News

The Victorian Ambulance Union Incorporated (VAU) stressed heavily in bargaining that given Health Select Services (HSS) were already so far behind other NEPT companies in wages and conditions, the wage increases in the proposed Agreement would be inadequate. Unfortunately, this was not heard by HSS or the majority of employees, who are not members, and the Agreement was voted up despite our objections. The HSS 2025 Agreement came into effect on 4 December 2025.

Award Wage Increases

The Ambulance and Patient Transport Award sets out the minimum legal wages and conditions in your industry. Every year the Fair Work Commission (FWC) reviews the wages and allowances and orders an increase in Modern Awards.

The FWC determined that there was a need for an increase of 4.75% this year, applicable the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. While this number is intended to address current and historical inflation that has resulted in a cut to real wages, the FWC recognised that it still falls short. In their decision, they said they did not “consider that it is practicable in this year’s Review to award a real increase to all modern award minimum wage rates such as to close the real wage gap which has opened up since 2021”.

Disappointingly, but as predicted by the VAU, PTO wages and conditions in the HSS Agreement have already fallen below these new minimum wages. Employees at HSS were not due for their next increase until the first full pay period after 1 October 2026. However, to meet the new minimum wages, HSS PTOs will need to receive their increase three and a half months early. Alarmingly, even those proposed 1 October 2026 increases would have fallen below the current Award. See the table at the end of this bulletin for further information.

Allowances

The following increases to allowances should also take effect from first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026:

• Meal allowance – working away from usual workplace $20.91 per shift to purchase a meal away from the branch or usual place of work
• Meal allowance – delayed meal break $5.52 per occasion
• Meal allowance – interrupted break $20.91 per shift
• Meal allowance – overtime $26.16 for a meal

Employees cannot rely on employers like HSS and their non-union agreements, or even the FWC, to restore your real wages, let alone provide real increases. In an economic environment that is hostile to workers, only collective action can push for fair compensation for your hard work and increased scope of practice.

In Solidarity