The NSW Government reached an interim pay agreement with public hospital doctors on 5 February 2026, aimed at addressing chronic staffing shortages in regional centres including Broken Hill Base Hospital. The announcement coincided with more than 1,000 new medical graduate interns commencing the 2026 clinical year across NSW.
A key part of the package is the REACH: Med 40% regional medical loading — a 40% regional incentive/loading for eligible doctors who accept roles in designated areas such as the Far West. The interim agreement also delivers immediate pay increases: a 3.5% rise (inclusive of 0.5% superannuation) applied retrospectively from 1 July 2024 and a further 3.5% (inclusive of 0.5% superannuation) applied retrospectively from 1 July 2025, an effective 7% increase with backpay.
The loading is intended to make permanent positions in places such as Broken Hill more attractive and reduce reliance on costly fly-in, fly-out locum doctors. Broken Hill has historically relied on locums for a substantial share of its workforce — background reporting and briefings have put locum usage in regional hospitals at notably high levels (reported ranges include about 23–38%) — contributing to fragmented care for local patients.
Minister for Health Ryan Park said: “This agreement gives doctors a pay rise now, whilst allowing a pathway for ASMOF’s remaining award claims to be determined by the NSW Industrial Relations Commission.” The government says the deal also includes enhanced protections against fatigue, including mandated minimum rest periods between shifts and a maximum 14-hour rostered shift length for non‑specialist medical officers.
The Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation NSW (ASMOF NSW) and the Health Services Union NSW (HSU NSW) accepted the interim offer after negotiations and industrial action in 2025. The government intends that the combination of targeted regional loadings and improved working conditions will attract more permanent medical staff, improve continuity of care in regional hospitals such as Broken Hill, and reduce reliance on expensive short‑term contractors.
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