The NSW Government has made an offer in response to the NSW Nurses and Midwives request for a historic increase to night shift penalties, as well as improvements to the working conditions of nurses and midwives.
The NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association will take the proposal to their 80th Annual Conference this week, followed by a vote on the offer from their members.
The offer would see night shift penalties increased to 20 per cent, on par with what some of the highest paid nurses in Australia receive. Nurses and midwives have been campaigning for decades, across multiple governments, to increase this loading in NSW.
Nurses and midwives will also see improvements to their working conditions and work-life balance, including:
- Two consecutive days off
- No night shifts before annual leave unless requested
- No changes on published roster without consultation
Nurses and midwives would receive a 3.5 per cent interim pay increase (including the recent 0.5% increase to super) back paid to July 1 2025, while the Industrial Relations Commission considers the remainder of their special case for gender equity and other improvements to salaries.
The NSW Minns Government acknowledges concerns about gendered undervaluation of work and was proud to have legislated in May to improve the gender equity objectives under the Industrial Relations Act, which the Industrial Relations Commission will be required to consider.
Nurses and midwives deserve a way for their wages to be set independently, after 12 years of the Liberal-National's unfair wages cap.
While the IRC determines this, the Minns Government still wants to recognise nurses and midwives with movement in pay and conditions now.
This improvement to night shift loadings and interim pay rise follows an 8 per cent increase to pay (including a 1% increase to super) for nurses over the first two years of the Minns Labor Government.
The interim offer forms part of the NSW Government's comprehensive plan to deliver the long-term repair of healthcare across NSW.
Quotes attributable to Treasurer Daniel Mookhey:
"The offer on night shift penalties and improvements to working conditions is an important step towards the long-term repair of healthcare across NSW.
"We now look forward to the independent umpire delivering a wages agreement for nurses and midwives, after 12 years of the Coalition's unfair wages cap."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
"After 12 years of neglect and a lack of investment in our health system, the NSW Government is rebuilding essentials service by investing in the workers that deliver them.
"As a show of good faith, we are offering another interim pay increase of 3 per cent and boosting the night shift penalty rate for our hard-working nurses and midwives across NSW.
"We look forward to having the remaining wage claims being resolved through the Industrial Relations Commission process."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis:
"This offer is long overdue recognition for nurses and midwives who have been campaigning for a long time. We are proud to support those who care for our communities day and night.
"The Minns Labor Government continues the work of rebuilding the state's essential services and reforming the industrial relations system.
"That work began with the scrapping of the Coalition's wages cap which was in place for 12 years, introducing a fairer, modern bargaining framework, setting up an Industrial court and amending the Industrial Relations Act to include a new Object to achieve gender equality in the workplace
"Our offer to a historic increase in night shift penalties and improved working conditions for nurses and midwives reflects our commitment to valuing frontline workers."
