Child protection caseworkers across the state will receive a historic increase to their pay and working conditions under generational reforms to repair the workforce and help the state's most vulnerable children
The new Award is a core component of the Government's $1.2 billion Child Protection Package announced in the 2025-26 Budget, and will see child protection caseworkers receive up to $17,000 more, as well as improved overtime provisions.
The Minns Labor Government has embarked on once-in-a-generation reform of the state's child protection system, with an early focus on rebuilding the frontline workforce needed to protect children.
This Award is the latest achievement made possible due to the Minns Labor Government's mutual gains bargaining framework, following the previous government's unfair and disastrous wages cap which saw caseworkers walking out the door.
The increased pay and conditions have been fully funded by the Government's reform policies and achievements to date, including the elimination of high-cost unaccredited emergency accommodation for vulnerable children.
The agreement was struck between the NSW Government and the Public Service Association (PSA), with 95% of PSA members voting in favour of the proposal.
This new Award covers more than 2,000 public sector child protection caseworkers who do one of the most important jobs in the state - keeping vulnerable children safe.
The Award delivers several benefits for DCJ child protection caseworkers, including:
- Increased salaries
- Improved overtime provisions
- The creation of new roles
Caseworkers will receive backpay effective from 1 July 2025.
Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said:
"Our Child protection caseworkers are the backbone of a system that protects the most vulnerable children, and they deserve to be properly recognised and supported. This new Award delivers real, meaningful improvements, not just in pay, but in the conditions that help retain and respect our frontline workers.
"The Minns Labor Government continues the work of rebuilding the state's essential services and reforming the industrial relations system.
"That work began with the scrapping of the Coalition's wages cap, which was in place for 12 years, introducing a fairer, modern bargaining framework, setting up an Industrial court and amending the Industrial Relations Act to include a new Object to achieve gender equality in the workplace.
"We were elected on a mandate to fix the recruitment and retention crisis in essential services and that is what we are doing."
Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington said:
"Our child protection caseworkers have one of the most difficult and important jobs in the state, keeping vulnerable children safe.
"The Minns Labor Government is backing our dedicated child protection caseworkers who haven't felt valued in years.
"I thank the PSA and their hardworking members for their advocacy and commitment to keeping kids safe."
Secretary, Department of Communities and Justice, Michael Tidball said:
"Caseworkers across the state are dedicated to making a meaningful, positive difference in the lives of children and families who need support most.
"They are essential partners in driving system-wide reform and lasting change.
"I am delighted that this Award recognises and celebrates the vital contributions of our public sector caseworkers throughout the state."
General Secretary, Public Service Association, Stewart Little said:
"Entry level child protection caseworkers were resigning in droves. These are the most emotionally gruelling jobs in NSW and they were being paid a pittance. This deal will see them get a $10,000 annual pay bump, and we're hoping this will encourage young caseworkers to stay.
"Experienced child protection caseworkers were also leaving, burned out and emotionally exhausted. They will be getting a $17,000 pay bump to encourage them to stay and use their expertise and corporate knowledge to help the most vulnerable kids in this state.
"This deal also fixes overtime. Child protection caseworkers were accruing hundreds of hours of unpaid overtime every month, and this contributed to burnout and excessive sick leave.
"Minister Kate Washington is to be commended for championing the most vulnerable, voiceless and unseen members of our community, little kids in dire situations, and the brave child protection caseworkers who stand between them and abuse and neglect."
