Workers from physios to OTs and radiographers will receive a pay rise above inflation. Photo: South Australian Budget.
An agreement between the South Australian Government and public sector allied health workers has been approved by the state’s Employment Tribunal and is in effect.
The agreement, set over four years, provides yearly pay rises and improved conditions for workers in the sector. The increase in wages is ahead of inflation, with a total rise of 13.5 per cent over the agreement’s life term.
Under the accord, other conditions have been added, such as professional development allowances, regional incentive payments, a new allowance for mental health, paid parental leave and an extra week of annual leave for those rostered to work over seven days.
This represents the first time that allied health employees have struck their own enterprise agreement in the state, more in line with the system used in other areas of the Commonwealth.
“I am pleased to see this fair deal will deliver a real wage rise for our allied health workers, who do such important work in the community,” Attorney-General Kyam Maher said.
“The more than 8000 workers, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists and psychologists, will for the very first time be represented in their own enterprise agreement – which brings them in line with other jurisdictions.”
The Allied Health Professionals, Allied Health Assistants and Psychologists Enterprise Agreement benefits public sector health workers including occupational therapists, psychologists, physiotherapists, radiographers, medical imaging specialists, radiation therapists, podiatrists and social workers.
More than 80 per cent of employees who took part in the ballot last month approved the agreement after months of negotiations between the State Labor Government and workers’ representatives, including the Health Services Union.
“This is a fair deal for South Australia’s allied health professionals and assistants,” Health Services Union SA/NT branch secretary Billy Elrick said.
“We’re grateful to have been able to negotiate this agreement with the State Government, and to have done so in good faith.”
Following approval by the South Australian Employment Tribunal, the new agreement is in effect. Public sector allied health workers can now look forward to a real wage increase, backdated to May.
Also in the sector, the government has recruited 385 allied health workers above attrition since coming to power.
