The APS pay dispute is likely to drag on, advocates say. 

The ongoing pay dispute between the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) and federal government agencies, represented by the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC), is expected to persist until at least October, despite a new offer to be presented this week.

According to timelines provided by the CPSU, it will take a minimum of four weeks to obtain results from a member ballot. 

This timetable dashes hopes of a swift resolution that the APSC had anticipated and heightens the probability of extensive, multi-day strikes at Services Australia, which is leading the sector-wide negotiations.

The union says it is determined to secure a significantly improved offer compared to the initial 10.5 per cent proposal by the government, a proposal that was overwhelmingly rejected in the last ballot.

The APSC, rather than presenting a revised offer ahead of Monday's deadline, has chosen to dig in, citing various issues such as flexible work arrangements and leave provisions that require resolution.

Melissa Donnelly, CPSU national secretary, noted the strong reaction of union members to the initial pay proposals and emphasised the need for the government to enhance public services, which had suffered under the previous administration.

Following negotiations, the CPSU plans to engage extensively with APS members to discuss various aspects of the negotiated package, including the pay offer, pay equity mechanism, working conditions, and employee rights.

The union is advocating for a more ambitious approach to APS pay equity, backpay for pay rise delays, a uniform pay rise date across agencies, and improved pay equity across agencies. 

The lack of equivalency in pay across agencies is seen as a significant hurdle to the mobility of public servants within the bureaucracy, discouraging talent from moving to agencies with lower pay scales despite having the same grade.

The CPSU is also focused on Individual Flexibility Arrangements used to compensate APS staff outside standard pay structures, arguing that these individual deals hinder overall pay improvements and tend to favour men over women in their application.

The union has already implemented work bans and early walk-offs at Services Australia and has the legal authority to escalate to an unlimited number of full-day strikes after members voted for industrial sanctions in a protected action ballot earlier this year.

The CPSU has submitted a claim for a pay increase of 20 per cent over three years. 

Should the government agree to annual pay rises of 5 per cent over three years, the cumulative pay increase would reach 15 per cent, potentially establishing a benchmark for other forthcoming negotiations.

Regarding the CPSU's 20 per cent wage rise demand, Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe has previously stated that productivity gains exceeding the Consumer Price Index would be necessary to offset potential inflationary effects.