Professionals Australia, the Union for STEM professionals in the Australian Public Service, has expressed strong dissatisfaction that the Federal Government has not budgeted for future Australian Public Service (APS) pay rises beyond the current enterprise agreements in the forward estimates.
After years of funding cuts and sustained below-inflation wage increases, many STEM professionals across the APS are now up to 25 per cent behind in real wage terms. This represents a structural erosion of the value of public sector expertise.
Ashley Sutherland, Lead Organiser at Professionals Australia said the Federal Budget reflected a concerning attitude towards public sector workers.
"A government that understands the critical role of a capable, high-performing public service should also recognise the need to restore real wages.
"Failing to account for this in the forward estimates sends a clear message that the Government lacks any real commitment to rebuilding and retaining professional capability in the APS.
"Public sector STEM professionals have borne the brunt of years of wage suppression while continuing to deliver essential services to the Australian community.
"Without a clear plan to deliver real wage growth, the APS risks losing the very expertise it depends on.
"At a time when the Government is seeking to strengthen in-house capability and reduce reliance on external consultants, competitive and fair remuneration is essential.
"Ignoring this reality will only undermine those ambitions."
Professionals Australia is also seeing a surge in APS STEM professionals joining the Union in record numbers, reflecting growing concern and a shared determination to address declining real wages.
"APS STEM professionals are uniting and organising.
"They are committed to taking this fight forward to secure real wage growth and restore fairness to public sector pay."
Professionals Australia is calling on the Government to urgently commit to a long-term plan that delivers sustained, above-inflation pay increases and restores confidence in the future of the APS workforce.
