Nurses and midwives receive fast-tracked payments

• One-off cost of living payment delivered to public sector nurses and midwives today
• More than 18,500 nurses and midwives receive fast-tracked payment of up to $3,000
• Wage increases ranging from 3 per cent to 4.5 per cent with back payment to come
• Recognises valuable work of public sector nurses and midwives

Public sector nurses and midwives have today received the cost of living payment, as part of the State Government’s wages policy and decision to fast-track wage increases and deliver improved conditions.

The $3,000 one-off cost of living payment (on a pro-rata basis for part-time and casual employees) has been paid to more than 18,500 nurses and midwives, with wage increases ranging from 3 per cent to 4.5 per cent and wages increases backdated to 12 October 2022 to come, in addition to a 0.5 per cent per annum increase in superannuation for two years.

The McGowan Government last month moved to grant workers the increase in pay – in accordance with the State Wages Policy – while negotiations to resolve the industrial agreement continue.

Work is also underway on the delivery of historic reforms to deliver nurse and midwife-to-patient ratios, after extensive consultation with the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF).

The pay increase is in line with the State Wages Policy, which has been accepted by 112,000 other public sector employees and equates to three quarters of the sector.

The State Government remains committed to industrial agreement negotiations with the assistance of the WA Industrial Relations Commission. The administrative pay rise will form part of the final agreement to the nursing union.