The State Government has proposed a significant pay rise for South Australia’s nurses and midwives, marking the largest increase in the past fifteen years. This new pay offer was presented to the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (ANMF) as part of ongoing enterprise agreement negotiations.
The offer suggests an 11.14 per cent pay rise over the next three years, compounded annually. The breakdown includes a 4 per cent increase from January 2026, followed by 3.5 per cent in January 2027, and 3.25 per cent in January 2028. For full-time nurses at the RN1 classification, who represent nearly half of the nursing and midwifery workforce in the state, this increment translates to a gross increase in wages ranging from $320 to $436 per fortnight by 2028.
The government’s fourth offer to the nurses’ union includes several other benefits and conditions aimed at improving the work environment and job satisfaction for nurses and midwives. These include a $3,000 service incentive for every three years of service completed in regional areas, with the first payment disbursed after eight years. They are also introducing a new allowance for each shift a nurse is required to wear lead aprons.
Further commitments from the government address enhancements in flexible work arrangements, particularly beneficial for those returning from parental leave, and support for career development. This includes steps towards a consistent reclassification process for Enrolled and Registered Nurses and Midwives across the state, and clarifying qualification allowances.
Negotiations are also set to continue, focusing on improving on-call and recall allowances and rates. The government has expressed a commitment to reviewing the inclusion of all babies as patients in safe staffing ratios under new legislation aimed at creating safer patient care environments.
This proposal comes after successful negotiations for new enterprise agreements with various public sector workers, including doctors, ambulance officers, firefighters, and allied health workers. These agreements are part of a broader government strategy aimed at enhancing conditions across different sectors.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, shared, “Every day across our public health system, nurses and midwives do an incredible job of looking after South Australians in need.
“We value their hard work and dedication and that’s why we’re putting forward a new pay offer that would deliver their largest wage rise in 15 years. We’ve also significantly boosted the workforce, recruiting more than 1,400 extra nurses above attrition since we were elected four years ago.”
Kyam Maher, Deputy Premier and Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, added, “The Government is committed to bargaining in good faith to reach a new enterprise agreement for public sector nurses and midwives that delivers wage rises and responsible budgetary management to ensure the ongoing delivery of vital public health services.”
Chris Picton, Minister for Health and Wellbeing, said, “Since being elected, we’ve also recruited more than 1,400 extra nurses above attrition to expand the workforce. Plus, we have legislated staffing ratios across South Australian public hospitals, in a major win for patients, nurses and midwives.”
This proposal represents a move to sustain and enhance the quality of healthcare services across South Australia. As negotiations continue, the government remains positive about reaching an agreement that mutually benefits all parties and strengthens the state’s public health system.
