The 2024-28 Victorian Public Sector Mental Health Services Enterprise Agreement has now been submitted to the Fair Work Commission for approval. It will become operational and enforceable seven days after FWC approval.
Western Health Vote breakdown
The yes vote for Western Health was 96.8 per cent. The builds on the 88% yes vote for other public mental health services with every single public sector workplace achieving a successful yes vote.
ANMF congratulates all members on this incredible achievement. It was your willingness to engage in protected industrial action that got this over the line – whether it was wearing the red ANMF campaign t-shirts at work; refusing to be redeployed or to do paperwork or data entry; or engaging with consumers, carers and supporters around the importance of the campaign.
All public sector mental health nurse members are now guaranteed pay increases totalling 28.4 per cent (inclusive of 1 July 2024 increase) – alongside over 80 new or improved conditions and entitlements.
ANMF members achieved important improvements covering definitions, leave, allowances, classifications, predictable hours of work, fatigue and overtime, dispute resolution, recruitment and retention initiatives, education and professional development, maximising permanent employment, occupational health and safety and gender equity. This also includes additional mental health nursing EFT, consistent with ANMF member endorsed claims.
What happens next?
The Victorian Hospitals Industrial Association has lodged the agreement application with the Fair Work Commission on 5 January 2026. The Commission will go through the agreement and ensure that all the legally required steps have been followed and that every aspect of the agreement complies with relevant federal legislation and that the Agreement passes the better off overall test.
The timeline on this process is not within ANMF’s control, but members will be updated when further information on the approval is available.
When will I get my backpay?
The new rates and backpay will be paid in line with the Fair Work Act, which is when the agreement is operational (seven days following FWC approval).
The wage increases will be backdated to the following dates:
- First Full Pay Period On Or After (FFPPOOA) 20 May 2025
- First Full Pay Period On Or After (FFPPOOA) 5 January 2026
When you receive your first payslip with the new rates, if you are eligible to receive a back payment of wages, this should be clearly listed on your payslip – for example as ‘backpay’.
