Public hospital psychiatrists to receive 20% pay rise after winning dispute with NSW Health

"The case comes after 200 psychiatrists threatened to resign in January, saying it was not about the money but being unable to continue working in a system causing them moral injury, knowing they were providing substandard care to their patients when one in three permanent psychiatrists positions were vacant. The doctors' union, the Australian Salaried Medical Officers' Federation (Asmof), representing the psychiatrists against NSW Health, argued the special levy was necessary to avoid the collapse of psychiatric care in the state."

"On Friday, before a full audience of psychiatrists nervously awaiting the outcome, Justice David Chin announced that a special case had been made out justifying the payment of a temporary allowance to attract and retain psychiatrists. Chin acknowledged the shortage of psychiatry staff specialists was causing a deterioration of mental health care in the public system and the working conditions of psychiatrists, and that their comparative low pay to other states was contributing to the shortage."

"Chin said the psychiatrists would receive a combined interim uplift of 20% for period of 12 months. He said this was a discrete stop-gap measure applicable to the one group of specialist doctors, noting restraint is warranted given the potential for overlap with the pending arbitration for a salary increase for all public doctors across the state. He said the psychiatrist's increase included the 10% abnormal duties allowance they have been paid since 3 February,"

Justice David Chin ordered a temporary 20% combined pay uplift for New South Wales psychiatrists for 12 months to attract and retain staff. Around 200 psychiatrists had threatened resignation, citing moral injury and substandard patient care amid vacancies of one in three permanent posts. The Australian Salaried Medical Officers' Federation argued a special levy was required to prevent collapse of psychiatric services. Chin found shortages were degrading public mental health care and working conditions and noted comparatively low pay contributed to the workforce shortfall. The uplift includes a 10% abnormal duties allowance paid since 3 February and will be absorbed into any future salary determinations. Other claims were not granted.

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