The New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission has awarded public hospital psychiatrists a 20% pay increase, following a dispute in which 200 doctors threatened to resign in January. The decision, handed down by Justice David Chin, grants a temporary allowance for 12 months to address a severe shortage of psychiatrists in the state.
Justice Chin acknowledged that the shortage was causing a deterioration of mental health care and that comparatively low pay was a contributing factor. The increase includes a 10% abnormal duties allowance already paid since February and will be absorbed into any future salary rises determined by the commission.
The doctors' union, the Australian Salaried Medical Officers' Federation (Asmof), argued the pay rise was necessary to avoid the collapse of psychiatric care. Since January, 75 psychiatrists have resigned, while many deferred their resignations pending the commission's decision.
Asmof executive director Andrew Holland welcomed the 'historic decision' but stressed that the resignations were not a union strategy but individual decisions by frustrated doctors. Psychiatrist Dr Ian Korbel called the ruling 'not a victory speech but a call to action', urging further investment in community mental health and housing.
Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson said the government would implement the findings, describing the decision as a 'positive resolution'. However, Dr Pramudie Gunaratne of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists warned that larger reforms are needed, as 58,000 patients with complex conditions cannot access care.
