The NSW Nurses and Midwives Association (NSWNMA) has voted to accept the NSW Government’s offer of a 3% interim wage increase and enhancements to working conditions.
The agreement provides an interim 3% pay increase for public sector nurses and midwives, paid retrospectively from 1 July 2025, plus 0.5% in superannuation.
Nurses and midwives will also see an increase to their Night Shift Penalty rate from 15 to 20%, effective from 1 July 2025, with this issue no longer part of future arbitration proceedings.
“This interim deal on pay, nightshift penalties and improvements to conditions is an important step towards the long-term repair of healthcare across NSW,” said Treasurer, Daniel Mookhey.
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.
The offer gives public sector nurses and midwives a pay rise now, while still allowing a pathway for the remaining matters to be determined by the independent Industrial Relations Commission.
“When we came to office, NSW was facing a health workforce crisis – our nurses, our paramedics, our hospital workers were leaving. We are turning things around,” said Minister for Health, Ryan Park.
“This vote is a major step to addressing the chronic shortage of nurses in our hospitals but there is more to do.
“We have an independent process underway to determine what we need to do to ensure NSW nurses have the pay and conditions needed, including to address the gender pay gap that exists.”
This improvement to night shift loadings and interim pay rise follows an 8% increase to pay (inclusive of a 1% increase to superannuation) for nurses over the first two years of the Minns Labor Government, he said.
“This agreement 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,” said Minister for Industrial Relations, Sophie Cotsis.
“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 agreement to a historic increase in night shift penalties and improved working conditions for nurses and midwives reflects our commitment to valuing frontline workers,” she said.
