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New Nursing Occupational Award(03/02/2009) |
| A strong campaign by the Australian Nursing Federation, to retain nursing as an occupational award was vindicated by the decision of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) on 23 January 2009. The decision continues the important principle of nursing being based on skill and educational qualifications rather than the employment setting. |
Dear ColleaguesI am pleased to be able to advise you that on 23 January 2009 the Australian Industrial Relations Commission announced that it would make a new Nursing Occupational Award. A copy of the draft award is available athttp://www.airc.gov.au/awardmod/databases/health/Exposure/nurses_exposure.pdf In making this announcement, they consequently rejected the calls by a number of employer groups that nursing should be incorporated into generic industry awards covering areas such as aged care and private hospitals. The new nursing award will cover registered, enrolled and assistants in nursing in all employment settings other than nurses employed in secondary schools (not sure why this is). Apart from schools, this means that the minimum terms and conditions of employment for nurses will be based on skill, responsibility and qualification rather than the setting in which they may be employed. This is a significant victory for the nursing profession and, given the degree of opposition, this outcome could not have been achieved without the active support of organisations such as those under the CoNNO umbrella. The widespread support by nurses across a range of health and welfare settings, we believe, was fundamental to a successful outcome. On behalf of Ged Kearney, Federal Secretary, I would like to warmly thank you for your support in this campaign. Kind regards Nick Blake Senior Federal Industrial Officer. |
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