I am pleased to advise you that today we have reached a landmark agreement on a record pay increase for NSW paramedics.

Over 5,000 paramedics will receive an average wage increase of 25 per cent over four years – with increases ranging from 11-29 per cent.

The wage increase recognizes over 15 years of changes to the roles and responsibilities of paramedics. This includes taking on clinical and pharmacological interventions through 60 new protocols ranging from stroke, mental health, emergency department avoidance and death verification.

It delivers professional recognition and remuneration to reflect the move towards university qualification of paramedics and registration requirements with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

The landmark agreement will:

·         Create a new salary structure for paramedics to remove barriers to clinical innovation: delivers a professional salary framework.

·         Establish a new and expanded salary range for new paramedicine practice; and

·         Enable opportunities to expand the scope of paramedic practice and through a new workforce structure fit for the future.

After 12 years of wage suppression and a difficult fiscal position left over by the former Liberal National government our paramedics were not being paid what they deserve.

The half a billion-dollar four-year agreement will be partially funded from the Essential Services Fund and savings from the Health portfolio.

Due to the Minns Labor Government’s careful and responsible approach to repair the budget and reprioritize spending – which we have done without privatization or imposing an unfair wage cap on our essential workers – we are able to provide this record pay increase to paramedics in NSW.

Under the Coalition, paramedics were left to be the lowest paid in the country. Under Labor, they will now be among the highest paid.

I want to thank Gerard Hayes and the membership of the Health Services Union as well as the Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, and Minister for Health for their comprehensive efforts in resolving this matter.

Finally, to our incredible paramedics. Your dedication to saving lives and commitment to excellence in healthcare have not gone unnoticed. We extend our deepest gratitude to the paramedics of NSW for their unwavering service, which ensures the well-being of our communities, and we look forward to a future where your contributions continue to be recognized and rewarded.      

Quotes attributable to Member for Penrith Karen McKeown:

“This is another step in fulfilling our election commitments and a historic stride towards recognizing the invaluable contributions of Penrith’s paramedics; their dedication deserves more than just applause – it deserves fair compensation.

In securing this record pay increase, we affirm our commitment to the well-being of those who tirelessly safeguard the residents of Penrith. Paramedics, your professionalism, and resilience have set a standard deserving of this landmark agreement.

I sincerely thank the incredible paramedics out here in Penrith. For many of you this has been a difficult campaign that commenced over 18 months ago. Thank you for your patience and engagement in this process and the quality of care you provide to the residents of Penrith on a 24-hour basis.

I’m proud to stand with our paramedics, recognising that fair remuneration is not just about monetary value but a testament to the respect we hold for the lifesaving work they perform. This agreement is a step towards improving the wages and conditions of one of our most strained public services, and maintaining the attraction of furthering a career in paramedicine.”