South Australia's ambulance workforce has decisively voted to accept a new enterprise agreement, bringing to a close a period of industrial uncertainty and securing substantial pay rises for frontline paramedics and support staff.
Overwhelming Support for the New Agreement
The result of the ballot was announced on Wednesday, revealing strong support among the members of the Australian Workers' Union (AWU) and the United Workers Union (UWU). The unions collectively represent the vast majority of the state's ambulance service employees. The new deal, which was negotiated between union officials and the state government, will now be formally lodged with the Fair Work Commission for approval.
This agreement follows a previous offer that was resoundingly rejected by union members earlier in the year. That rejection signalled deep dissatisfaction with the initial terms and led to renewed negotiations. The revised package presented to members addressed key concerns, leading to the successful vote.
Key Details of the Pay and Conditions Package
The core of the new enterprise agreement is a significant boost to remuneration. Workers will receive a pay increase of 12.75% over three years. This is structured with an initial 4.75% rise upon the agreement taking effect, followed by subsequent increases of 4% and then 3.75%.
Beyond the base wage increase, the deal includes several important enhancements to conditions and allowances:
- A substantial 30% increase in the on-call allowance, recognising the disruption and readiness required of staff during these periods.
- An uplift in the casual loading rate from 23% to 25%, improving pay for casual employees.
- Introduction of a new higher duties allowance for Team Manager roles, providing better compensation for those undertaking additional responsibilities.
- Improved provisions for family and domestic violence leave, offering greater support to affected staff.
The agreement will be backdated to July 2024, meaning workers will receive a lump-sum payment covering the period from that date until the agreement is officially implemented.
Resolution and Relief for the Health Sector
The acceptance of this deal marks a critical moment of stability for the South Australian Ambulance Service (SAAS). A protracted industrial dispute had the potential to impact service morale and retention. Union leaders have hailed the outcome as a win for their members, acknowledging that the improved offer finally met their core demands for fair recognition of their vital, life-saving work.
From the government's perspective, securing the agreement removes a significant item of industrial tension from the public health agenda. It allows the focus to return fully to service delivery and addressing other systemic challenges within the healthcare system. The deal represents a major investment in the state's emergency medical workforce, aimed at both rewarding current staff and making the profession more attractive to future recruits.
The formalisation of the agreement by the Fair Work Commission is considered the final procedural step, with all parties now moving forward to implement the new terms. This outcome ensures that South Australia's ambulance crews can continue their essential work with the assurance of improved pay and conditions secured for the coming years.
