The Federal Government has proposed a 3 per cent pay increase for commonwealth public servants.

The government this week put forth an interim workplace relations policy that includes a 3 per cent pay increase for those with a pay increase due before 31 August 2023 under the Public Sector Interim Workplace Arrangements 2022.

The government says it wants to create “certainty and consistency” across agencies.

Agency-specific conditions are set to be negotiated at the individual agency level.

Minister for the public service Katy Gallagher said the government is keen to establish the public service as a model employer.

“The government is committed to working in partnership with agencies, unions and employees to develop a comprehensive workplace relations approach for the Australian Public Service,” she said.

“This is a complex undertaking as there are significant differences in pay, terms and conditions across the commonwealth. The proposed reform will need to include careful consideration and consultation on these matters.”

CPSU national secretary Melissa Donnelly said the union will work with the government on new deals.

“For too long, the capability of the APS has been stymied by fragmented pay and conditions and APS workers have been locked out of genuine bargaining,” Ms Donnelly said.

“The previous government’s pay caps and restrictions on enhancements to working conditions left agencies and their employees little to no room to genuinely negotiate.

“CPSU members are committed to the important work they do for the Australian public.”

The CPSU appears to be generally optimistic about the 3 per cent pay increase, though it has pointed out that the current figure is below inflation and should be seen only as a starting point in negotiations.

“The CPSU hopes to commence service-wide bargaining as soon as possible to achieve wage growth and conditions improvements for APS workers,” a union statement says.