Australian Public Service Commission proposes 9% pay rise

The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) has proposed a 9 per cent pay rise for Commonwealth public servants over a three-year period. The package includes a 3.2 per cent increase starting in March 2026, followed by 3 per cent in March 2028, and 2.8 per cent in March 2029. To address pay disparities, the proposal includes additional salary uplifts for lower pay grades and a new minimum pay point increase of 3 per cent for eligible employees. Negotiations also cover flexible working arrangements and leave portability.

In response to the government’s $630 million workforce investment announcement, the Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) has called for similar remuneration support for the Australian Federal Police (AFP). AFPA President Alex Caruana noted that while the government is investing in the care sector, the AFP faces recruitment and retention pressures due to Commonwealth bargaining constraints that limit its ability to compete with state and territory police services.