Bulletin 7 - Bargaining update - issued October 2026
Retention and Remote Services Allowance
Thank you to those employees who attended the meeting on 20 October 2026, requested by the Community Public Sector Union seeking clarification on the Retention and Remote Services Allowance and the Excess Travel Time provisions.
The meeting confirmed that employees whose retention allowance falls due after the nominal expiry of the current Agreement, but before the commencement of a replacement Agreement, will be paid at the 2025 rate. If the agreement is voted up, employees paid at the 2025 rate will receive an adjustment to reflect the 2026 rate proposed to take effect in accordance with my offer from 21 August 2026.
My office also provided clarification that Excess Travel Time provisions provide time off in lieu for excess time spent in travel while on duty to remote communities, which includes return travel associated with any duty.
As you are aware, these are only 2 of the improvements made to the offer I presented on Friday 9 October 2026 which will open for ballot soon.
Ballot
The proposed Dental Officers’ 2026 – 2030 Enterprise Agreement is now in the access period and voting will open on 26 October 2026.
This offer delivers salary and allowance increases of 3% per annum, providing an overall compounded increase of 12.55% over 4 years. It also includes a number of improvements to professional development, higher duties arrangements, leave provisions and allowance administration.
Employees should be aware that, under the Government's Wages Policy, salary increases generally take effect from the commencement of an approved agreement. Notwithstanding this, the current offer includes salary increases backdated to the expiry of the current Agreement and maintains our NTPS Dental Officers are amongst the highest paid nationally.
As you would appreciate, it is not possible to agree to all claims during bargaining, however, we have genuinely considered all claims put forward during negotiations and will continue to maintain that this offer, which reflects the full extent of the NTPS Wages Policy, represents a fair, balanced and sustainable package of improvements.
If the proposed Agreement is not supported, existing provisions will continue to apply until such time as a new agreement is approved, therefore withholding access to the many improvements put forward in the current offer.
More information
Links to the proposed agreement, explanatory notes and relevant documents referenced in the proposed agreement are available in Bulletin 6. There should also be hard copies of the proposed agreement and explanatory notes in your workplace.
For further information on the proposed agreement, the explanatory notes or the ballot process, please contact OCPE by email at enquiries.ocpe@nt.gov.au or call 08 8999 4282.
Regular updates in relation to the bargaining process will be posted on the OCPE webpage dedicated to the Dental Officers Enterprise Agreement.
Nicole Hurwood
Commissioner for Public Employment
October 2026