WHAT: 2000 public servants walk off the job & protest at Parliament House
WHEN: Wednesday 15 October 2025, 12:00 NOON (for 12.30)
WHERE: Parliament House, North Terrace, Adelaide
MORE INFO:
Essential workers on ‘poverty wages’ call on Premier to step in
Desperate child protection caseworkers, State Emergency Service crews and other essential workers are calling on Premier Peter Malinauskas to step in and lift them out of poverty after wage negotiations with the government broke down.
The workers have seen a 21-24% reduction in real wages over the last six years and incredibly many have slipped below the award safety net by almost $4,000.
Over the last six years the workers have received annual pay rises equivalent to 1% a year, while inflation has been running as high as 7.2% in that same period pushing up the price of food, rent and utilities.
Most Australian workers get annual pay increases of 3.5% as a minimum - so after 6 years most workers would see their pay rise by 21%. These workers have only seen 6%.
It is estimated these workers are earning $15,000 a year less than 6 years ago in real terms.
The 40,000 workers are amongst the lowest paid in the state.
Some are on as little as $55,000 a year.
The minimum wage is $49,000.
During negotiations for a three year Enterprise Agreement with the government, which have dragged on since September 2024, the government has offered 3.75% in the first year, 3.5% in the second year and 3.25% for the final year.
But public sector workers say this just locks in their poverty wages.
By way of comparison to other states a common administration position in SA is paid $58,709, but in WA it's paid $73,954 (26% higher), in the ACT $67,872 (16% higher), and in Tasmania $66,766 (14% higher).
A recent survey by the union which represents the workers, The Public Service Association (PSA), found many were at breaking point:
“This offer is disgusting and doesn't even begin to cover inflation since our last EB. My rent alone has gone up 65% since then, and groceries are costing an extra $200 a fortnight. This is robbery. I’m ready to pack my family up and move interstate to work,” said one respondent.
“It’s a massive slap in the face. I have two small kids and one on the way, and the government thinks this is sustainable. Absolute joke of an offer,” said another.
“If anyone wonders why people are leaving the SA public service in droves, this is the answer: we are unappreciated, unvalued, and treated like second-class citizens,” said yet another.
Newly elected PSA General Secretary Charlotte Watson says public sector workers across the state are having trouble buying groceries, paying rent and keeping up with bills.
“Despite their vital roles in keeping this state running, many of our members are struggling to survive, forced to choose between paying rent or buying groceries or medication,” she said.
“Our members have seen a 20% reduction in real wages in the last decade, that’s like losing 20 cents on every dollar you were earning in 2015.
“We are calling on Premier Peter Malinauskas to step in and lift our members out of poverty.
“Across the public service we are haemorrhaging staff, we can’t attract people and we can’t retain people, there’s hundreds of jobs unfilled, people have voted with their feet and just left.”
Contact: Tim Brunero 0405 285 547