The State Government has banned the use of consultants and contractors for core work such as policy development, cutting the enormous amount NSW was paying the outsourcing industry.

Public Sector agencies will rely on Public Sector workers, and will only be able to use external advisers in certain circumstances, such as when external specialist skills are required, for independent advice, or when additional staff are required on a temporary basis.

According to The Australian Financial Review, “the state government spent almost $60 million on consultancies and $1.7 billion on contractors in the 2024 financial year”.

The PSA has long campaigned against the over-reliance of the State Government on consultants.

“We welcome this move,” said General Secretary Stewart Little. “We are confident that NSW taxpayers will get better value for money and accountability will improve now the Government has weaned itself off its overuse of external providers such as consultants.”