PCA 2024 Federal Budget Update for Pathology Workers 

Sadly we have been forgotten again. Why…. Our Sector does not make enough noise and the Trade Unions of Health Services Union, Health Workers Union and United Workers Union have spent millions of member funds advocating the “Change Aged Care” campaign that kicked off in 2020. The same time that Pathology workers were faced with the most unimaginable working conditions in Australia during the Covid Pandemic. 

Early Educated are another female dominated work group that won last night, they have been campaigning for better wages for over 10 years against a Liberal government. 

The speech that was delivered by Jim Chalmers should have seen Australian Pathology Workers see some relief as a focused group, we are the Australians that need the most relief.

DID AUSTRALIAN PATHOLOGY GET THEIR FUNDING?

(Direct Quote from the Budget Documents)

“The Government will provide $3.0 million over two years from 2024–25 and forgo revenue of $2.5 million over three years from 2025–26 through repealing the Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) Act 1991 and removing fees imposed on the pathology sector for certain accreditations”

This was nowhere near the $160 Million that they requested. Yet this is reasonable support considering the threat that these corporate grots threatened… Gap Fees, making Pathology Services out of reach for some Australians. 

This gives us more strength to campaign the Government into enforcing industrial improvements to this sector and to bring Australian Pathology to the table for a 9% Sector Wide Wage Increase. 

PCA will give Australian Pathology another opportunity to work with us collectively to improve the issues and if they agree to a 9% Wage Increase and other conditions, we will support campaigning for more responsible funding before we release the next campaign. Though our expectations of the offer being accepted is minimal. 

We now will start a large Public Campaign so that the Crisis that is happening in the Pathology Sector becomes unmanageable. We need more voices supporting our cause and more people joining in on the advocacy. If you are a Pathology Patient who relies on the Skills of your regular Phlebotomists (Pathology Collector) and want to be an active supporter, please contact PCA on info@pcaunion.com.au. If you are in the Pathology Industry, please join the PCA via our website for as little as $10 a month www.pcaunion.com.au