Bulletin 5 - Northern Territory Public Sector Enterprise Agreement negotiations - issued 3 September 2025

Northern Territory Public Sector Enterprise Agreement negotiations

*This bulletin only applies to employees covered by the Northern Territory Public Sector 2021-2025*

Upcoming VOTE on the new Northern Territory Public Sector 2025-2029 Enterprise Agreement

I am pleased to advise that following genuine consideration of all feedback from employees and bargaining representatives to the offer I made on 5 August 2025, I have updated the offer for a new Northern Territory Public Sector 2025-2029 Enterprise Agreement.

The offer provides a 3% per annum salary increase over the four years which provide real compounding wages growth of 12.55%.  The offer will keep your wages above the current and predicted CPI over the next four years provides, as well competitive salaries and solid employment conditions for employees.

In a genuine attempt to settle negotiations and finalise bargaining, I believe that it is now time to give employees the opportunity to have their say and vote on the proposed agreement.

Summary of improvements

In addition to the details in the offer I presented in Bulletin 4 I have added the following improvements:

• Katherine and Alice Springs retention allowance – I have increased the retention allowance for employees in Katherine and Alice Springs to $1750 per annum for employees who have 12 months continuous service in either of these locations immediately prior to, and on the date the Agreement commences. This will continue for each subsequent 12 months service and will attract an additional $210 in superannuation for employees in Choice of Fund Superannuation schemes.                          
  *available to staff who do not already have access to a recruitment and retention allowance
• Professional development allowance (PDA) – in addition to the increase in the annual PDA, an employee in their first year of employment who has completed 6 months or more continuous service on the entitlement date (1 January annually), will be entitled to claim up to 50% of the Professional Development Allowance.
• Professional incentive allowance (PIA) – I have increased the new top of the range PIA. Professional employees with 12 months or more service at the top of the range will receive an allowance ranging between $850 and $1850 per annum, depending on their level as follows:

• Further improvements to Schedule 8 Correctional Officers as outlined in the improved offer that recognises the important senior leadership roles these employees undertake.

Full details on this improved offer PDF (230.4 KB) are available.

Online ballot process opens 12 September 2025 – Your vote is confidential

On 4 September 2025 you will be sent information regarding the proposed Northern Territory Public Sector 2025-2029 Enterprise Agreement, including a link to the proposed agreement and an explanatory document highlighting the changes compared with 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 link by Vero on 12 September 2025 which will provide your unique login credentials and details about how to cast your confidential vote.

Ballot timetable

The timetable for the ballot is:

The ballot count will be conducted at the Vero Voting office (5/100 Railway Road Subiaco WA 6008). The Commissioner will advise employees of the ballot result via a Bulletin and notice on the enterprise bargaining website for the General NTPS Enterprise Agreement Negotiations.

More information

For further information on the proposed agreement or the ballot process, please contact OCPE via enquiries.ocpe@nt.gov.au or phone 08 8999 4282.

Nicole Hurwood
Commissioner for Public Employment
3 September 2025