Nearly 6000 public hospital doctors have doubled down on their demand for fair pay and safe conditions, with 75% voting against the state’s latest deal.
NSW hospital doctors have doubled down on their overwhelming rejection of the state government’s latest pay offer.
Three out of four members (75% of the total number who voted) of the Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation vetoed the deal in a recent ballot run between 25 August and 4 September.
Nearly 6000 doctors across public hospitals, from doctors-in-training to senior staff specialists, participated in the two-week vote.
It is understood the offer, which mirrors a package previously rejected in March, included a 3% interim pay increase from 1 July 2024, backdated to the first full pay period after that date, and a further 3% interim increase from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2025.
It was conditional on the ASMOF NSW refraining from industrial action while matters remain before the Industrial Relations Commission.
The government reportedly stressed the offer was made “without prejudice”, preserving ASMOF’s right to pursue the full wage claim through arbitration.
NSW health minister Ryan Park told HSD in a statement today the government respected the doctors’ vote.
“While we cannot make up for 12 years of wage suppression by the former Liberal-National Government in a single pay agreement, we have worked to deliver health workers the largest pay increase in over a decade, including NSW Health doctors,” he said.
“We respect the vote of the doctors in relation to our offer of an interim pay rise.
“We will continue to work constructively with ASMOF and the Industrial Relations Commission towards a resolution.”
ASMOF NSW President Dr Nicholas Spooner said the outcome sent a clear signal to government.
“The NSW government’s pay offer was comprehensively rejected by the state’s doctors because they understand that this offer goes nowhere near addressing the overwhelming crisis in the NSW Health system,” he said.
“The reality is, doctors are already underpaid compared to colleagues interstate, they are exhausted from chronic understaffing, and they are working in unsafe conditions.
“Today, our members have again sent a clear message. Enough is enough.”
Dr Spooner said the offer did nothing to close the pay gap of up to 30% compared with doctors interstate, nor did it address unsustainable fatigue, burnout, or patient safety concerns. He said doctors were also alarmed by the attempt to restrict their right to take industrial action indefinitely.
“Hospitals will remain understaffed, doctors will continue to face unsustainable levels of fatigue and burnout, and patient safety will continue to be put at risk,” he said.
“While the NSW government has delivered better pay and conditions to other workforces, doctors have been left behind.
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“Further, this offer also attempted to remove doctors’ right to take industrial action indefinitely, stripping them of one of their most effective tools to secure fair and safe conditions.”
ASMOF confirmed it would now meet with members and delegates to decide on the next phase of action, while also continuing its arbitration case in the Industrial Relations Commission.
Dr Spooner said future action could include exposing unpaid overtime, enforcing entitlements, mobilising public support, and directly pressuring MPs.
“Doctors will not accept a deal that undervalues their work and puts patients at risk. This was about protecting safe working conditions, preventing burnout, and safeguarding the future of public healthcare in NSW,” he said.
“Unless the government returns to the table with a serious offer that addresses pay, fatigue, understaffing, and patient safety, this dispute will continue and escalate.”
He said doctors had lost confidence in the government’s ability to put public health and the safety of the people of NSW ahead of politics.
“We are ready to turn frustration into meaningful action, exposing unpaid overtime, enforcing entitlements, mobilising public pressure, and holding MPs accountable when they refuse to listen,” said Dr Spooner.
“We call on the NSW government to put patients first by addressing the serious issues with NSW public hospital doctors’ pay and working conditions.”