After lengthy negotiations between the QNMU and Queensland Health to implement clause 32 of the EB10 agreement, members working in multi-disciplinary teams in a role that could be occupied by either a Health Practitioner (HP) or a nurse are now being paid the higher rate of pay applicable to their role.

The QNMU understands this change has amounted to over $1 million in back pay that was owed from September 2018, with QH finally paying members at the end of March 2021. 

Back in EB10, the QNMU successfully negotiated this commitment with QH, based on the shared acknowledgement that many nurses in multi-disciplinary teams were doing the same work as HPs but were not being paid the higher amount. 

Since then, we have worked closely with QH to progress implementation, noting the complexities of the payroll systems. The QNMU helped to identify multi-disciplinary roles and teams, and where necessary escalated collective and individual disputes on behalf of members. 
 
For example, identified Aged Care Assessment Team nurses and Acute Mental Health Clinical Nurses will receive an increase of $8000 – $16,000 per year, achieving the same rates of pay as their health practitioner (HP4) colleagues in their team.  

It was a complicated undertaking that required many hours of work by the QNMU to progress the various issues that arose out of the EB10 commitment.  

The process is almost complete, but work is still being done in the QH payroll system to ensure nurses can progress through HP increments.
 
We are thrilled that members working in multi-disciplinary roles who are doing the work of HPs are now receiving the higher amount – the appropriate acknowledgement for the important work these members do. 

If you haven’t started receiving the higher amount and you think you should be, we encourage you to speak to your Line Manager or your local HR Area. If you cannot resolve the issue, contact the QNMU.