions that enable the public service to deliver for the Australian community.

This next round of bargaining builds on the progress made through the previous APS-wide bargaining round in 2023, which delivered fair pay increases for employees, reduced pay fragmentation across the service, and delivered 59 common conditions.

Bargaining will be guided by the Australian Government’s Public Sector Workplace Relations Policy 2026, which supports a model employer approach and a unified, capable and contemporary APS.

The policy provides a framework for fair, sustainable and productive workplace arrangements that support employee attraction, development, mobility and retention, while promoting fairness, equity and administrative efficiency.

This round will continue the work of improving commonality in pay and conditions across the APS over time, while recognising that agencies have different operating environments.

APS-wide bargaining will be led by Chief Negotiator Alison Stott, supported by Deputy Chief Negotiator Damien Booth and the Australian Public Service Commission.

Bargaining will occur in two parts:

• Part A - will focus on common conditions that may apply across the APS.
• Part B - agency-level bargaining, will follow at the appropriate stage and enable agencies to negotiate terms that support their specific operational needs.

Information on APS-wide bargaining will be regularly updated on the APSC website.

Quotes attributable to Minister for the Public Service, Senator Katy Gallagher:

“APS-wide bargaining is about delivering fair, consistent conditions for public servants while supporting a strong, capable and modern public service.”

“This next round of bargaining is another opportunity to build on the progress already made, continue improving commonality in pay and conditions, and support the APS to be the model employer it should be.”

“Public servants do important work every day for the Australian community. The Albanese Government will continue to engage constructively to support fair, practical and sustainable outcomes across the APS.”