Medical Forum
Pay bump for doctors on its way
A pay bump for doctors in WA’s public health system is on the way as the next phase of a three-year pay deal comes into play.
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Medical Forum
Doctors can expect to see a 3% pay rise in their bank accounts over the coming weeks as the final of three agreed upon increases is implemented.
Last year doctors received a 3.75% increase on top of a 4.75% pay rise the year before following the agreement of the WA Health System – Medical Practitioners – AMA Industrial Agreement 2024.
The 3% pay rise came into effect on September 3, but the timing of the increase will depend on how a doctor is paid.
AMA (WA) President Dr Kyle Hoath said doctors working across the public system deserved the pay rise.
"The 3% increase taking effect this month is the final wage rise secured under the current agreement, which has delivered a total salary increase of 11.5% over its life," he said.
"As preparations begin for bargaining in early 2027, AMA (WA) members will be looking to build on these gains and secure wage growth that outpaces inflation. A strong and united membership will be critical to achieving that outcome."
Those paid through Ascender/HRplus should have seen their new pay in their accounts by September 10.
Those paid through Lattice should expect to see their pay rise implemented in their September 24 pay.
Lattice-paid doctors will also receive a retrospective back payment for September 3-6, scheduled to be paid on October 8.
When the industrial agreement was made, it also encompassed efforts to improve recruitment and retention within the public health system as it faced increasing pressure and staffing demands.
It included a $4000 support payment for doctors in training to assist with training expenses and a commitment to review on-call and recall payments within the next two years.
It also made moves to address GP shortages with a promise to modernise the GP classification structure to recognise more practitioners as specialists.
Two years on, strain continues in the public health sector and pay remains a concern for junior doctors.
This year’s AMA (WA) Hospital Health Check found compliance with employment entitlements remains one of the poorest performing areas in the health system.
Almost two thirds (65%) of those surveyed reported experiencing pay errors while 38% cited systemic or cultural pressure as the main barrier to claiming overtime.