The WA Government has welcomed the decision of the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) to accept terms for a replacement industrial agreement, which is set to benefit 23,000 nurses and midwives across the public sector.
Under the new terms, nurses and midwives will receive a wage increase of 5% in the first year, followed by 4% in 2025 and 3.5% in 2026.
The offer also provides several new and improved conditions of employment – most notably, commitments regarding implementation of nurse/midwife to patient ratios, an annual allowance recognising the important work performed by Staff Development Nurses, and improvements to professional development leave.
“I congratulate the Australian Nursing Federation on achieving this outcome for their members at a time of profound change for the union,” said Industrial Relations Minister, Simone McGurk.
“This agreement is a clear example of how we are applying the principle-based wages policy to tailor outcomes for each work group and deliver meaningful improvements.
“We believe our nurses are the best in the country and we have always been committed to reaching a deal that reflects their value and hard work.”
The WA Government has now settled industrial agreements covering more than 120,000 public sector workers under the Public Sector Wages Policy Statement 2023 – including WA teachers, doctors, police, TAFE lecturers, education assistants, transit officers, hospital support workers and public servants.
“The Cook Government is pleased to make WA nurses and midwives among the best paid in the country,” said Health Minister, Amber-Jade Sanderson.
“I’d like to thank the ANF for working constructively with us to deliver a great outcome for their members.
“We continue to roll out nurse and midwife-to-patient ratios in our hospitals, in collaboration with the ANF, and this new agreement also delivers other measures to improve conditions, such as State Development allowances.”
