Update on Enterprise Bargaining and Pay Offer
On 9 December 2025, the Government made a formal pay offer as part of the current ACT Public Sector Enterprise Agreement bargaining.
Following further negotiations, the ACT Government has now provided an improved offer to bargaining parties. This updated offer includes increases to the pay offer, while retaining all entitlements included in the previous offer.
Summary of Offer
The Government is proposing a three-year agreement term with salary increases totalling 9%, plus an increase to superannuation reaching 13% before the end of the agreement. This represents an additional 1.5% salary increase over the life of the Agreement compared to the previous offer. The pay offer comprises percentage increases payable twice a year in July and February as outlined in the table below, a familiar pattern from recent agreements which sees workers with more of an increase sooner.
| Agreement Year | Percentage Increase | Date of Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3% |
1.5% July 2026 1.5% February 2027 |
| Year 2 | 3% |
1.5% July 2027 1.5% February 2028 |
Year 3 . Superannuation |
3% +0.5% (reaching 13%) |
1.5% July 2028 1.5% February 2029 1 July 2028 |
In order to provide this improved pay offer, the Government has made an amendment to the timing of the superannuation increase. Employer superannuation contributions will increase to 13% from 1 July 2028, replacing the previously proposed commenced date of 1 January 2028.
Leading the Way on Leave Conditions and Entitlements
The following entitlements, all of which were included in the previous offer, will continue to form part of the revised offer:
- Remove the existing cap on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Leave, ensuring employees can access the leave they need without restriction. In addition, strengthen the range of supports available to employees experiencing, or have previously experienced these circumstances.
- Increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ceremonial leave, doubling the current leave entitlement to provide up to 10 days paid leave per year. In addition, new provisions will enable employees to work from Country following a ceremony or Sorry Business, fostering connection to Country.
- New supports and leave entitlements will be provided for parents who experience pregnancy loss.
- Introduce additional paid parental leave entitlements for premature birth ensuring employees continue to receive their full paid parental leave entitlement, by providing additional paid leave when a baby is born before 37 weeks’ gestation.
- Broaden the eligibility for Reproductive Leave and double the current leave entitlement, providing up to 10 days of paid leave per year.
- Extend existing Religious Leave to also cover other cultural purposes, with the entitlement increased to add one day of paid leave per year in addition to existing unpaid leave entitlements.
- Parental Leave changes from 1 July 2027 to consolidate leave types for ease of understanding and access, and to include:
- the existing 24 weeks paid leave to birthing parents;
- 18 weeks paid leave for non-birthing parents;
- expanded access to parental leave for both parents, with the option to take leave concurrently and flexibly within a 24‑month period; and
- Removal of the 12‑month service requirement for permanent employees to access the new Parental Leave entitlement.
Next steps and further information
Now that the Government has tabled the revised offer, the ACT Government Bargaining Team will continue seeking feedback from bargaining representatives as part of the ongoing negotiation process.
A number of claims have now moved into the drafting stage, with several draft provisions already shared with bargaining parties for consideration. The Government will continue to respond to the remaining claims and work collaboratively with representatives to progress and finalise the common core.
If you have any questions about the offer, please contact the ACT Government Bargaining Team at eba@act.gov.au, your union, workplace delegate, or your relevant Directorate Human Resources area.
You can find versions of the current enterprise agreements on the Employment Portal Enterprise Agreements page.
Industrial Action Advice
If you are an employee or manager and have questions on Industrial Action please refer to the Industrial Action Advice page.