Bulletin 16 - access period - 28 May 2026

The purpose of this bulletin is to distribute the proposed Northern Territory Public Service Fire and Rescue Service 2025 – 2029 Enterprise Agreement for your consideration prior to casting your vote. Read the proposed NTPS Fire and Rescue Service 2025 – 2029 Enterprise Agreement PDF (1.2 MB).

To assist you to understand the differences between your current agreement and the proposed new agreement, read the explanatory notes PDF (419.0 KB) which highlight the changes.

You should read these documents to understand the agreement you will be voting on when the ballot opens. Printed copies of the proposed new agreement and explanatory notes will be available around workplaces for your information.

This revised offer reflects further significant concessions made during the recent s240 process in response to the key claims raised including:

Please consider the full revised offer PDF (7.2 MB) which details the suite of improvements building on those already presented in previous bulletins.

It is my view that the offer made, when set against the Northern Territory’s already nationally competitive firefighter employment arrangements, represents a strong and balanced outcome that warrants support.

Please contact Workforce Services on 1800 225 547 or notify your manager if:

• you need assistance in reading or understanding the proposed agreement, or
• you do not have access to these documents.

Make your vote count

Ballot timetable

The ballot process will be conducted online by Vero Engagement and Voting Solutions Pty Ltd (Vero) and the timeline is as follows:

Bulletin 14 contains information about the ballot process. The ballot opens on 5 June 2026, and I encourage you to have your say by casting a vote.

The ballot process will be conducted online. An email will be sent to you at your NTPS email address on 4 June 2026. This email will be sent by Vero and will contain your unique login credentials to access the voting portal along with steps on how to cast and submit your confidential electronic vote.

Your ballot will be emailed using the email account details contained in myHR. If you won’t have access to your NTPS email during the ballot period or would prefer the electronic ballot to be sent to your private email account, email support@verovoting.com.au or call 1300 702 898 and provide your updated details (preferred email account) as soon as possible.

If the majority of employees who vote, vote YES and the Fair Work Commission approve the agreement, it will replace the current agreement and pay increases will be backdated to the first full pay period after 20 March 2026.

If this offer is not accepted at ballot, I will proceed to make an application to the Fair Work Commission to resolve the dispute through the intractable bargaining provisions, noting that all available options to reach agreement through negotiation will have been exhausted. This will likely be a lengthy and difficult process which will further delay your access to any improvements under this agreement. I encourage you to consider any unresolved issues and weigh this up in your voting decision.

More information

Bargaining updates in relation to the bargaining process will be posted to NTFRS Enterprise Agreement negotiations.

You should read these documents to understand the agreement you will be voting on when the ballot opens. Links to other relevant documents can be found here:

• Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth)
• Public Sector Employment and Management Act and Regulations, By-Laws, Employment Instructions and Determinations
• Northern Territory Public Sector Enterprise Award 2016 [MA000151]
• Northern Territory legislation
• Commonwealth legislation
• Previous bulletins relating to these negotiations.

For further information on the proposed new agreement (or materials referenced in the agreement), the explanatory notes or the ballot process, email OCPE at enquiries.ocpe@nt.gov.au.

Nicole Hurwood
Commissioner for Public Employment