Public hospital doctors accept new pay deal headlined by 11.5 per cent pay rise, overhaul of overtime system

Public hospital clinicians have greenlit a new pay deal that will bolster conditions for junior doctors, including capping shifts at a maximum of 14 hours. The offer, accepted by 86 per cent of Australian Medical Association WA members, is headlined by an 11.5 per cent pay increase over three years — a 4.75 per cent rise in September 2024, 3.75 per cent in September 2025 and 3 per cent in September 2026. It comes after the AMA rejected WA Health’s first offer of a 7.75 per cent salary hike over two years. AMA WA president Michael Page said the second offer presented to members would deliver “substantial pay increases following a period of government wages policy-induced stagnation”. “It also delivers some excellent improvements to other employment entitlements and conditions, such as professional development leave, shift lengths, payment of overtime and financial support for rising training costs for doctors in training,” he said. Overtime – previously paid only once a doctor exceeded 40 hours for the week – will instead be accrued on a shift-by-shift basis whenever a clinician works more than 10 hours. Shifts will be capped at 14 hours and doctors will be guaranteed at least 24 hours off after a night shift. Junior doctors will receive a $4000 professional development allowance annually – including when on parental leave – while all clinicians will be eligible to accrue up to nine weeks of leave (previously six) that can be used to further their training. Long-service leave will become accessible on a pro-rata basis after seven years and doctors working shortened public holiday shifts will be paid for a full shift. Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the agreement represented a big win for junior doctors. “The Australian Medical Association WA and the Cook Government share a commitment to supporting our up-and-coming medical workforce and I thank them for working with us constructively throughout this process,” she said. “We value all our hardworking public sector doctors, and this agreement delivers not only a pay boost, but significant improvements to working conditions.” More than 5,000 WA hospital support workers also accepted a wage increase of $65 per week over the next three years. The offer to public hospital clinicians falls short of the 12 per cent over two years that is being demanded by an alliance of other public sector unions including the Health Services Union WA, which represents allied health workers, ward clerks and workers in disability and aged care. Last week, the HSUWA rejected a wage offer of 12 per cent over three years claiming the pay increase would not keep ahead of inflation and the priority workforce reforms needed to support and retain skilled public health workers. The State Government said it would continue to engage with unions in good faith to settle negotiations for other public sector workers.