PUBLIC sector nurses and midwives across NSW should have now received backpay payments, following a pay increase decision by the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) in April.
The IRC ruling delivered nurses and midwives a pay rise of between 16 and 28 percent over a period of three years, backdated to 1 July 2025.
Backpayments began in mid-May and were expected to be complete by the first week of June.
Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said the “well-deserved backpay will deliver some relief in these tough economic times”.
Registered nurses and midwives will receive a 16 percent pay increase, with 10 percent awarded in the first year, and three percent in each of the two years following
Enrolled nurses will receive an 18 percent pay increase, with 12 percent awarded in the first year, and three percent in each of the two years following
Assistants in nursing will receive a 28 percent pay increase, with 22 percent awarded in the first year, and three percent in each of the two years following.
Of first year payments, nurses and midwives have already received a three percent pay rise in an interim agreement last year, which included an increase to night shift penalties.
Public sector nurses and midwives have expressed mixed emotions since the IRC’s 16 April decision.
The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association noted that while the pay rise fell short of what had been hoped for, it will “go some way to addressing the challenges” in the professions.
“However, the decision does not go far enough to ensure we feel valued for the work we do, day in, day out,” the union said in a statement.
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