Bulletin 3 - negotiations update - issued 7 May 2026

Negotiations update

It is important that you are kept informed of the progress of bargaining and I am pleased to report that negotiations have been productive. Weekly meetings have been held between unions and bargaining representatives since the commencement of negotiations on 24 March 2026.

Constructive discussions have taken place between all parties, including the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, the Nurses Professional Association of Australia, representatives from my office, the Department of Corporate and Digital Development, and the Department of Health. These discussions have focused on the unions' log of claims and the employer's proposals.

Proposals that I wish to be considered include:

• A 4 year agreement to provide certainty and security of conditions, with an expiry date of 9 August 2030.
• Total package consistent with the Wages Policy, with increases to apply from 7 days after the agreement is approved by Fair Work.
• Initiatives that provide greater flexibility for the workforce.
• A focus on attraction, retention and professional development.
• New and improved leave provisions and conditions that align with the Northern Territory Public Sector 2025 - 2029 Enterprise Agreement as follows:
  • Supporting living organ donor leave - recredit of leave in line with national scheme.
  • Leave to engage in voluntary emergency management activities - expanded to cover preparation and planning (not just response and recovery).
  • Compassionate leave - provision to allow access to compassionate leave if on approved recreation leave (recredit recreation leave).
  • Personal leave - to include attendance at medical appointments (certificates of attendance to be treated as medical certificates).
  • Blood donor leave - expanded to include plasma.
  • Employee Assistance Program clause to include reasonable travel time to attend appointments.
  • Diversity and disability in the workplace - new clause to recognise and support these identified groups.
  • Safe and healthy work environment - include provision to prevent and address psychosocial risks in the workplace.
• Determinations and By-laws into the Agreement
  • Long service leave
  • Community language allowance.