News Flash

The PSA has been in discussions with Families SA regarding their concerns about filling positions in some areas. Families SA is undertaking projects about this. The PSA has advised Families SA that there are certain options they could try but Families SA has rejected this. The Allied Health Professionals (AHP) structure was established in response to concerns about recruitment and retention of the professionals within the AHP stream, which includes Social Workers.

The PSA position in Enterprise Bargaining negotiations has been that there should be progression from AHP 1 to AHP 2, and that promotional positions should commence at the 3rd level i.e. AHP 3 or PO 3.

The 2010 Enterprise Agreement is a vehicle for achieving this with all PO 1s previously at the 6th and 7th increments translating to AHP 2, 1st increment at 14th January 2010. There now being a peer group assessment process for AHP 1 after they have been at the top increment for 12 months to progress to AHP 2.

PSA has suggested that all base grade positions be advertised at AHP1/AHP 2 with a salary range of “$51,254 – $76,880” and with the comment “Appointment to or progression to AHP 2 as determined by the 2010 Enterprise Agreement”. This has been rejected by Families SA. PSA also advised that Chief Executives are entitled to pay an allowance to country based employees to assist in recruitment which is up 100% of salary. PSA has received no response.

It may be appropriate in some instances for dual classification of positions where social work qualifications were deemed to be highly desirable but not essential, e.g. OPS 3/OPS 4 or AHP 1, OPS 5/OPS 6 or AHP 2. Appointment at the AHP level dependent on having or obtaining the desired qualification. This suggestion was rejected by the Department of Families and Communities.

The PSA is aware of the cost pressures that the Government has put all departments under. This is no excuse for not developing good policies to respond to concerns about recruitment and retention to ensure the government can fulfill it's statutory obligation.

17 November 2010