NSW Industrial Relations Commission Awards Pay Increases for Nurses and Midwives

The New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission has determined pay increases for nurses and midwives in the state, to be implemented over three years. The decision follows a dispute between the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association (NSWNMA) and the state government that was brought before the commission last year after negotiations stalled.

The commission cited historical undervaluation of feminized industries and wages not keeping pace with inflation as factors in its decision.

Commission Decision and Pay Rates

The Industrial Relations Commission awarded the following pay increases, described in some reports as a one-off deal:

• Registered nurses and midwives: 16% increase over three years.
• Enrolled nurses: 18% increase over three years.
• Assistants in nursing and midwifery: 28% increase over three years.

Commission's Findings and Rationale

In a summary of its reasons, the commission made several key findings:

Historical Undervaluation: The commission stated that "historically, the work value of feminised industries such as nursing has been undervalued." It identified a key reason as the under-recognition of caring or interpersonal skills, which it said were historically not expressly valued because women were considered to have a natural capacity to perform them.

Wages and Cost of Living: The commission found that wages for nurses and midwives had not kept pace with inflation and increases in the cost of living in recent years.

Financial Impact: The commission determined that the pay increases would require additional funding from the NSW government. It estimated that each 1% increase in pay would require approximately $74.5 million in annual government funding. It noted these costs would reduce the government's capacity to fund other areas, such as infrastructure and services, but stated these factors were "relevant to the outcome but not barriers to appropriate increases."

Reaction to the Decision

General Secretary Michael Whaites described the decision as "historic" but stated it "didn't go far enough" for registered nurses and midwives. He said the outcome for enrolled nurses and assistants was "a great outcome" that recognized the historical undervaluation of their work.

Whaites expressed concern that the decision's framing implied "women's work has to remain undervalued because of the economy." He stated the union would continue campaigning for registered nurses and midwives.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the government welcomed the decision. He described nurses and midwives as "the beating heart of our health workforce" and characterized the outcome as fair following a hard-fought dispute.