The Fair Work Commission (the Commission) has proposed major changes to the pay and classification structure in the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (HPSS Award), setting out its findings and provisional views about what should be done in a decision handed down on Wednesday , 16 April 2025.
Key findings of the Commission
The Commission has determined that:
- increases to minimum award wages for health professional employees, pathology collectors and dental assistants covered by the HPSS Award are necessary after finding that the existing pay rates do not properly reflect the value of the work performed (in part due to historical undervaluation based on gender);
- the health professional classifications in the HPSS Award for which a Bachelor’s degree qualification is required should align to the “C1(a) Benchmark Rate”. That benchmark is currently $1,525.90 per week; and
- due to the limited evidence about medical technicians before the Commission, a proper assessment of the value of the work was unable to be completed.
Proposed changes: Health Professional Employees
Overview
The Commission proposes that the existing minimum rates and classification structure for health professional employees should be removed and replaced with a new simplified structure that distinguishes between the different professional occupations based on the relevant Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) level. That new structure would also recognise “higher classifications” for health professionals in specialist, supervisory and managerial roles.
How will the proposed classification structure impact the minimum pay rates of health professional employees?
The combined consideration of the AQF level of a professional occupation covered by the HPSS Award and the employee’s years of experience, will determine any change to minimum pay rates. For example:
- A psychologist (AQF 9) would receive an increase between 18.77% and 31.16%.
- A physiotherapist (AQF 7) would receive an increase between 16.53% and 29.91%.
The proposed alignment to AQF levels will result in decreases to the minimum award wages of some employees, however, the Commission has confirmed that transitional arrangements would be implemented to ensure the pay rates of any existing classifications do not go down.
Proposed changes: Support Services Employees
Overview
The Commission proposes to reclassify both pathology collectors and dental assistants within the existing support services classification structure; specifically the “Technical and Clinical” stream. The proposal in both instances is accompanied by new criteria within the relevant classification level.
As to the balance of indicative roles in the “Technical and Clinical” stream, the Commission observed that those roles may benefit from a further and wider review in the future.
How will Pathology Collectors be reclassified?
Pathology collectors are currently listed as “indicative roles” for Levels 4, 5 and 6 in the support services classification structure of the HPSS Award. The Commission proposes the following reclassification and new criteria for pathology collectors:
| Support Services Classification |
Criteria for Pathology Collectors |
$ per week |
| Level 5 |
Entry Level
Unqualified and 1st year of industry experience
|
1067.30 |
| Level 6 |
Qualified
Certificate III; or
Equivalent training and experience and one year or more of industry experience.
|
1124.80 |
| Level 7 |
Experienced
Certificate III or equivalent training and experience; and
Four years or more of industry experience or required to work in a ‘single-staffed’ collection centre.
|
1145.00 |
As a result, pathology collectors would receive an award minimum wage increase between 1.8% to 10.9%.
What about Certificate IV qualified Pathology Collectors?
The Commission proposes that existing pathology collectors who hold a relevant Certificate IV qualification would be reclassified as a Level 7 support services employees.
How will Dental Assistants be reclassified?
Dental Assistants are currently listed as “indicative roles” for Levels 1, 2, 4 and 5 in the support services classification structure of the HPSS Award. In addition to setting out a reclassification proposal and corresponding new criteria at each level, the Commission has also provided an indication of how existing classifications would translate to the new classification structure.
Provisional Views: Operative Date and Phasing-in
The Commission has indicated that determination of an appropriate timetable for the phasing-in of the proposed work value increases will require additional consideration.
After having the opportunity to consider the provisional views of the Commission, interested parties are invited to provide the Commission with concrete modelling about the cost implications arising from implementation of the proposed changes to the HPSS Award (summarised above), and any proposals for phasing-in arrangements.
What if I am Concerned by the Proposed Changes?
It is important to emphasise that the proposed changes set out above represent the “provisional views" of the Commission. Prior to any determinations being issued, the interested parties that appeared in the proceedings will have the opportunity to make submissions. This provides some scope to advocate for adjustments and alternative approaches.
Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors (ABLA) will be participating in the next stage of the proceeding on behalf of Business NSW, Australian Business Industrial and Ageing Australia.
Should any ABLA clients or members of the identified employer associations wish to provide any feedback regarding the provisional views of the Commission, please feel free to contact us at info@ablawyers.com.au or 1300 565 846.
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