Tasmanian nurses and midwives will be paid in the same league as their mainland counterparts, after striking a deal with the state government but while welcomed by unions, one advocate says it won’t be “a silver bullet” to the sector’s problems.
The Tasmanian branch of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) and the Health and Community Service Union (HACSU) overwhelmingly supported a government offer, with 80 per cent of members voting in favour, after nearly a year of negotiations.
The deal contains an average pay increase of between 14 and 15 per cent over three years, including a 3.5 per cent rise starting in December this year, a $1,500 base salary raise and a $1,000 cost-of-living payment.
It also includes changes to entitlements and conditions, such as extended Sunday night penalty rates, increased allowances for staff who undertake a PhD, and a commitment to change the staff ratio model, among other provisions.
The agreement was backdated to July 1 this year and will expire on June 30, 2026.
ANMF Tasmanian branch secretary Emily Shepherd said the agreement was “not a silver bullet” but would help address staff vacancies — estimated to be anywhere between 500 and 1,000 currently.
HACSU assistant state secretary Lucas Digney welcomed the move, saying it would help address Tasmania’s ongoing “recruitment and retention crisis”.
He also said the pay increase would help nurses feel more valued, but added they would continue to experience unmanageable workloads.
Last year, the Victorian government announced it would pay for university fees for 10,000 nursing and midwifery places, leaving Tasmanian unions fearing it would entice and retain local students and amplify critical shortages.
Mr Digney said unless Tasmania offered free education for nurses and midwives, the state was unlikely to completely fix its workforce shortage.
“Importantly, the new agreement will also provide nurses and midwives with a range of improved standard leave and conditions, which are consistent with other public sector agreements.”
(ABC)
