South Australian ambulance officers are set to receive pay rises and updated conditions after workers voted strongly in favour of a new enterprise agreement negotiated with the State Government.
The SA Ambulance Service Enterprise Agreement 2025 covers around 2,100 employees and provides a total wage increase of 13.5 per cent, delivered across four annual increases between December 2025 and December 2028. The vote followed months of negotiations, with the Ambulance Employees Association endorsing the offer late last year before putting it to members.
Beyond pay, the agreement includes changes aimed at addressing long-standing workplace concerns. These include additional pay points and classification increments, higher payments for end of shift overtime rising to 200 per cent, increased regional incentive payments, and expanded paid leave for primary carers and partners. A professional development allowance of $1,200 a year has also been included, reflecting ongoing training demands within the service.
With employee support secured, the agreement will now be lodged with the South Australian Employment Tribunal for formal approval in the coming weeks.
The deal marks the second agreement reached between the Malinauskas Labor Government and ambulance officers during the current term. A previous agreement in 2022 delivered the first pay increase for ambos in four years, following a period in which wages had remained unchanged under the former Liberal government.
The Government has framed the new agreement within its broader health spending program. Since the election, it has committed to 24 new, upgraded or rebuilt ambulance stations, with about three quarters already completed. It has also announced plans for more than 600 additional hospital beds and says it has recruited over 2,700 frontline health workers above attrition, including 350 extra ambulance officers.
Industrial agreements have also been finalised with other public sector groups in recent months, including firefighters, police, doctors, allied health workers, SA Water staff and a range of care and support roles.
Health Minister Kyam Maher said ambulance officers play a vital role in the community and argued the agreement delivers wage growth above inflation while supporting improvements across the health system. He also acknowledged the role of the Ambulance Employees Association in negotiations, describing discussions as constructive.
AEA General Secretary Paul Ekkelboom said the union had focused its campaign on real wage growth, professional recognition, and measures to help attract and retain staff. He said the strong yes vote reflected member support for improved conditions and confidence in collective bargaining.
While the agreement has been welcomed by both the Government and the union, its implementation will be watched closely by workers and the wider health sector, particularly as demand on ambulance services remains high. How the changes affect staffing stability, workload and response times over the coming years will be central to judging its longer-term impact.
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