After 23 months of intensive negotiations and multiple appearances before the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW, the USU is proud to announce a landmark award for our NSW Ambulance members delivering the most significant improvements to wages and conditions in nearly three decades.

This historic outcome is a direct result of the unity, persistence, and strength of USU members who stood firm throughout a lengthy and challenging bargaining process

The Union has secured along with back pay:

  • An additional 0.5% increase to salary and salary-related allowances effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2024, noting that an interim 3% increase has already been applied from that date.
  • A further 4.5% increase from 1 July 2025, comprising a 4.0% salary increase and an additional 0.5% to superannuation.
  • A subsequent 4.0% increase to salary and salary-related allowances effective from 1 July 2026.

In addition to these general increases, there are significant structural improvements to key classifications. The Call Taker role formerly known as Operations Centre Communications Assistant will now be officially retitled Emergency Medical Call Taker, formally recognising the vital emergency response work performed by these members. This group will also receive two additional increments, delivering a meaningful uplift to their pay and recognition of their frontline contribution.

For Emergency Medical Call Taker 000 Operators with five or more years of service, this means total increases of approximately 14.3% to 16.7% over the life of the new award.

Further, a realignment of rates with the Communications Team Leader (formerly Operations Centre Senior Supervisor) will occur from 1 July 2025, providing a substantial increase to their base rate of pay.

When combined with the increases achieved between 2022 and 2023 and the uniform allowance secured by the USU in 2024 which is one of the highest in NSW Health equating to around 1% of the median wage, depending on their classification USU Ambulance members between 2022 and 2026 will have realised increases between 18% and 24.7%.

This outstanding result is testament to the solidarity and commitment of USU members across NSW Ambulance who backed the union team at every turn, providing the strength and mandate needed to secure such a comprehensive outcome.

Special recognition goes to USU Delegates MJ Bowyer, Jake Tucker, and Micala Speed, who were present at every meeting with the Ministry and appearance before the Industrial Relations Commission, as well as USU Industrial Officer Bill O’Kell and Organisers Mick Jones & Craig Diebert whose dedication, patience, and drive delivered this exceptional result.

This achievement underscores the power of union membership, when we stand together, we win together.