Nurses working in medical clinics should check that they are employed under the Nurses Award 2010 and not the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2010.
ANMF have been advised of a number of nurses in medical clinics were being incorrectly employed under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2010 which applies to other health professions and support staff.
These types of awards, along with the National Employment Standards, set the legal minimum conditions for those without an enterprise agreement.
Wage comparison
| Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2010 | Nurses Award 2010 | |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (entry) | $848.70 | $881.50 |
| Year 2 | $881.50 | $899.60 |
| Year 3 | $920.40 | $921.70 |
| Year 4 | $952.20 | $946.10 |
| Year 5 | $1037.30 | $975.30 |
| Year 6 | $1074.20 | $1003.50 |
| Year 7 | N/A | $1003.50 |
| Year 8 and thereafter | N/A | $1059.30 |
| Level 2 | $1080.10 – $1208.20 | $1087.40 – $1142.30 |
| Level 3 | $1260.70 – $1433.70 | $1179.10 – $1243.50 |
| Level 4 | $1526.30 – $1955.50 | $1345.80 – $1526.30 |
| Level 5 | N/A | $1358.10 – $1956.70 |
| Nurse practitioner | N/A | $1356.90 – $1397.10 |
A nurse working in primary care is more likely to be a minimum of Level 2, delivering direct and comprehensive nursing care, and individual case management to a specific group of patients or clients in a particular area of nursing practice within the practice setting.Level 1 of the above nursing structure is the entry level rate, and contemplates a registered nurse working under the general guidance of, or with general access to a more competent registered nurse who provides work related support and direction.
Level 3 is most likely to apply to a nurse manager, educator or nurse consultant (e.g. a diabetes educator). Higher levels, other than nurse practitioner, would be less likely to apply in a primary care setting.
Enrolled nurse rates start at $824.10 ($835.00 for a Diploma qualified EN) through to Year 5 at $866.90pw.
Importantly, the Nurses Award 2010 also provides that an employee (who is not a shiftworker) is entitled to five weeks of paid annual leave for each year of service with their employer, and an employee who is a shiftworker is entitled to six weeks of paid annual leave for each year of service with their employer. A shiftworker is defined as an employee who is regularly rostered over the seven days of the week, and regularly works on weekends. This in an additional week of annual leave than applies under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2010.
Members who think they may be employed under the wrong award should email records@anmfvic.asn.au with their details to enable us to provide comprehensive advice.
