3% pay rise confirmed for public servants, RSAs to seek approval

Over 145,000 public servants captured in the Alesco Payroll System will see a 3% increase in their pay starting January 26, 2026.

According to Deputy Secretary Policy for the Department of Personnel Management, Ellison Kalimet, the increase will be effective for the government agencies that are covered under the Public Servants Management Act only.

Mr Kalimet told NBC News, that public servants who come under Regulatory Statutory Authorities [RSA] are an exception.

“For the RSAs, they’ve got their own pay structure. Their pay structure isn’t the same as the common public servant pay structure, hence the state sanctioned 3% increase will only apply to those agencies which fall under the Public Servants Management Act.”

He added that RSAs must apply to the Salary and Conditions Monitoring Committee (SCMC) and show they have the financial capacity to fund the increase. The SCMC will then decide if those agencies can implement the pay rise.

Mr. Kalimet said mainstream public servants will receive the increase from January 26, 2026, but future pay adjustments will depend on the availability of government funding.

The 3% increase follows the signing of the 2026–2028 Pay Fixation Agreement last week between the Department of Personnel Management and the Public Employees Association [PEA] in Port Moresby.

The pay rise has already been included in the 2026 National Budget.

DPM Secretary Taies Sansan said the agreement provides “fair and sustainable improvements to salaries and conditions” for public servants, while ensuring “responsible fiscal management.”

PEA President Isowa More welcomed the agreement, calling it a “milestone in maintaining industrial harmony and improving public service welfare.”