The Fair Work Commission has handed down its long-awaited final decision in the review into gender-based undervaluation of workers covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services (HPSS) Award — a landmark outcome that will deliver pay rises of between 16 and 32% to health professionals across Australia.
MSAV (through its member branches including the VPA and AHP) played a central role in this case, with more than 15 members giving formal evidence and a number being cross-examined by employer groups.
What did the Fair Work Commission decide?
The Commission found that significant increases to health professionals’ national minimum rates of pay — between approximately 16% and 32% — are needed to correct historical gender-based undervaluation.
These minimum rates underpin enterprise agreement pay rates across the public, private, and community sectors. The increases will be delivered in several instalments between 2026 and 2030.
When will the pay rises take effect?
The first instalment was originally expected in June 2026, but the final decision has pushed this back slightly to October 2026. Further increases will take effect each June in subsequent years through to 2030.
Importantly, these HPSS award increases are separate and additional to the usual annual wage review that considers CPI and other economic factors.
What about Hospital Pharmacists?
One disappointing element of the final decision was the Commission’s rejection of the push to peg Hospital Pharmacists’ standard minimum qualifications at AQF8 (Bachelor with Honours). The Commission confirmed its original decision to peg them at AQF7 (Bachelor without Honours).
While the reasoning is frustrating, MSAV is confident this will not significantly impact public sector Pharmacist members or change the pay outcome being sought.
What does this mean if your enterprise agreement rates are overtaken by the award uplift?
Award rates function as a safety net — if enterprise agreement rates ever fall below the new HPSS award rates, the award rates will apply instead. This is particularly relevant for workers in the private and community sectors.
MSAV is preparing further information for members whose EA rates may be affected by the uplifts. Keep an eye out for updates coming soon.
Why this decision matters
This review has been a generational opportunity to correct long-term undervaluing of pay rates in the health sector — work that has predominantly been performed by women. The outcome is the result of years of effort by union members, advocates, and legal teams who built the case from the ground up.
Significant wins like this don’t happen in a vacuum. They happen when a strong, united collective of workers stands up and pushes for change.
Stay up to date
MSAV will continue to provide updates as further details are confirmed. If you have questions about how this decision affects your pay or enterprise agreement, contact us at msav.org.au.
