It’s been a tense week across Victoria’s hospitals. From emergency departments to aged care wards, thousands of healthcare workers have walked off the job — frustrated, exhausted, and demanding long-overdue change.
Healthcare Workers Demand Fair Pay and Better Conditions
The Victorian Allied Health Professionals Association (VAHPA) has confirmed that more than 2,000 public sector healthcare workers have joined strike action after negotiations with the state government broke down. The workers, which include physiotherapists, dietitians, speech pathologists, and social workers, say they’ve been left behind compared to their medical and nursing colleagues.
Their demands include a 6.5% annual pay rise, improved staffing ratios, and better recognition for their critical work during the pandemic. Many have also raised concerns about burnout and understaffing, saying patient care is suffering as workloads become unmanageable. Union representatives argue that these workers, often described as the “backbone” of the healthcare system, have faced stagnant wages while dealing with rising living costs.
The State Government’s Response
The Victorian government has urged workers to return to the negotiating table, saying it remains committed to reaching a fair deal. Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas acknowledged the essential role allied health professionals play but said the government must balance wage demands with the state’s broader budget challenges.
Talks have been ongoing for months, but the VAHPA says little progress has been made. The union plans to continue industrial action until a new enterprise bargaining agreement is secured. This includes work bans, shorter shifts, and refusing to complete non-essential paperwork — actions designed to apply pressure without compromising patient safety.
Patients Feeling the Strain
While emergency and essential services remain operational, the strike has already caused delays across outpatient clinics and community health centres, reports 9News. Patients in rehabilitation, mental health, and physiotherapy programs have reported cancellations and rescheduled appointments. Some hospitals have brought in temporary staff to maintain operations, though unions insist that the disruptions highlight deeper issues that have been ignored for too long.
A System at Breaking Point
The strikes come amid broader concerns about Victoria’s healthcare system, already stretched by record demand, staff shortages, and budget constraints. Health experts warn that unless pay and conditions improve, more skilled workers will leave the public system — worsening an already critical situation. For now, the protests show no sign of slowing. As one placard outside a Melbourne hospital read: “We care for you — now care for us.”
