Doctors in South Australia’s public health system have voted in favour of a new enterprise agreement that promises pay rises above inflation and stronger support for junior doctors and those working in regional areas.
The agreement, covering Salaried Medical Officers, includes a total wage rise of 13% over four years. It begins with a 3.5% increase backdated to April 2025, followed by 3.25% in April 2026, another 3.25% in April 2027, and 3% in April 2028. Junior doctors will also receive a $4,050 base wage increase, and incentives of up to $39,493 are on offer to encourage doctors to stay in regional communities.
Other measures include a lift in professional development payments for junior doctors in accredited training programs, rising from $8,500 to $10,000, as well as mandatory 10-hour breaks between shifts to reduce fatigue. Rural Generalists will also receive new recognition in the agreement, alongside increased allowances to reflect the wide-ranging demands of their work.
The ballot closed on Sunday with 72 per cent of participants supporting the deal. It followed months of negotiations between the State Government and the SA Salaried Medical Officers Association (SASMOA), which had previously threatened strike action.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said the agreement delivered fair recognition for the contribution of doctors across the system. “The doctors in our public health system work exceptionally hard to care for South Australians and they deserve this fair and reasonable pay rise,” he said. “Not only does it deliver a real wage rise, it delivers a significant boost for junior doctors to recognise the importance of the work they do, and ensure their pay is nationally competitive. We’re also offering generous incentives to attract and retain doctors in regional South Australia. I want to thank SASMOA for working constructively with the government to deliver an outcome which is in the interest of doctors and their patients.”
Minister for Industrial Relations Kyam Maher described it as a fair deal that recognised the pressures on junior staff. “Public sector doctors play a critical role in the lives of South Australians, particularly in our public hospitals. This is a fair deal which delivers a real pay increase to our hard-working doctors, while particularly focussing on the needs of junior doctors to ensure their pay is nationally competitive and we can continue to grow our medical workforce. The Government thanks SASMOA and its leadership for working collaboratively and negotiating in good faith to get the best outcome for its members.”
Health Minister Chris Picton said the package reflected the government’s investment in public health. “Our doctors deserve fair and reasonable wages for the hard work they put in every day caring for South Australians. The Malinauskas Government recognises that hard work and has put forward a new agreement, backed by SASMOA, that delivers fair and reasonable pay rises for our salaried medical officers. This agreement will also provide additional pay rises for junior doctors and senior registrars, greater certainty around working hours and employment conditions, and new incentives to attract and retain more doctors in our regions.”
The deal builds on the government’s broader commitments, including the creation of 600 hospital beds and the recruitment of more than 2,700 health workers since the election. This includes 646 extra doctors above attrition, more than six times the election pledge of 100.
The new agreement will now be lodged with the South Australian Employment Tribunal for approval.
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