Queensland Paramedics Secure 8% Pay Rise in Landmark Agreement
The news spread through ambulance stations across Queensland like a rapid dispatch call. More than 6,700 frontline Queensland Ambulance Services staff—a dedicated group including paramedics, patient transport officers, and Emergency Medical Dispatchers—had cast their vote on the new Certified Agreement. The result was clear: an overwhelming 85 per cent of those balloted voted in favor of the deal.
The Honorable Tim Nicholls, Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, confirmed the successful outcome, stating that the Crisafulli Government was committed to delivering health services when you need them by ensuring the workforce is valued and respected. “We are proud to reward our hardworking paramedics, patient transport officers and Emergency Medical Dispatchers with increased wages,” Minister Nicholls announced, promising that these frontline heroes will receive their pay rise by Christmas Eve.
The new agreement secured a well-deserved wage uplift for the employees. Staff will receive an eight per cent increase to wages and allowances over three years, structured as 3%, 2.5%, and 2.5%. Additionally, the agreement includes the potential for supplementary wage increases through a CPI Uplift Adjustment if it is triggered.
Beyond the pay packet, the Certified Agreement reflected a strong focus on staff wellbeing. Acting Queensland Ambulance Services Commissioner Ray Clarke emphasized that as the service grows and evolves, staff’s wellbeing and safety must be at the heart of what the QAS does. The new deal includes additional staff wellbeing measures.
Key features of the agreement are designed to support the diverse needs of the frontline workers:
- It introduces allowances to recognize staff working night shifts.
- It includes attraction and retention incentives for those working in rural and remote locations.
- The Crisafulli Government’s offer also features initiatives specifically designed to further support frontline staff to finish work on time, wherever possible.
Key features of the agreement are designed to support the diverse needs of the frontline workers:
- It introduces allowances to recognize staff working night shifts.
- It includes attraction and retention incentives for those working in rural and remote locations.
- The Crisafulli Government’s offer also features initiatives specifically designed to further support frontline staff to finish work on time, wherever possible.
The process now moves forward swiftly, with the QAS preparing to seek an expedited certification hearing in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission to ensure the increases are delivered as quickly as possible.
Looking ahead, the Crisafulli Government is investing significantly in the future of the QAS. The 2025-26 record Health Budget is delivering more than $1 billion for the service. This historic investment includes funding for more paramedics and marks the first multi-year uplift for critical ambulance infrastructure since 2008-09. These efforts are part of a broader strategy aimed at getting ambulances back on the road sooner and reducing ambulance ramping to below 30 per cent by October 2028.
For the thousands of dedicated QAS officers, the delivery of the promised pay increase just before Christmas Eve represents not only a monetary reward but a formal recognition that their service is valued and respected.
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