After months of hard work your new Enterprise Agreement (EB11) has finally been certified by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.

For Queensland Health nurses and midwives, this means you will see an increase in your pay from 21 December 2022.

The pay increase is effective from 1 April 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.

Those allowances that are indexed in accordance with the wage increase will be paid in the same pay period.

Unfortunately, Department of Education nurses won’t receive the new pay rates or back pay until early in the new year.

Under the new agreement you will receive a 4% wage increase for the first year of the agreement, 4% for the second year and 3% for the third year – the most substantial wage increase from any public sector employer in the country.

Plus, you also stand to receive a Cost of Living Adjustment on top of these wage increases depending on the rate of inflation.

Queensland Health members will also be able to access new provisions within the EA, including:

- commitments around annual leave not being deducted on public holidays
- an increase to Sunday penalty rates
- fatigue leave for remote call, and
- the right for part-time employees to have their contracted hours reviewed.

You can check out a more expansive summary of the major outcomes on our website at www.qnmu.org.au/eb11

What about the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) payment?

You will also receive an annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) if the rate of inflation is higher than your wage increases at the end of March each year.

This lump sum payment, calculated in March at the end of each year of the agreement and paid in June, will be equal to the difference between the inflation rate and the wage increase for that year, up to a maximum of 3% per year.

For example, if the inflation rate is 7% at the end of March next year, you will receive your 4% wage increase plus a one-off lump sum payment equivalent to 3% of your base wage.

QNMU members make a difference

Public sector members can be proud to have secured this agreement and set such a high benchmark for wages and conditions.

It was your hard work, determination and direct effort that saw the state government improve its unacceptable 2.5% wage policy and present an EA that acknowledges your dedication and professionalism; and the real cost of living.

Your achievement will help members in other sectors and in other parts of the country push for a better deal.

Congratulations!