EBA Updates Around the Country

NPAA continues to advocate for stronger wages, safer workloads, and better protections for nurses and midwives nationwide. Here are the latest updates from bargaining tables across Australia. 

VISION EYE INSTITUTE QUEENSLAND EBA

Vision Eye Institute Queensland Nurses EBA 2026

Voting is now set to commence for the proposed Vision Eye Institute Queensland Nurses EBA 2026, with voting opening Tuesday 12 May and closing Thursday 14 May.

NPAA secured wage increases across:

• 3% from November 2025
• Targeted uplifts of 4% for RN Levels 1.3–1.4
• 5% for RN Levels 1.5–1.8 to address pay gaps where members were falling behind Queensland Health
• Further increases of 2.75% in July 2026 and 3.25% in July 2027

Additional improvements include:

• A $300 CPD allowance every six months, with an additional $300 reimbursable annually
• Lead Apron Allowance increasing to $5.00 per session, approximately a 57% increase
• Stronger rostering protections, with shifts only extendable beyond 10 hours by mutual agreement
• Paid attendance secured for remotely attended staff meetings via video conference

Despite these gains, NPAA remains disappointed that Vision Eye Institute declined to include a Disaster Leave Clause. NPAA advocated strongly for this outcome and shared members’ frustration.

Ramsay Health Care QLD Nurses & Midwives

Ramsay Health Care Queensland Nurses and Midwives. Enterprise Agreement 2023-2025.

NPAA has continued bargaining with Ramsay Health and received an updated wage proposal for a four-year agreement expiring September 2029.

The current proposal includes wage increases of:

• 3% from October 2025
• 2.5% in October 2026
• 2.5% in October 2027
• 3% in April 2028
• 3% in October 2028

Additional proposed improvements include:

• 38 hours of paid professional development leave per year, with the ability to carry over up to 76 hours
• 12 weeks paid parental leave for primary carers
• Two weeks paid parental leave for non-primary carers
• A new RN/RM Level 1 pay point from April 2028
• Inclusion of a Nurse Practitioner classification
• Disaster leave provisions

On-call arrangements remain a major outstanding issue. Over 70% of members say the current requirement of 75 or more on-call shifts is unrealistic and unfair. NPAA continues to push for fairer thresholds, including reducing requirements to 40 or less on-call shifts and 15 or more call-outs. 

Healthscope QLD Nurses & Midwives

Healthscope - Queensland - Nurses - Enterprise Agreement 2021

Healthscope Queensland has been in discussions with NPAA regarding the bargaining process for a new Queensland Nurses Agreement. Following recent developments, including the sale of the Gold Coast facility and ongoing financial challenges, Healthscope has proposed delaying formal bargaining until 2027.

As part of interim discussions, Healthscope has proposed:

• An administrative pay increase for nurses while the current EBA remains beyond expiry

• Delaying formal bargaining discussions until 2027

NPAA wants members to know these are still early-stage discussions and no final agreement has been reached. We understand uncertainty can be difficult. NPAA is carefully reviewing the proposal and will continue advocating strongly. Updates will arrive shortly.

Bluecare Nursing Employees (QLD)

Bluecare Nursing Employees Enterprise Agreement 2024

NPAA is preparing for upcoming negotiations with BlueCare and wants members to know we are ready to fight for the conditions you deserve. Our draft Log of Claims focuses on the issues members have raised most strongly including:

• A 15% wage increase over the life of the Agreement to reflect ongoing cost-of-living pressures
• Public holiday penalties increased to 250% in line with the Award
• Safe staffing ratios, including a maximum 1:30 RN-to-resident ratio across all shifts
• Stronger workload protections, including mandatory written responses to workload concerns within 48 hours
• 14 weeks paid parental leave for primary carers
• Direct SIRS reporting rights for all staff without requiring management approval

NPAA will be at the bargaining table advocating.. Stay tuned for further updates.

RFDS Central Operations Nurses & Midwives : South Australia & the Northern Territory

Royal Flying Doctor Service Central Operations Aeromedical Nurses & Midwives Agreement 2022 (Adelaide, Alice Springs, Darwin & Port Augusta)

NPAA is preparing to enter negotiations with the Royal Flying Doctor Service Central Operations for a new Aeromedical Nurses & Midwives Agreement covering members in Adelaide, Alice Springs, Darwin, and Port Augusta.

Our draft Log of Claims reflects the unique pressures and demands of aeromedical and retrieval nursing including:

• Annual wage increases of no less than 3.5%, plus CPI uplift adjustments where cost-of-living pressures exceed wage growth
• An increase to the Consolidated Penalties Allowance from 30% to 35%
• A new Midwifery Allowance of $7,500 per annum recognising the critical clinical role midwives play in aeromedical settings
• Enforceable meal break and fatigue protections on 12-hour shifts, including protected crib breaks

NPAA will continue to advocate. Updates will arrive shortly.

Why Representation Matters

Strong workplace outcomes don’t arrive by accident. They come into fruition when nurses and midwives have representation willing to push back, challenge employers, and advocate for meaningful change.

Every claim raised is driven by real member feedback from real workplace experiences. When nurses speak up together, employers are forced to listen.

With multiple agreements active, NPAA remains committed to standing beside nurses and midwives wherever we can and continuing to raise the standard across Australia.

Are you an NPAA member?

When bargaining officially commences, employers are legally required to issue employees with a Notice of Employee Representational Rights (NERR).

NPAA requires a copy of this notice from our members so we can represent you. This is how we become formally appointed as your bargaining representative and advocate on your behalf throughout negotiations.

Please forward your NERR to us ASAP to ensure we can represent your voice at the bargaining table too. Together we fight for individuals and the profession. And we will win.

LOOKING FOR WORKPLACE SUPPORT?

Want to hear more about how we advocate nurses? Our workplace support for individuals? Book a call and let’s talk.

We’d love to hear from you and learn how the NPAA can support you.