Empowering workers for a brighter future

With 51,000+ members across NSW, ACT and QLD, you’re in good company!

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Welcome to the HSU

The HSU is a specialist union that covers members working in public hospitals, ambulance, aged care, allied health, private hospitals, imaging, pathology and disability care. With 51,000 members across NSW, ACT and QLD, you’re in good company!

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HSU: 50,000 members strong

The HSU is a strong fighting union, and we forcefully advocating for health and aged care workers at a local, state and national level.

We come together to identify the issues, bring hope to workers that we can achieve better, and act – standing up collectively to make the change we need.

Nowhere are these principles better exemplified than in the outcomes HSU members have won together: massive, life-changing changes to pay and career structures, improving our society not only for workers but for the community who relies on them.

But these outcomes don’t come easily. It takes a lot of people to put their shoulder to the wheel. This year, the HSU hit an historic milestone of 50,000 members – and we’re not slowing down!

Workers are flocking to our union because of what it stands for: the audacity to advocate for a better health system and the knowhow to back it up.

One of the HSU’s strengths is our incredible diversity and experience.

We welcome members from almost every area of health, aged care and disability.

That means HSU members can speak authoritatively about what happens at every level, and what should happen. Our members aren’t just workers – they’re workplace leaders.

One of the reasons for this incredible momentum is that we still have so much left to do. Let’s continue to dream and advocate for a better future.

Gerard Hayes, HSU Secretary 

READ MORE: Unified Magazine

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WE DID IT! HSU aged care workers did it!

In March, the Fair Work Commission approved – in what is already being hailed as a landmark decision – wage increases of up to 28.5 per cent across the aged care sector!

This is a massive win for a workforce that for too long has been disrespected – facing insecure work and poor pay that didn’t reflect their professionalism, skills or dedication.

Direct care workers will receive between 15 per cent and 28 per cent. This is inclusive of a 15 per cent pay rise awarded to workers in Stage 1 of the HSU’s Work Value Case.  

Indirect care workers such as laundry hands, cleaners, and food services assistants will receive a pay increase of 6.96 per cent. This is made up of their classification being increased from Level 2 to Level 3 in the Aged Care Award structure and a pay increase of 3 per cent. Other indirect care workers will receive a pay increase of 3 per cent.

Read more: HSU's Change Aged Care campaign 

'A crisis is coming': How the HSU Work Value Case came about

 

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HSU technical officers and hospital scientists united, fought for and won a new entitlement and pathway for TOs to be correctly classified as a Hospital Scientist.

This is a major win for technical officers and only came about because HSU members came together and stuck to their guns.

NSW Health fought tooth and nail to keep underpaying degree qualified scientists performing essential work in the health system. They tried every trick in the book but failed.   

But the fight's not over! Many hospital scientists and technical officers still have conditions and pay that don’t match their skills or experience. 

It's only through award reform - shaking up NSW Health's outdated award structure - that we address this undervaluation once and for all.  

 

HSU Win! Technical Officer pathway to Hospital Scientist
 

 

 

 

 


SUCCESS

HSU PARAMEDICS WIN HISTORIC PAY DEAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


HSU paramedics have secured a historic 29 per cent pay rise, standing up to the NSW government and declaring it was high time NSW paramedics stopped being the country’s lowest paid and most injured.
On 13 December, HSU paramedics overwhelmingly accepted the NSW government’s pay offer - which came about after thousands made the decision to refuse to renew their professional registration in protest.
Paramedic members are advised that with the acceptance of this pay offer, there is no longer a reason to maintain the registration boycott.
When we unite, we win.

READ MORE

MEDIA

GERARD HAYES' MESSAGE TO HSU PARAMEDICS

Read HSU submission to Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding (NSW)

Did you know that one third of the NSW state budget goes into NSW Health? That’s a whopping $33bn per year.

Thousands of HSU members have told their stories about wastage in NSW Health. The HSU has now reported this in our submission to the Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding (NSW).

A key recommendation is this: Undertake a national review of the pay and conditions in the healthcare workforce. Because we can’t have a world class healthcare system without health workers.

Bottlenecks, over-servicing, waste – these are all concerns that need to be dealt with. The Special Commission has the authority to subpoena documents and scrutinise expenditure to root out where the issues are.

And we can share our vision of what Health should look like: a well-paid workforce where community and preventative health has a strong part to play, and universal healthcare is upheld and supported.

READ THE HSU SUBMISSION HERE

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Why join the HSU?

Being a union member is one of the best decisions you can make in your working life.

If you work in health, aged care, or disability services, there's never been a better time to stand with 50,000 workers across NSW, ACT & QLD in the fight for better wages and conditions for all health workers! 

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HSU members are what makes our union special and strong

It's the active involvement of HSU members that determines our direction and whether we succeed or fail.

Are you an existing member? Need some help or guidance, or keen to become more involved in the Union? Or are you an activist or delegate searching for more resources?

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