Nurses and midwives across NSW have begun receiving backpay payments, following a landmark pay increase ruling last month.
The Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) ruling in April delivered nurses and midwives an historic pay rise of between 16 and 28% over a period of three years.
The backdated payments have commenced and will be backdated to 1 July 2025. The payments are being delivered progressively in upcoming pay cycles and are expected to be completed by 1 June.
Under the Public Health System Nurses’ and Midwives’ (State) Award 2025; and the Crown Employees Nurses’ (State) Award 2025:
- Registered nurses and midwives will receive a 16% pay increase, with 10% awarded in the first year, and 3% in each of the two years following;
- Enrolled nurses will receive an 18% pay increase, with 12% awarded in the first year, and 3% in each of the two years following;
- Assistants in nursing will receive a 28% pay increase, with 22% awarded in the first year, and 3% in each of the two years following.
Of first year payments, nurses and midwives have already received a 3% pay rise in an interim agreement last year, which also included an increase to night shift penalties and better conditions for work-life balance.
“Nurses and midwives are the largest workforce group in NSW Health, and this historic outcome recognises the extraordinary work they do every single day,” said Health Minister, Ryan Park.
“This means thousands of hardworking NSW nurses and midwives will soon see well-deserved backpay in their pay packets.
“Not only are we delivering a generational pay increase, but we are also working closely with the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association to rollout safe staffing ratios for nurses and midwives in hospitals across the state.
“This is in stark contrast to the former Coalition government, who refused to implement safe staffing ratios and held nurses and midwives wages back for a decade with their destructive wages cap,” he said.
