Following the QNMU’s message to members on 7 December confirming that EB11 had been certified by Queensland Industrial Relations Commission, members have contacted us seeking additional information about how pay increases will apply in the 21 December 2022 pay run.
Here are some of the frequently asked questions:
When is the pay increase effective?
The pay increase is effective from 1 April 2022 and eligible employees who were employed by Queensland Health on and from 11 November 2022 will also receive the back payment in a lump sum in the 21 December pay run. Unfortunately, Department of Education nurses won’t receive the new pay rates or back pay until early in the new year.
Why does my payslip appear to only show backpay to October?
Over the weekend, members employed by Queensland Health would have received their payslips showing backpay and wage increases flowing from the certification of EB11.
Your payslip should show the backpay itemised for the last four pay cycles and there should be an additional section below for earlier pay cycles back to 1 April. If you have concerns that you have not been paid the full amount you are owed, please contact Queensland Health through myHR.
Are penalty rates and entitlements being back paid?
The backpay you will receive in the 21 December pay run applies to your existing pay and allowances. However, new allowances such as the double time Sunday penalty rate and the Nurse Practitioner allowance only apply from the date that the agreement was certified - 7 December 2022.
Why weren’t the Sunday penalty rates or other new allowances paid in the 21 December pay run?
Queensland Health has advised that Sunday penalty rates have not increased in the pay system yet, nor has the extension of the mental health allowance to more sites or the Nurse Practitioner allowance. Queensland Health has advised that this may not happen for some months.
When these allowances are implemented in the pay system you will receive back pay to 7 December 2022 (the date the EB11 agreement was certified).
The only EB11 entitlements that have been implemented in the pay system at this stage are the wage and allowance increases and the annual leave not being deducted on public holidays.
Will annual leave be deducted for days that fall on a public holiday?
Under EB11, the QNMU has secured an agreement that annual leave is to be exclusive of all public holidays – this means no annual leave will be deducted for days that fall on a public holiday. This arrangement applies to any public holiday from 7 December 2022 (the date the EB11 agreement was certified).
Find out more about annual leave being exclusive of public holidays here .
What are the public holiday penalty rates for Queensland Health nurses and midwives?
Penalty rates for Queensland Health nurses and midwives who work on:
- Sat 24 Dec 6pm-midnight (Christmas Eve) – Double time and a half
- Sun 25 Dec (Christmas Day) – Triple time
- Mon 26 Dec (Boxing Day) – Time and a half
- Tue 27 Dec (gazetted Christmas Day) – Time and a half
- Sun 1 Jan (New Year’s Day) – Double time
- Mon 2 Jan (gazetted New Year’s Day) – time and a half.
Members should also note that under EB11, Christmas Day has become a ‘special’ public holiday for the purposes of employees not working on that day. From this year, if you are rostered off on Christmas Day you will receive an additional day’s pay. This entitlement was moved from Show Day to Christmas Day.
More information about EB11 is available at www.qnmu.org.au/eb11