Victorian Paramedics Set For Pay Rise And Improved Conditions

The Victorian Ambulance Union has announced a new in-principle agreement with Ambulance Victoria.

The agreement will see wage increases ranging from nearly 17 per cent to 33 per cent over four years, putting Victoria’s paramedics among the highest paid in the country.

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Union secretary Danny Hill said that the deal rewards long-serving staff and ensures that Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) paramedics will be the top earners in Australia. 

The new agreement aims to address working conditions, responding to concerns highlighted during negotiations, including incidents involving fatigue-related accidents.

“There is a lot more work to do including on ramping, response times, workload and morale. This outcome will allow us to focus our full attention on working through those matters with AV and government.”

Mr Hill said there are around 80 new or improved working conditions designed to enhance work-life balance for paramedics.

Key changes include policies to prevent paramedics from being sent out in the last hour of their shifts for low-priority cases and limiting post-shift contact to life-threatening emergencies. 

Additionally, rural Ambulance Community Officers will receive a $5 per hour allowance for volunteering in their local areas.

The government expressed satisfaction with the agreement, and emphasised the ongoing challenges faced by paramedics. 

“This is exactly what our paramedics have been calling for.”

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