We deserve better: Healthscope campaign
Updates on Enterprise Agreement negotiations
30 October 2025
Nurses and midwives have voted ‘Yes’ on their new Enterprise Agreement at Healthscope.
More than 80% of those eligible to vote participated, with more than 90% voting ‘Yes’ to the new Agreement.
Members voted ‘Yes’ to lock in pay increases, backpay and protect annual leave.
Healthscope has confirmed that back payments will be made by no later than Thursday 20 November with payslips detailing the back pay available to employees that evening. Normal bank processing times will apply.
The ‘Yes’ vote locks in:
✅ 16% wage increase to pay and allowances over 4 years.
✅ Protection of your back pay – 5.5% from 1 July 2024 and 4.5% from 1 July 2025.
✅ Protection of existing entitlements including annual leave, payment of overtime for part-time employees, and others.
✅ Improved conditions, including improved parental leave, improved family and domestic violence leave, paid lactation breaks, and improved rights for ANMF NSW branch officials.
✅ No cuts.
The Enterprise Agreement will now go to the Fair Work Commission for approval. The ANMF NSW Branch office will work with Healthscope to get the Agreement approved as soon as possible.
It was union pressure that brought Healthscope back to the bargaining table – specifically, members’ decision to involve the Fair Work Commission through the Intractable Bargaining Declaration (IBD) process. Now that we have an agreement, the IBD process will end.
Members may have heard from Healthscope that there have been other votes on variations to enterprise agreements across the country to include the PurposeCo salary packaging clause in those agreements. The ANMF NSW Branch will seek an update from the receivers and from Healthscope management on these matters.
Thank a union member for your back pay
Back pay will be released by no later than Thursday 20 November.
For now, celebrate what members have achieved together as part of our powerful union. Encourage your colleagues to join in so we can keep winning on the issues that matter most.
Next steps: continuing to build strong branches
This campaign has taught us the importance of being organised and ready to take action. Members should continue to strengthen their local branches and enforce their rights in the new Agreement.
You can do this by:
- becoming a branch representative/steward for your ward/unit.
- regularly attending your local branch meetings.
- raising issues through your branch and taking them forward collectively.
- talking to your colleagues about joining the union.
Thank you again to all members for their commitment and action during these Enterprise Agreement negotiations.
Previous updates on the Enterprise Agreement
Voting on your EA gets underway from this Thursday, 23 October – starting at 11AM. You’ll have until 9AM next Thursday, 30 October to have your say.
Though it has been a period of uncertainty for all members working at Healthscope, you’ve shown significant courage in taking action to protect your rights and entitlements.
Click below to hear more from ANMF NSW Branch Secretary, Shaye Candish.
The ANMF NSW Branch recommends members vote YES to Healthscope’s latest offer.
Here are five reasons you should vote YES:
Be sure to check out our handy flyer for additional information.
Today, officials from your union met with Healthscope to discuss the possibility of reaching an agreement as an alternative to continuing our Intractable Bargaining Determination proceedings in the Fair Work Commission.
We are pleased to report that the meeting was very respectful and constructive, and that Healthscope undertook to consider a series of proposals from your union team. These proposals included an earlier date for the payment of back pay, and maintenance of existing annual leave provisions.
In member meetings on Monday, as well as recent organiser visits to your hospitals, we’ve talked about what your priorities are – it’s clear that your priorities are to secure your back pay and entitlements as soon as possible. We communicated that clearly to Healthscope today.
Healthscope have indicated that they will discuss our proposals and respond next week. We’ll keep members up-to-date with any further developments as they happen.
More on receivership
21 October 2025
This morning, Premier Chris Minns confirmed the state government and Healthscope have reached an in-principle agreement for the transition of Northern Beaches Hospital into public hands. This is a welcome development, and the premier has indicated this process should be complete in mid-2026.
Though the exact details of the operating model are still being worked through, this is a positive development for the future of Northern Beaches Hospital.
Once the transition process has ended, more than 400 beds should transition to the public system. Pleasingly, Health Minister Ryan Park has also confirmed all staff leave entitlements will be protected and transferred as part of this development.
1 September 2025
This morning the NSW government announced it has established a team from Northern Sydney Local Health District to work alongside staff at Northern Beaches Hospital (NBH). Together, the groups will examine the details regarding an operational transition of the facility, currently run by Healthscope.
We welcome this development and have been a vocal critic of this public-private partnership since its inception under former Liberal Premier Mike Baird.
At the time, the local community signalled its opposition to the encroaching privatisation of the public health system, and since then, independent findings have shown privatisation has failed to effectively deliver for the community*, and it is a model that has also fallen short in supporting the health workforce at NBH.
What does this mean for the future of NBH?
A formal transition agreement has not yet been reached, and these talks are expected to run for several weeks. What is clear is NBH will move away from its current public-private partnership model.
What happens if an agreement isn’t reached?
The NSW government has already passed legislation that grants it authority to intervene and force action on the future of NBH. This will be enacted as necessary to avoid any lengthy dispute.
How does this impact our Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) negotiations?
Last month we asked the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to step in and end Healthscope’s delay on your pay increases and back pay. The FWC endorsed our request – issuing an Intractable Bargaining Declaration, meaning the FWC will now decide on the outstanding matters. Your ANMF NSW Branch representatives continue to advocate for your interests.
We have been in discussions with the government around this transition for NBH, and will continue to keep members updated as the situation progresses.
*Reference: Audit Office of New South Wales
2 June 2025
A snapshot of the past week
Following confirmation of Healthscope being in receivership, your union has been advocating on your behalf to achieve the best possible outcome for you and your coworkers.
We’ve spoken with the state government and will continue to advocate on your behalf. We’ve also been in discussions around the potential impact on the public-private partnership at Northern Beaches Hospital.
Separately, we have also held talks with the federal health minister. Mark Butler has told Healthscope administrators they must do the right thing by the community, nurses, and midwives – and this is welcome support.
We will continue to hold regular meetings with the federal health minister during this process. We’re also coordinating our efforts on behalf of nurses and midwives with other unions representing non-nursing/midwifery employees as part of an Australian Council of Trade Unions affiliates group, and this is central to our advocacy efforts.
Urgent briefings are underway
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation is meeting today with Healthscope Chief Executive, Tino La Spina, and we’ll have more to share on these talks soon.
We’re also seeking meetings with Healthscope’s receivers, and are working to attend the creditors’ meeting scheduled for this Thursday. We’ve written to the major Australian lenders and property owners involved in this situation and are seeking urgent meetings with these parties.
We’ll keep members updated as this process continues to develop.
