Hospital strike out

RIVERLAND medical staff will join hundreds of nurses as they reject the State Government’s most recent pay offer, which they claim still “leaves South Australian nurses and midwifes as the lowest paid in Australia”.

Riverland nurses and midwives — understood to be based at SA Health sites including the Berri-based Riverland General Hospital, Barmera Health Service, and the Loxton Hospital Complex — supported the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) SA branch last Thursday, as the union hosted The Public Sector Enterprise Agreement Stop Work Rally outside of Parliament House.

Representing more than 26,000 nurses across the state, the strike came after months-long negotiations, and a most recent State Government offer of a 13 per cent pay rise over four years, bonus payments totalling $4500, and incentives, including:

• A $3000 regional service incentive on completion of every three years of post-incentive service.
• Introduction of a lead aprons allowance for each shift a nurse is required to wear this equipment.
• A commitment to further negotiations to improve on-call and recall allowances and rates.
• Enhancing flexible working arrangements, particularly for those employees returning from parental leave.
• Supporting career development including clarification of training period for qualification allowance for enrolled nurses.

Though set to deliver an increased wage rise between $10,212 and $13,934, nurses and midwives at the Berri-based Regional General Hospital told The Murray Pioneer the offer was a “kick in the teeth”.

“We just want respect, but this isn’t a respectful offer,” a Riverland General Hospital staff member— speaking to The Murray Pioneer under the condition of anonymity — said.

“We rejected the 13 per cent when they offered it, and all they have come back with is these bonus payments, which are worked out pro rata, and (delivered) in a normal pay packet, so it’s taxed.

“You would be lucky to get half (of the bonus).

“Victoria recently received a 28.4 per cent (compounded) rise, so as now the lowest-paid nurses in Australia, all we are doing is asking for a decent monetary offer to make (South Australian nursing) more competitive with other states.

“We simply cannot attract or attain new, or permeant nurses because (possible staff) go to other states where they can get more money for the same job — and honestly, why wouldn’t they?

“This offer is heavily rejected at this site, and considering the rally going ahead, also by the (wider) union — it doesn’t scratch the surface of our concerns.”

It is understood ANMF SA has written to the State Government, stating it has rejected the latest offer and called on a resumption of negotiations. In the “absence of a respectful offer”, ANMF SA will look to move into the next phase of industrial action.

“Regional nurses and midwives across South Australia showed up with strength and conviction, making it clear they’re ready to be heard and recognised. Regional areas need stronger support to attract and retain staff,” ANMF SA branch CEO Elizabeth Dabars said.

“Their call for respect, fair pay, and meaningful support is both powerful and deeply warranted,” Ms Dabars said.

“Nurses and midwives continue to deliver safe, high-quality care every day while advocating for a stronger, fairer health system that respects both patients and the professionals who care for them.”

Going forward, local staff said they hoped to see the State Government propose an offer that considers the rural and regional public health system, so as to improve conditions for staff, and the wider community.

“As nurses and midwives, we do this job because we love it — it’s clearly not for the money,” they said.

“But every day, we walk away mentally and physically exhausted, and feeling like we can’t do our jobs.

“It feels like we have been shafted, and we’re suffering, which then, makes the community suffer.”

In a statement provided to The Murray Pioneer, Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network (RMCLHN) chief executive officer Wayne Champion said “our dedicated nurses and midwives work extremely hard and we are grateful for the care they provide across our RMCLHN sites”.

“No patient services were impacted as a result of the industrial action that took place on October 30, at our Riverland sites.

“RMCLHN has contingency plans in place if industrial action occurs to try to minimise any potential impacts and ensure patient safety.

“The state government is continuing to work closely with the ANMF SA to secure increased pay and working conditions across the health sector.”

According to The Fair Work Ombudsman, as of October 1, 2025, it is understood current nurse and midwife wage rates for full-time to part-time work, include:

• An enrolled nurse currently gets paid between $28.64 and $30.13 ($42.96-$45.20 on Saturdays, and $50.12-$52.73 on Sundays).
• A ‘Level 1’ registered nurse currently gets paid between $30.64 and $36.82 ($45.96-$55.23 on Saturdays, and $53.62-$64.44 on Sundays).
• A ‘First Year and Second Year’ nurse practitioner currently gets paid between $47.16 and $48.56 ($70.74-$72.84 on Saturdays, and $82.53-$84.98 on Sundays).
• A ‘Level 1’ occupational health nurse gets paid between $32.88 and $36.82 ($49.32-$55.23 on Saturdays, and $57.54-$64.44 on Sundays).