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Where the Voting Power Lies

When voting is one person, one vote, headcount shows where the numerical weight sits.

Top cohort by total headcount

Administrative Services is the largest workgroup shown, representing 63.64% of the total voter base in this table.

Total headcount 23,970
Total shown 37,404
# Employee Workgroup Total headcount % of total headcount
1 Administrative Services 23,970 63.64%
2 Operational Services 3,805 10.17%
3 Professional Officers 1,816 4.86%
4 Correctional Officers 1,055 2.82%
5 Technical Services 758 2.03%
#1

Administrative Services

Headcount 23,970 % of total headcount 63.64%

#2

Operational Services

Headcount 3,805 % of total headcount 10.17%

#3

Professional Officers

Headcount 1,816 % of total headcount 4.86%

#4

Correctional Officers

Headcount 1,055 % of total headcount 2.82%

#5

Technical Services

Headcount 758 % of total headcount 2.03%

Extracted from the “SA public sector by employee and appointment types” table on page 22. Totals shown only.
Source: https://www.publicsector.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/1205462/2025-Workforce-Information-Report.pdf
MYTH BUST • ASO POWER

Myth: “PSA can’t fight because ASOs aren’t members.”

Reality check: using the councillor-based member estimates, ASOs are about 31.25% of the average implied membership shown below — the biggest slice.

In a member-run union, that means: you’ve got power.

Plain English

More ASO members = more ASO councillors.

The rules scale councillors by membership. So if ASOs are the biggest bloc, the question isn’t “why aren’t there more ASO members?” — it’s:

Why aren't the biggest bloc being backed by the PSA?

The councillor rule (simple)

~500 members = 1 councillor

That’s why the numbers below matter: councillors are meant to follow members.

ASO myth bust (in one hit)

ASOs ≈ 31.25% of implied avg membership

That’s the largest slice in this estimate not including overlap into Health and Education: so “ASOs aren’t members” is not the point. The point is: Why aren't they being backed like the biggest bloc?

ASO electorate (Electorate 5)

2,501 – 3,000

Avg: 2,750.5 members • Councillors: 6

Total implied membership shown

7,604 – 10,000

Avg: 8,802 members across the electorates listed.

#1

ASOs (Electorate 5)

Avg 2,750.5 • % of total members 31.25% • Councillors 6

#2

Health (Electorate 2)

Avg 2,250.5 • % of total members 25.57% • Councillors 5

#2

Operational Services (Electorate 7)

Avg 2,250.5 • % of total members 25.57% • Councillors 5

#4

Professionals (Electorate 6)

Avg 750.5 • % of total members 8.52% • Councillors 2

#5

Schools (Electorate 3)

Avg 400 • % of total members 4.54% • Councillors 1

#5

Other (Electorate 8)

Avg 400 • % of total members 4.54% • Councillors 1

Bottom line

The ASO myth from PSA officials is busted, but has caused division, in reality: Every Member Counts.

So if any member speak up and get shut down, that’s not “low density”. That’s a representation problem.

What you can do next

Take it back for members.

You don’t have to leave. You can use the rules to force a meeting, force a vote, and hold officers accountable.

1) Start with the idea: members control the union

Rule reference: CPSU SA Branch Rule 24 (“Control by members”)

This is the key mindset shift. You’re not “customers”. You’re the owners.

  • Turn up, vote, and bring others.
  • Use meetings + ballots to set direction.
  • Don’t get shouted down — get organised.

2) Force a member meeting (Special General Meeting)

Rule reference: PSA Rule 78–79 (100-member requisition + members can convene)

If leadership won’t listen, you make it formal: call a meeting with a clear motion.

  • Get 100 members to sign a written requisition (state the objective).
  • If the Council drags it out, the rules say members can convene it themselves (after time limits).
  • Keep the motion simple: “Rescind X” / “Require Y” / “Publish Z”.

Download a copy of the requisition template here

3) Force a vote of all members (Referendum)

Rule reference: CPSU SA Branch Rule 25 (10% of financial members)

If you want the whole membership to decide, you can push a referendum.

  • Get signatures from 10% of financial members.
  • Write it as an affirmative question (“Yes/No”).
  • Attach a short, factual statement supporting it.

4) Hold officers accountable (No-confidence / censure motion)

Rule reference: CPSU SA Branch Rule 19 (notice + 21 days + 2/3 vote)

If an officer’s conduct is the problem, you can make it official.

  • Give notice at a prior meeting.
  • Give the officer the allegations in writing at least 21 days before the meeting.
  • It passes with a two-thirds majority of those present and entitled to vote.

If the deal is voted down

A NO vote means: back to the table.

It doesn’t “break everything”. It’s a signal: “This isn’t good enough.” The power move is pairing a NO vote with a clear member plan: what’s required next, and what escalation members will support.

Want to read the PSA rulebook yourself? 👉 PSA Rulebook (SAET PDF)

If you're interested in the CPSU rulebook, go here 👉 CPSU Rulebook (Fairwork Commission Word Document)

Disclaimer

This page is an educational explainer. It’s not legal advice. Always check the latest registered rules and get proper advice if you plan formal motions, ballots, or industrial steps.