Health Professionals at Healthscope can look forward to a total pay rise of an estimated $13,000 under a proposed new Enterprise Agreement (EA).

The Healthscope EA provides for three pay rises including backpay over the three-year term of the EA, with Health Professionals receiving:

• 2.75% backpay for the past year (from 1/9/2012);
• 3.00% from 1/9/2013; and
• 3.00% from the first pay period commencing on or after 1/9/2014.

For many VHPA members who are on the Grade 2 Year 5 pay point this will translate to around $2000 in backpay and an immediate rise in pay of $83 a week with a total rise of $128 from this time next year.

Over the life of the Agreement to September 2015, this will add up to an estimated extra pay of $13,000 for a typical VHPA member.

While it is regrettable that the negotiating process has been drawn out, the VHPA leadership felt strongly that the initial offer of a 7.5% total pay rise was inadequate and did not reflect what we believe Health Professionals at Healthscope warranted.

At a total of 8.75%, the final pay rise is 1.25% better than the original proposal. For the average full time Health Professional this represents an extra $2670 over the life of the Agreement – a significant improvement.

The VHPA has also achieved an increase to professional development entitlements as part of the EA.

While the VHPA has given in-principle agreement, the EA will now be subject to a vote by staff before it is certified and the pay rises can take effect.