Implications for Nursing Pay Equity
The New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) has delivered a landmark decision recognising the undervaluation of nursing work, which could have national implications for wage settings in the healthcare sector.
Over the past 16 years, the commission found that the skills and complexity involved in nursing and midwifery have historically been overlooked in wage determinations due to gender biases. This decision marks a shift in recognising the evolved value of nursing work over this period.
The commission accepted that the increasing complexity and intensity of nursing tasks, including patient care, virtual health services, and emergency protocols, justify a re-evaluation of wages. Nurses and midwives are required to use advanced skills and technologies, working to the full scope of their practice.
Adjunct Professor Zeitz FACN, CEO of the Australian College of Nursing, stated, "Nursing is a highly gendered profession with women making up around 90% of all nurses. Significantly, the Bench found that nursing skills, including complex communication skills, interpersonal skills, and complex problem solving, have never before been evaluated in the exercise of wage setting."
The decision acknowledges the increasing patient acuity and dependency, shorter hospital stays, and expanding scope of practice as factors contributing to the increased value of nurses' work.
Pay Increases and Future Proceedings
The decision results in pay increases over three years: 16% for registered nurses and midwives, 18% for enrolled nurses, and 28% for assistants in nursing, affecting nearly 70,000 professionals in NSW.
Aligning with the Fair Work Commission's 2024 findings on aged care workers, the IRC highlighted that gender-based undervaluation of skilled work is not limited to the aged care sector, indicating potential impacts on upcoming federal wage proceedings in June 2026.
Adjunct Professor Zeitz added, "There remains significant work to be done on pay equity, sick leave and flexible working arrangements. this decision represents a step forward for the nursing profession."
The decision prompts a review of current legislative frameworks to better address pay equity issues, suggesting that additional reforms may be necessary to prevent gender-based undervaluation in future wage settings.
The NSW IRC's findings are expected to influence the Fair Work Commission's proceedings, which address wage rates for nurses under the federal nursing award outside of aged care, scheduled for June 2026.
Acknowledging the significant work by the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association, the Bench recognised the challenge for parties and the Commission to set wages and conditions without gender undervaluation under current settings.
