Pay boost confirmed for thousands of NSW public workers

Public sector wages had been capped at 2.5 per cent under the previous coalition government.

Minister for Industrial Relations and Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said the pay rise, confirmed by the government on Friday, would help address recruitment and retention.

"This will benefit the people that keep the state's essential services like schools, prisons, and national parks up and running," she said in a statement.

"The people of NSW deserve world class public services."

Professions covered by the salary increase include prison officers, park rangers, school support staff, child protection workers, Rural Fire Service employees, State Emergency Service staff, and Service NSW workers.