Ahpra CEO Justin Untersteiner attended the bargaining meeting on 19 March, presenting management’s initial offer in response to staff claims. He’s also conducting a roadshow across each state.
The offer, which can be viewed HERE, was only provided to unions and bargaining reps on the morning of the meeting. This meant we could ask some general questions, but detailed questioning will need to occur at the next meeting. While this is not a “lowball” offer, there are still some games being played with this offer.
Ahpra is asking staff and unions to provide in-principle support by 17 April. If that support is given, management will go to the Board to seek approval to add five more claims to the offer.
There is no guarantee the Board will agree to add those five claims. We don’t understand why the Board would add further conditions after an offer has already received in-principle support. From our perspective, this is an incredibly flawed approach.
Ahpra has indicated it is willing to provide three additional paid leave days over the Christmas/New Year period – with Justin citing how successful this has been at other organisations and improved culture. However, these days are not part of the offer. They will only be provided if bargaining is finalised and staff vote YES on the agreement by 5 June 2026. If this is a genuine improvement, it should be included in the offer – not made conditional on a final vote. Why hold such a significant condition to ransom?
Ahpra is proposing to remove leave loading for future employees. That would mean new staff, doing the same work, would earn around 1.5% less than existing staff. That is blatantly unfair, creating a two-tier workforce. It sets a clear precedent for further cuts in future agreements – cutting conditions for future staff is the first step towards cutting your conditions.
We have a number of questions we will be raising, including: Why are changes to classification structure delayed until 2028?
Why is there no meaningful response the workload crisis? Will there be compensation if CPI exceeds the proposed 3%
increase in Years 2 & 3?
The next bargaining meeting is on 2 April; we want to take member questions into that meeting. If you have a question, contact your delegate or email – or attend a town hall meeting and raise questions directly!
At the bargaining meeting on 16 April, we will respond to Ahpra’s offer and outline what must change if they want in-principle support ahead of their 17 April deadline.
Authorised by Stewart Little (CPSU-SPSF Group), 160 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000; Annie Butler (ANMF), 1/365 Queen Street, Melbourne VIC 3000; and Alex Scott (Together Queensland), Level 4, 43 Peel Street, South Brisbane QLD 4101.
