The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) has rebuked the NSW government for leaving public sector nurses and midwives’ pay sitting behind other states, but welcomed efforts to improve performance and wellbeing across the sector.
Outlining the 2025-26 state budget, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey announced $34 billion in health funding and $3.3 billion in capital investment however, there were no extra funds to expand the rollout of Safe Staffing ratios, or a much needed wage rise for frontline health staff.
NSWNMA General Secretary, Shaye Candish, said the Treasurer’s third budget was a missed opportunity to tackle the pay disparity with other states and territories.
“The Queensland and Victorian governments are investing in nurses and midwives’ wages to help grow their frontline health workforce, yet we are not seeing this long term planning in NSW,” said Ms Candish.
“We welcome the additional money that’s been allocated for infrastructure upgrades and hospital redevelopments such as Bankstown and Rouse Hill, but unless the NSW government is prepared to direct serious funding towards public sector nurses and midwives’ wages, we will remain behind.
“The Special Commission of Inquiry acknowledged nurses and midwives are struggling, and that the state’s public health system is stretched and underfunded, but rather than act with urgency the government has chosen to leave it for the industrial umpire to decide an outcome.
“Until the government invests in our workforce, more nurses and midwives will continue to flee NSW for better pay and conditions to the north and south.”
NSWNMA Assistant General Secretary, Michael Whaites, said the $83 million dedicated towards maternity care, including 53 additional midwives for regional areas, could help to improve access to continuity of care models but reiterated better pay and conditions would attract and retain staff.
“Creating additional midwifery positions is important, but we know sites like Tamworth struggle to recruit to existing positions. Unless we close the pay gaps for our nurses and midwives, they’ll struggle to fill the positions,” added Mr Whaites.
“Despite acknowledging the pressures families are under, the Treasurer has focused on private sector investment and capital works over improving the lives of nurses and midwives.
“It’s important to address housing supply and affordability and to ensure there’s new developments for population and productivity growth, but the government also needs to significantly lift its investment in its biggest public sector workforce.
“Money that’s been allocated to better support injured workers is welcome, but we remain opposed the government’s cruel proposal to stop workers compensation claims for psychological injuries.”
The NSWNMA confirmed it would continue to advocate on behalf of members for better pay and conditions across the state’s public health system.
