Overview

• Vice president David Chin of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission awarded a temporary 20% increase for public hospital psychiatrists for 12 months.
• The package combines a new 10% recruitment and retention allowance with a re‑purposed 10% onerous duties payment already in place.
• The commission found lower pay contributed to an acute shortage that is degrading care quality and worsening working conditions.
• Dozens of psychiatrists have left since mass resignations were tendered, with many moving to locum or visiting roles and vacancies remaining high.
• Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson has said the decision will be implemented, though no specific budget allocation has been set and the allowance is framed as a stopgap to be absorbed into broader workforce deals.