Pay Parity and Better Working Conditions for Public Psychiatrists in NSW Health Department
Petitioner:
Mr Mitchell Wallis
| Member:
Preston, Robyn
| No. of Signatories:
275
| Date closed:
22/05/2025
To the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly,
On January 21st, 2025, two-thirds of psychiatrists in NSW’s public health system resigned due to inadequate pay and poor working conditions, triggering a mental health crisis. This will cripple services across the state. NSW psychiatrists are offered a 10.5% pay rise over three years, but they seek 25%—bringing them in line with colleagues in other states who earn up to 30% more for the same work.
A senior public psychiatrist in NSW earns $250,000 per year, yet private practice offers 30–50% higher salaries, making retention impossible. Prior to this industrial dispute, a third of positions in the public health system remain vacant.
The government relies on expensive locum psychiatrists, earning up to three times more than full-time staff, worsening the workforce crisis. Overworked psychiatrists face burnout and demotivation, jeopardising patient care. Without urgent action, mental health hospitals and services will become inaccessible, putting vulnerable Australians at higher risk of suicide and severe distress.
We ask the Legislative Assembly to urge the NSW Government to work with ASMOF (Australian Salaried Medical Officers' Federation) to ensure pay parity with other states, fill vacant psychiatry roles, and create sustainable working conditions. This crisis must be addressed immediately to prevent avoidable loss of life and safeguard public mental health services.
