Bulletin 3 - Enterprise Agreement negotiations to commence - issued 13 August 2025
On the 7 August 2025 a second meeting was scheduled to commence negotiations for a new Correctional Officer Enterprise Agreement. The meeting was attended by the United Workers Union.
The parties discussed the bargaining process and committed to bargaining in good faith and to work constructively to finalise a new agreement, with the intention this be achieved before the expiry of the current agreement on the 2 December 2025. All parties to negotiations were reminded of the expected behaviour during negotiations, and that the NTPS Code of Conduct applies at all times. It was made clear that the Northern Territory Public Sector (NTPS) Enterprise Bargaining Policy -2025 - 2028 PDF (133.0 KB) sets the parameters for the employer's engagement in these negotiations.
The lead bargaining representatives for the Department of Corrections will be Deputy Commissioners Alecia Brimson and Kymberley McKay. The Corrections Commissioner outlined the strategic employer claims to be considered during this bargaining process which focus on improving operational effectiveness and efficiency and supporting workforce safety, attendance and accountability in a 24/7 custodial environment.
The Department of Corrections will soon provide a detailed log of claims for bargaining, but outlined a series of high-level themes which will form the foundation of the Department's position. These include:
- Review the clauses that impact the Commissioner of Corrections' powers to make decisions about the operations of the correctional centres,
- Review operating model clauses in the agreement to ensure safe staffing arrangements are aligned to the Department's industrial and operational obligations
- Review the consolidated allowance model - with a view of incentivising attendance in areas where there are critical shift shortages - in particular nightshift and weekends
- Review the current rostering provisions to ensure the agency can meet its operational requirements with respect to 24/7 operational needs
- Review leave management and attendance principles and practices to enhance employee wellbeing and reduce the operational impact of absences
- Implement a Department-led Fatigue Management Framework
- Review higher duties and promotional eligibility to ensure core training completion and capability requirements are maintained and align qualification requirements to public sector frameworks
- Consider introducing a suitably trained part-time and casual workforce to assist support safe staffing levels, fatigue management and rostering gaps.
Detailed discussion about the log of claims lodged by the UWU on the 18 July 2025 will commence at the next meeting.
The Department of Treasury and Finance provided an economic update, which included details on the relativity of wage increases for Correctional Officers covered under this agreement to Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Cumulative growth in Correctional Officer salaries since 2010 is higher than cumulative growth in CPI
NT Corrections Officer salaries vs Darwin consumer price index
Series: NTPS Correctional Officer Salary Index and Northern Territory CPI (Source: ABS)
This graph demonstrates our wages continue to be above CPI.
Meetings will be held weekly, with the next scheduled for Friday 15 August 2025.
Have your say - your feedback is important
Should you wish to provide feedback during this process, you can do so by emailing enquiries.ocpe@nt.gov.au
More information
Regular updates in relation to the bargaining process will be posted on the OCPE website.
Information on bargaining in general can be obtained on the Fair Work Commissioner website or you can call their information line on 1300 799 675.
Nicole Hurwood
Commissioner for Public Employment
Matthew Varley
Commissioner of Corrections