A meeting of the PSA Working Group was held on Thursday 21 February 2008 to discuss and further develop the PSA's draft submission to the review of Work Level Definitions.

The PSA reported on the recent meeting with Public Sector Workforce Division (PSWD) where it was agreed submissions provided by Agencies would be forwarded to the PSA. These are not yet finalised and are expected to be made available next week. The PSA believes it is important to address issues raised by agencies before finalising its submission. The current deadline is the 16^th March 2008, however PSWD have indicated an extension can be provided if needed.

The main issues discussed at the PSA Working Group meeting included;

• The interstate Work Level Definitions document compiled by the PSA and their relevance and usefulness.

• Ensuring the level 1 definitions are appropriate to the role of new graduates.

• Discussion on difficulties to progressing up the levels, without the need to have management responsibilities and how this is an impediment to career development within the public sector.

• Option of having 3 better defined streams for practitioners, specialists and managers.

In addition, the PSA is keen to provide examples and case studies of difficulties members have experienced with the new Professional/Medical Scientist structure as part of the submission, for example the payment of the Manager's allowance, transition issues, etc. These would be provided without names or details supplied, but would assist in highlighting problems. Please email professional@cpsu.asn.au if you have any examples, to request copies of documentation to date, or to be included in the working party's email list.

The Work Level Definitions can be accessed here. The next meeting will be held at 2:30pm on Thursday 13^th March 2008 at the PSA. 

If you have any questions regarding this meeting please contact Ian Peak Acting Assistant Chief Industrial Officer on ian@cpsu.asn.au. 

PSA WORKING FOR MEMBERS