More than 50,000 employees to also receive longer rest periods under new agreement
More than 50,000 health workers in New South Wales will receive an 8.5% pay rise over two years under a new agreement between the state government and the Health Services Union.
The NSW government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the union on Tuesday that will deliver the pay rise to allied health workers, hospital cleaners, scientists, security officers, and patient transport officers.
Under the MoU, health workers will receive a four per cent pay rise and a 0.5% boost to superannuation, both backdated to July 1.
In addition, they are slated to receive a further four per cent pay rise effective July 1, 2026, as part of the agreement.
These workers will also receive expanded benefits, including:
- Payment of higher-grade duties beginning after three days or more instead of five days
- Increased rest periods of 10 hours between rostered shifts, up from the current eight hours
- The requirement for four weeks' notice of roster changes, up from the current two weeks.
"Delivering increased wages and benefits to more than 50,000 health workers is a major next step in repairing our state's healthcare," said NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey in a statement.
According to the state government, the changes will help employers recruit and retain professional and general staff in regional communities.
"We are proud to engage productively with the Health Services Union, providing a clear pathway to deliver significant reform to NSW Health Awards that ensure our essential health workers receive fairer pay and conditions into the future," said NSW Health Minister Ryan Park in a statement.
Gerard Hayes, Health Services Union Secretary, said the MoU is a critical step in recognising the value of public health workers in NSW.
"Our allied health workers have been held back by the same award for two decades, but their skills and roles in the state's health care system have evolved greatly," Hayes said in a statement.
"They are critical to the health of our state, and I commend the Ministry of Health for working with us to ensure our workers' true value is recognised."
