Bulletin 6 - Correctional Officer Enterprise Agreement Negotiations - issued 5 March 2026
Revised offer for new enterprise agreement
Following feedback from the United Workers Union (UWU) on my initial offer and with consideration to the bargaining meetings that have been held this year, I have made a revised ‘without prejudice’ offer for a new Correctional Officer Enterprise Agreement to replace the Correctional Officer (NTPS) 2021-2025 Enterprise Agreement, which expired on 2 December 2025.
Offer details and back pay commitment
The offer provides 3% per annum salary increase for each year over the 4-year agreement, providing real compounding wages growth of 12.55% over the term of the agreement.
If this offer is accepted when put to a vote, the first salary increase will be backdated to the first full pay period commencing on or after 2 December 2025, when the last pay increase occurred.
A number of other improvements to my last offer have been included, which consider the feedback provided by the UWU:
- Inclusion of core training provisions into the agreement
A core training clause to acknowledge the importance of mandatory training for the health, wellbeing and capability of the correctional officer workforce.
- Commitment to assess work camp roles
A clause in the agreement to examine the difference of duties and responsibilities for correctional officers based in a work camp.
- Increased wellness allowance
Enhancement of the wellness allowance so it can be used to purchase fitness related equipment.
Furthermore, employees who have completed their core training will be entitled to claim an additional $250 each calendar year to support wellness or fitness capability requirements.
- Alice Springs retention
In recognising the positive outcomes associated with Alice Springs attraction and retention allowance in the Correctional Officer (NTPS) 2021-2025 Enterprise Agreement alongside ongoing recruitment campaigns for the Alice Springs region, a commitment to continuing to monitor the staffing levels in Alice Springs to ensure that sustainable staffing levels are maintained.
- Procedural fairness
In response to concerns raised with regards to the management of discipline, investigation and/or suspension matters, inclusion of the management of unsatisfactory performance and disciplinary proceedings clause introduced in the Northern Territory Public Sector 2025-2029 Enterprise Agreement.
- Rostering practices
Agreement to a number of claims relevant to rostering practices that are being worked through operationally as part of your roster reform with your employee representatives.
- Improvements to compassionate leave provisions
Changes to clarify that employees may utilise paid compassionate leave during periods of approved recreation or personal leave. These enhancements offer increased flexibility and support for employees during difficult circumstances.
- Removal of employer efficiencies
The employer efficiency to revert the current 2-year requirement for an employee to remain on the redeployee database, back to the provision in the Correctional Officer (NTPS) 2017 – 2021 Enterprise Agreement has been withdrawn.
Read the full details of the improved offer PDF (577.1 KB) so that you are aware of the other improvements included and exactly what is included in this offer.
In the interest of enabling employees access to the range of improved terms and conditions contained within the full offer as soon as possible, and in light of the already nationally competitive terms and conditions available to correctional officers in the NT, I would encourage you to support his offer.
To ensure employees can access the new terms, conditions of employment, and allowances as soon as possible, I believe it is now time to provide employees with the opportunity to have their say on the revised Agreement.
Next Steps
On 9 March 2026, you will be sent information regarding the proposed Correctional Officer (NTPS) 2025-2029 Enterprise Agreement, including a link to the proposed agreement and an explanatory document highlighting the changes compared to your current agreement.
Hard copies of these documents will also be available throughout your workplace. This will provide you the opportunity to understand the offer and see what changes are proposed.
The ballot process will be conducted by Vero Engagement and Voting Solutions Pty Ltd (Vero), and you will be sent an email by Vero on 16 March 2026 which will provide your unique login credentials and details about how to cast your confidential vote.
Ballot timeline
The ballot timeline is as follows:
Thursday 5 March 2026 | Advice to employees of improved offer and ballot details |
Monday 9 March 2026 | Distribution and access to the proposed agreement and explanatory material |
Tuesday 17 March 2026 | Ballot opens at 8am |
Friday 27 March 2026 | Ballot closes at 10am Results declared |
The ballot count will be conducted at the Vero Voting office in 5/100 Railway Road, Subiaco WA 6008. I will advise employees of the ballot result via a bulletin and a notice on the enterprise bargaining webpage.
More information
Regular updates in relation to the bargaining process will be posted about the Correctional Officer (NTPS) Enterprise Agreement.
For more information on bargaining in general, go to the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
Yours sincerely,
Nicole Hurwood
Commissioner for Public Employment
March 2026