Key Facts:
- Over 98% of AMPA members voted to begin industrial action following failed enterprise agreement negotiations and a 5% real wage decrease
- AMPA represents senior paramedics, managers, and support staff across ambulance services, covering approximately 900 Ambulance Victoria staff
- Stage 1 industrial action begins at 7:00am, affecting recruitment, training, procurement, rostering, and statutory reporting
- The enterprise agreement expired on 24 October 2025, with members citing stalled negotiations and job cuts as key concerns
- Actions aim to highlight essential behind-the-scenes work while maintaining safe patient care
The Ambulance Managers and Professionals Association (AMPA), a division of Professionals Australia, will commence the first stage of protected industrial action at 7:00am, following protracted delays in enterprise agreement negotiations and inability to reach a pay deal.
AMPA represents a broad and critical cross-section of the ambulance workforce — from the most senior operational and clinical paramedic leaders responsible for statewide service coordination and high-risk decision-making, through to the lowest-paid administrative and support staff who keep ambulance services functioning behind the scenes.
Last week more than 94% of eligible members participated in the protected action ballot, with an extraordinary 98.9% voting in favour of industrial action. There are approximately 900 Ambulance Victoria staff who are covered by the enterprise agreement, which expired on October 24th 2025.
AMPA Lead Pierce Tyson said members have been left with no choice but to take protected industrial action after months of stalled negotiations, job cuts by stealth and a 5% real wage decrease over the last four years.
"Our members carry the weight of an under-resourced system every day. Senior paramedic managers, educators, fleet maintenance, rostering, IT & payroll — they all hold this system together. When even these dedicated professionals can no longer sustain the pressure, it is clear something must change," Mr Tyson said.
Stage 1 Industrial Actions
Starting 7:00am today, Stage 1 actions will include disruptions to:
- Recruitment activities
- Training and development
- Tendering and procurement functions
- Rostering and scheduling operations
- Statutory and mandated reporting requirements
These actions are designed to highlight the essential but often invisible labour carried out by AMPA members, and the untenable strain currently placed upon them.
"While we remain committed to ensuring safe patient care continues, we need to recognise years of real wage cuts and understaffing. All Ambulance Workers deserve to have a life outside saving lives," Mr Tyson said.
