Bulletin 3 – bargaining update – issued 2 December 2025
Negotiations update
Negotiations for the new NTPS Medical Officers Enterprise Agreement have been progressing well since bargaining commenced in September, with weekly meetings held between the Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation (NT) (ASMOF) and their delegates; and representatives from the Department of Health, Department of Corporation and Digital Development, and my office.
ASMOF provided their log of claims in October and the parties have been working constructively through them to gain a shared understanding of the matters raised. Representatives from my office have also recently outlined the employer proposal for a new agreement, which fall within the NTPS Enterprise Bargaining Policy 2025 – 2028 (Wages Policy).
Discussions on the claims and proposals are being held with a shared focus on ensuring workplace conditions continue to support a capable, committed and sustainable workforce, which also acknowledge the vital contributions Medical Officers make to the Northern Territory.
The parties have also been exchanging draft clauses on the claims and proposals, and I have advised ASMOF that I remain committed to making a formal offer for a new agreement in the coming weeks.
Details of the proposal
The employer proposal recently discussed in negotiations included the following key improvements:
- A 4-year agreement to provide certainty and security of conditions including a total package consistent with the Wages Policy.
- Introduction of simplified salary spine reducing the current 66 classifications to 31, with no reduction in overall salaries.
Harmonisation and simplification of similar type allowances
To assist simplify the agreement it is proposed to combine the following existing allowances:
- Regional and Remote Attraction Allowance (paid fortnightly); and the Regional and Remote Retention Payment (lump sum) – for Staff/Senior Staff Specialist and Rural Medical Practitioners.
After 12 months continuous service, the above two payments will be combined and become one fortnightly allowance - Regional and Remote Attraction and Retention Allowance.
- Rural Allowances – combined for Senior Staff Specialist and Senior Rural Medical Practitioners.
Service delivery improvements
- Extended hours benefit payment to be expanded to include Rural Medical Officers; and commitment to work with ASMOF to consider changes that may affect Revenue Activity Incentive Payments under the Medicare reforms, and enabling Senior Rural Generalist trainees to access this payment.
- Restrictive duty trial – Work with ASMOF to conduct a trial of alternative restrictive duty models.
Streamline and improve operational and administrative processes
- Automatic salary progression after 12 months equivalent full-time service.
- Vocational Rural Generalist Trainee and Rural Generalist/Senior Rural Generalist may be employed in all Territory hospitals.
Improved leave provisions
A range of improvements to leave including for plasma donations, organ donations, leave to engage in voluntary emergency management activities, personal leave, compassionate leave and additional recreation leave accruals (for Medical Officers with more than 5 and 10 years of service).
Maintaining strong existing conditions
The NTPS continues to offer some of the most generous conditions in Australia which are above the National Employment Standards, which will be maintained under the new Agreement. These include:
- recreation leave – up to 9 weeks per annum depending on years of service
- personal leave – 3 weeks per year
- parental leave – Up to 18 weeks for the primary caregiver and 2 weeks partner leave
- defence service leave – 4 weeks per year (6 weeks in the first year)
- domestic, family and sexual violence leave – Unlimited
- foster and Kinship Carer Leave – 10 days paid, 10 days unpaid
- compassionate Leave – 3–5 days de pending on circumstance
- cultural and ceremonial leave – 5 days unpaid
- kinship obligation leave – up to 5 days paid.
Determinations and By-laws into the Agreement
Current long service leave provisions and community language allowance improvements will be included in the Agreement.
Fair Work Act compliance
New and improved clauses to reflect recent changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 including:
- right to disconnect
- casual employment
- management of change
- individual flexibility arrangements
- dispute settlement procedures
- fixed term contract provisions.
Clarity on current conditions
Several clauses in the Agreement to be updated to provide better understanding and consistent application of terms and conditions of employment, including for:
- office bearers and representatives leave
- sabbatical leave for Senior and Rural Medical Officers
- attraction and retention allowance for correctional centres
- excess travel time for travelling to remote communities.
It is also proposed to remove the current accident allowance provisions which are covered by other entitlements such as personal leave or workers compensation.
Next steps
My Office will continue to have productive meetings with ASMOF to ensure an offer providing fair pay and improved conditions within the Wages Policy is made before the current Agreement expires.
Thank you for your continued commitment to delivering high-quality services to the people of the Northern Territory.
Have your say – your feedback is important
Should you wish to provide feedback during this process, you can do so by email to enquiries.ocpe@nt.gov.au.
More information
Regular updates in relation to the bargaining process will be posted on this website.
Information on bargaining in general can be obtained on the Fair Work Commission website or you can contact the Fair Work Commission information line on 1300 799 675.
Nicole Hurwood
Commissioner for Public Employment