Late Friday evening ANMF members received notification from Healthscope management that they would commence docking pay on Saturday 13 December, the day after the notice was provided to members.
This is in relation to Actions 4, 6 and 8:
- data bans;
- bans on management meetings; and
- bans on receptionist/administration and food services duties (action commencing today).
The amount of pay that will be docked appears to vary, dependant on workplace and role. ANMF is reviewing the notices to determine whether there is any basis for challenge.
Importantly, other forms of protected industrial action are not subject to pay docking.
Members are to be congratulated for continuing with protected industrial action in the face of Healthscope’s disappointing tactics.
While pay docking is a lawful option for employers in response to partial work bans, it is very rarely pursued in the health industry. Certainly, we understand that members would have preferred if Healthscope used the time spent on preparing for this action in meeting with ANMF to progress negotiations.
ANMF continues to work towards a resolution of the enterprise agreement. While the further proposal we provided to Healthscope last week has not been agreed, ANMF Industrial Officers and Job Representatives will attend a conference at the Fair Work Commission on Wednesday 17 December.
Action commencing today – 15 December 2025
The following protected industrial action can commence today and ongoing:
- refusal to undertake receptionist/administrative duties and/or food services related duties, such as the delivery of meals, snacks and/or beverages to patients (subject to pay docking); and
- a ban on any Nurse or Midwife in Charge of a ward or unit taking a patient load (whether they are the N/MUM or a Nurse or Midwife in charge in the out of hours of the N/MUM)
Bed closures commenced this morning, however please await advice from your ANMF Job Representative before taking this action. If you have not had advice from your Job Rep, please focus your efforts on other forms of action.
Importantly, cardiac, neurosurgery, oncology, maternity/obstetrics, paediatric, neonatal and palliative care patients, or emergency patients where their condition is expected to deteriorate within 48 hours, are exempt from this action.
Members may also participate in a four-hour work stoppage today between 12:30 and 4:30pm.
If you are working the AM shift, you may stop work at 12:30pm for the remainder of your shift, and if you are working the PM shift, you may commence work at 4:30pm.
As previously advised:
- on wards, night staffing levels should be maintained during the period of the action, and
- in theatres, sufficient staff should remain for emergency cases that may arise during the period of the action.
ANMF staff will be at workplaces to support members, however members are also entitled to simply leave work for the day (if you are rostered to finish at or before 4.30pm) or start work late (if you are rostered to start at or after 4.30pm).
Can the ANMF help if I experience financial hardship as a result of pay docking?
Yes. The ANMF operates a member Hardship Fund for those involved in protected industrial action. Importantly, this is not an income replacement fund, it may provide some support to members who face significant hardship as a result of the protected industrial action where eligible.
Members who are experiencing demonstrated financial hardship and have evidence of pay docking can apply at anmfvic.asn.au/healthscopehardship
Threats or harrassment
It is your right under the Fair Work Act to take the forms of protected industrial including work stoppages.
‘Protected’ means you cannot be dismissed or disciplined for taking these actions.
ANMF will support members who are threatened, intimidated or harassed. To report any threats, intimidation or harassment, including those relating to pay docking, go to anmfvic.asn.au/healthscopereport
Got a campaign questions?
If you have any questions, please contact your local Job Rep or the ANMF Industrial Relations Organiser responsible for your site (see below) via records@anmfvic.asn.au.
Please quote case ID 1083422 in the subject line.
Dorset Rehabilitation Centre – Camilla Ablitt-Collins
Geelong Clinic – Christian Sanderson
Holmesglen Private Hospital – Stephanie Bligh
John Fawkner Hospital – Lachlan Schacht
Knox Private Hospital – Linda Elliott
La Trobe Private Hospital – Julie Wearing-Smith
Melbourne Private Hospital – Lyndal Alston
Northpark Private Hospital – Julie Wearing-Smith
Ringwood Private Hospital – Linda Elliott
The Melbourne Clinic Private Hospital – Linda Elliott
Victoria Clinic Private Hospital – Narelle Hayes
Victorian Rehabilitation Centre – Jenna Bell
