ACT Ambulance Service union members have long advocated for roster changes for paramedics. Photo: Transport Workers’ Union.
A new paramedic roster designed to increase staffing levels and better manage fatigue has finally been agreed to between the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and the ACT Government.
The TWU has advocated for a new roster for ACT Ambulance Service (ACTAS) paramedics for the past three years.
Under the old roster, paramedics worked two 14-hour night shifts and two 10-hour day shifts over four days and then had four days off.
This has now changed to a 44-hour roster, meaning paramedics will work two-day shifts, one afternoon shift and one 10-hour night shift over four days.
The new roster was initially promised to begin in July 2022. The date was then moved to November 2022 and July 2023.
TWU ACT official Ben Sweaney said the roster announcement was “desperately needed”.
“Paramedics welcome the reform, which will provide greater work-life balance and enhance training and development opportunities,” he said.
“The roster reform represents the best outcome of the parties’ negotiations and is long overdue.”
To ensure the new roster is a success, an additional 11 paramedic crews will be rostered on over a 24-hour period.
An extra 30 paramedics have already been funded, and the total number of new paramedics in 2024 will reach 30 later this year.
The ACT Government said this would improve fatigue management practices and create a better work-life balance for paramedics, which means ACTAS is better placed to meet community demands for ambulance services.
It’s hoped this will mean meal breaks are accessed more regularly and there will be less need for paramedics to work overtime.
Rostered resources will also cover training and development requirements, and operational resourcing flexibility will be increased.
“Our paramedics and our ambulance service perform a vital role in our community, responding to those in need when and where they need help most,” Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mick Gentleman said.
“This improved roster will better enable our paramedics to meet those needs while supporting their wellbeing and professional development.”
Changes will be made to the ACTAS enterprise agreement to accommodate the new roster. Negotiations have occurred for several months and are believed to be in the final stages.
As part of the 2023-24 Budget Review, the ACT Government is allocating $19.7 million over four years to facilitate the new roster.
“Additional funding to increase the number of paramedics on the road will ensure our teams are equipped to meet community demand,” Chief Minister and Treasurer Andrew Barr said.
“Frontline workers play an integral role in the safety of our community and we thank them for their continued commitment to providing essential services.”
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