SA Police win major pay rise of 11.2-17.9 per cent over the next year

South Australian Police officers have won the biggest pay rise in 30 years in a bid to stem the mass exodus from the force. See how much each rank will earn.

SA Police officers have won a landmark pay and conditions deal that will see salaries increase up to 17.9 per cent within a single year in a bid to combat the exodus of officers.

The arrangement will see pay rises for minimum increases ranging from 11.2 per cent to 17.9 per cent – depending on rank and increment – over the next 12 months.

The pay rise will be delivered in two stages, with a four per cent increase and $2500 retention salary added from January 1 next year. The remaining increases, plus a one-off $3500 payment, will be delivered from the first full pay period after January 1, 2026.

The deal represents the largest base pay increase, comparative, since the first police enterprise deal in SA in 1995.

For some ranks, the latest deal delivers more cash than the total increase provided by the entirety of the previous three-year enterprise agreement.

Police Association of SA president Wade Burns says the new pay deal will help prevent a “mass exodus” from the force. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Police Association of SA president Wade Burns told The Advertiser he viewed the agreement as the “last chance to prevent a mass exodus from SA Police”.

“It’s a historic outcome and a significant step forward for the future of policing in this state,” Mr Burns said.

“It’s also important to note the base pay rise figures don’t include allowances, shift penalties and other negotiated outcomes … so calculated on these significantly higher base salaries, allowances and shift penalties will be worth more to members.”

The deal also abolishes the junior cadet rate, delivering a massive 47.4 per cent immediate pay rise to new recruits under the age of 21.

Mr Burns said that move “will help to restore policing as a job of choice for young people” and act as a “massive boost for SAPOL’s recruitment team”.

The deal also includes changes to a range of workplace conditions, particularly around roster patterns that the union said were detrimental to officers’ health.

Mr Burns said those changes were crucial for “safeguarding policing in SA”.

SA Police officers will receive minimum pay rises of 11.2 to 17.9 per cent. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Emma Brasier

A Response Extended Hours Roster (REHR) will be implemented within 24/7 regional general duties and dog operation units, meaning officers will have six days on duty and four days off, instead of being forced to work seven night shifts in a row.

Negotiations for the REHR for other units within SA Police are still on the negotiating table.

Officers will also have the right to disconnect from work after hours, while On Call Allowance will be amended to be paid at an hourly rate instead of between rostered shifts.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said the “state government is committed to building” a strong “police force and supporting those officers who put their lives on the line” to keep the community safe.

“This action should not be held up by the enterprise bargaining process, and we have agreed to take these practical steps as an immediate priority while we continue bargaining negotiations,” he said.

Police Minister Dan Cregan said the government wanted to prioritise working conditions for young recruits.

“We want the very best applicants joining South Australia Police and to have the framework in place to support them during their careers,” he said.

However, Shadow Police Minister Jack Batty said the pay bump was overdue.

“The test now will be how the new pay compares to interstate jurisdictions, which offer huge incentives to prospective police,” he said.

“We’ve always said the best police recruitment strategy is a strong police retention strategy … Now (the government) should get on with fixing the giant shortfall in police numbers.”

The deal also includes a recognition initiative allowing for quicker progression through the ranks as an incentive to retain police and allow them to increase their salary.

A new classification of Sergeant First Class will be added to the ranks following the completion of five years of service as a Sergeant.

Similarly, officers can become Senior Sergeant First Class after five years instead of 10.

This deal is an administrative arrangement rather than the conventional three-year agreement, and a suite of other conditions remain up for negotiation between the union and the government next year.

Further negotiations include items like changes to superannuation, country housing arrangements, and other retention and recognition initiatives.

Originally published as SA Police win major pay rise of 11.2-17.9 per cent over the next year