NSW nurses secure landmark pay rise after years-long fight
Nurses and midwives across New South Wales are set to receive significant pay increases following a landmark industrial ruling.
womensagenda.com.auHere’s the latest I can provide based on recent public reporting.
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NSW nurses and midwives have secured a pay rise, with figures reported around 16% over three years for many staff, including a one-off reset (backdated to mid-2025) and additional incremental increases in the following years. This result came from the NSW Industrial Relations Commission after a period of dispute and negotiation.[3][4][7]
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The pay rise is targeted across roles, but the exact percentages vary by position: enrolled nurses and nursing assistants typically see sizable increases, while registered nurses and midwives also receive meaningful uplifts as part of the overall agreement. The deal is set to be phased in over the three-year period and aligns with broader discussions about public sector wages in NSW ahead of/state elections.[2][7][3]
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Reactions to the agreement have been mixed: unions welcomed the outcome as a historic step, but some argued it does not fully address long-standing undervaluation or staffing needs, and critics note it may still lag behind equivalents in other states. The deal’s cost is described as substantial and is shaping ongoing political debate.[7][2][3]
Notes and caveats:
- Reports from multiple outlets in mid-April 2026 consistently cited a 16% total uplift over three years for many NSW nurses and midwives, with a 10% one-off reset in the first year. Exact figures can differ by role and awarded adjustments, so please check the specific entitlement for your position.[4][3][7]
- If you’d like, I can pull the precise breakdown by role (registered nurses, enrolled nurses, nursing assistants) and show a simple summary table, or provide a short briefing tailored to your role.[2]
Would you like a quickbulleted summary by role or a concise timeline of when the increases take effect? I can also cite the sources directly after each line if you want.[3][7][2]