The access period for our pay deal has started, and I’ve had a lot of questions come through. I thought I would touch on a few of the most common ones here.
Why doesn’t the agreement mention backpay?
You will see on the wage rate tables (Page 183 for Support Staff) and (Page 246 for Admin) that the first wage increase is dated 16 December 2025.
Because this date is in the past, that is when the increase takes effect, and that is what triggers backpay.
Why does the list of changes in the EBA say 3%, when we won more?
The base increase the Government offered was 3%. We won increases on top of that.
The way the Government explains these additional increases to Treasury is by calling them “allowances.” You will see these included as the Cost of Living Allowance and the Retention and Productivity Allowance.
These work exactly the same way as the 3% base increase. They apply permanently, they compound, they flow on to penalties and other allowances, and they will form part of the base we bargain from next time around.
It is essentially a Government accounting trick, but it does not change the fact that we won an average annual increase of around 5%.
What do I do if I haven’t gotten an email?
First, check both your personal and work email, including junk/spam folders.
If you still can’t find it, send HR an email asking for the link to be resent, and provide the email address you would like them to use.
How can I vote if I don’t have an email?
If any of your co-workers don’t have an email but would like to vote, please shoot me an email with their name and best contact number.
I will organise for them to be able to vote over the phone with the ballot company.
When does the real vote open?
The vote will open at 9AM next Wednesday, 27-May.
It will run until Sunday evening.
We need 51% of people who vote to vote YES to secure our pay rises and cash bonus.
What are some of the other positive changes, outside of the wages outcome?
As you can see in the EBA, there are a number of big outcomes entirely outside of the significant wage outcome we won.
Here is a summary of some of the top items:
Workload Management Protections
For the first time, we now have enforceable workload management provisions in the Agreement.
It is a three step process, that will put power in the hands of workers.
- Binding principles
The Agreement now states that work must be allocated safely and reasonably, and that employers are responsible for ensuring staffing levels allow workers to complete their duties, take breaks, and access leave entitlements.
- Power to demand a workload review
Workers can now formally demand a workload review where workloads are unsafe or unreasonable. Management is required to respond, meet within 21 days, and explain how they intend to address the issue. This also creates a formal paper trail and evidence base we can use moving forward.
- Power to escalate disputes
If the issue cannot be resolved locally, it can now be escalated through formal dispute processes, including ultimately to the Fair Work Commission for an independent determination.
This gives us entirely new powers to push back on unsafe workloads, force employers to engage seriously with staffing concerns, and build the evidence base for future campaigns and disputes.
PSA Wage Uplift
PSA Grade 2 workers will receive an additional pay uplift of around 3.5% on top of general wage increases, delivering an overall increase of around 16% over the next two years.
Annual Leave Improvements
Employers must now respond to leave requests within 10 business days, provide written reasons if refusing leave, and consult on alternative dates. Stronger protections also now exist around excessive leave directions.
Personal Leave Without Evidence
The number of single-day absences that can be taken without a medical certificate has increased from 3 days per year to 5 days per year.
Reproductive Health Leave
A new industry-leading entitlement of up to 5 days paid reproductive health leave per year has been introduced, covering conditions such as endometriosis, menopause, fertility treatment, pregnancy-related conditions, and more. This is on-top of your existing personal leave entitlement.
Breaks and Missed Meal Breaks
There are now clear protections and escalation pathways where workers are regularly missing breaks. Missed meal breaks must now be paid at 150%, and employers are required to actively address ongoing break issues.
One Technician Per Theatre
The Government has committed to fully model the costs and staffing requirements for a minimum of one theatre technician per theatre across the public health system. This is a major step toward establishing enforceable minimum staffing levels and building the evidence base for future bargaining claims.
Safe Security Staffing
The Government has also committed to formally model minimum staffing levels for Security Officers, including minimum staffing in Emergency Departments. This creates a pathway toward safer staffing levels and stronger protections for workers dealing with violence and aggression at work.
Admin Classification Review
A formal review of Admin classifications will now occur over the life of the Agreement, led by an independent chair. This review will assess whether current classifications properly reflect the work Admin staff actually perform, and support clear progression pathways.
Future Workload Improvements
In addition to the new enforceable workload protections already won, there is now a formal pathway to continue strengthening workload provisions over the life of the Agreement. The new review processes and evidence gathering mechanisms will help build future claims for stronger staffing protections and further workload limits in the next round of bargaining.
A Final Word
We are finishing our regional visits in Northern Vic tomorrow, after a great four days out in the country.
There is a lot of work to do, to build power and crack down on unsafe and unfair management practices – this EBA will give us new tools to get the job done.
Keeping spending through questions that you and your team have throughout access period, and let’s get ready for a massive vote turnout starting next Wednesday.