‘Wage justice': Historic deal secures big pay rise for 50,000 health workers
The NSW government and the Health Services Union NSW (HSU NSW) have finalised the landmark two-year salary agreement delivering significant pay rises and better conditions for more than 50,000 public health workers across the state.
The deal provides an 8.5 per cent pay increase over two years, exceeding the government's 3 per cent wage policy.
Workers will receive a 4 per cent pay rise in the first year, followed by a further 4 per cent increase plus an additional 0.5 per cent superannuation contribution in the second year.
It covers a wide range of NSW Health staff including allied health workers, hospital cleaners, scientists, security officers, patient transport officers, pharmacy assistants, linen workers, and wardspeople.
HSU NSW secretary Gerard Hayes said the agreement was a 'big stride towards wage justice' for those who kept hospitals clean, safe, and patient-focused.
'This historic agreement recognises the indispensable work of pharmacy assistants, security officers, linen workers, cleaners and wardspeople,' Mr Hayes said.
'These workers are often overlooked, yet without them, our hospitals would collapse.
'Over the four years to June 2027, a hospital assistant will see their pay jump by more than $10,000, from around $52,000 to over $62,000.
'A wardsperson's annual salary will be $10,400 higher by 2026-27, while security officers will pocket an additional $10,500 per year. That's real money that makes a real difference to working families.'
The agreement also supports allied health professionals such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers, dietitians, and speech pathologists through a formal work value case process with the Industrial Relations Commission.
Mr Hayes said these workers had increasingly taken on more complex responsibilities, honed new skills, and broadened their scope of practice, yet their compensation had not kept pace.
'The work value case provisions give them the platform they deserve to have their true worth recognised and compensated,' Mr Hayes said.
Additional workplace benefits include earlier payment of higher-grade duties after three days instead of five, rest periods between rostered shifts increased to 10 hours from eight hours, and a requirement for four weeks' notice for roster changes, up from the previous two weeks.
The agreement also builds on HSU NSW's successful campaign for full salary packaging benefits, providing thousands of dollars in additional value to typical hospital workers.
Mr Hayes said the deal provided members with certainty and security while sustaining their drive for fairer pay.
'It shows what can be achieved when workers stand together and when government recognises the essential contribution of healthcare workers,' Mr Hayes said.
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the offer was a major step in repairing the state's healthcare system.
'This offer to increase wages and deliver benefits to more than 50,000 health workers across NSW is a major next step in repairing our state's healthcare,' Mr Mookhey said.
'These allied health workers, hospital cleaners, scientists, security officers, patient transport officers and others play a crucial role in giving the people of NSW the care they expect.'
Health Minister Ryan Park said they were 'rebuilding a supported and capable workforce'.
'We abolished the wages cap and established a new bargaining framework,' Mr Park said.
'We are working to fix recruitment and retention.
'More health staff, lower wait times, better health outcomes – it's as simple as that.'
Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said the multi-year agreement was the first of its kind in more than a decade for these essential workers.
'(It) represents a significant step forward in recognising their vital contribution and ensuring fairer pay and conditions into the future,' Ms Cotsis said.
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