Thank to everyone who has signed in support of Private Pathology workers being paid a wage of value so we can address the Staffing and Skills Crisis affecting the Australian Pathology Sector. Today, we have written to the Federal Health Minister, Mark Butler, to pressure him to intervene and meet with The Phlebotomists Council of Australia and its members to hear how bad the Crisis is. 

Dear Minister Butler,

We write today in response to your correspondence dated May 21st, addressing the concerns we raised about the deteriorating working conditions, lack of wage growth, and insufficient service availability in the Private Pathology sector.

Since 2021, we have alerted you and your department to the horrific conditions within the Private Pathology sector, conditions reminiscent of the pre-industrial reform era of the 1980s. We are shocked that these companies qualify for Medicare, a taxpayer-funded scheme, based solely on NPAS accreditation. While we appreciate the current review by the Commission for Health and Quality in Healthcare, it highlights the blatant disregard for NPAAC Accreditation Standards, WHS Codes of Practice, and the Fair Work Act by the Private Pathology sector, particularly those represented by Australian Pathology. Their “Keep Pathology Bulk Billed” campaign misleadingly suggested that bulk billing would end without public support, masking their true aim of reindexing pathology tests.

Despite our appeals to both you and Jim Chalmers to withhold funds until these companies meet their employer obligations and pay their employees fairly, the government succumbed to their pressure:

"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."

Pathology workers in Australia are fed up with the Labor Government's support for those causing the staffing and skills crisis in our sector. We are ready to take action.

The Phlebotomists Council of Australia has been fighting a David and Goliath battle, growing despite considerable odds. The ACTU-supported trade unions have attacked us at the EBA bargaining table rather than advocating for better worker rights, much to the employers' delight. Employers bully our members because they fear educated employees. We are participating in the Fair Work Commission’s Gender Undervaluation Review for our Federal Award, but we lack the legal support and multiple staff that trade unions enjoy. Additionally, we will continue to participate in the NPAAC review, though changes won’t come into effect until 2025, which is too late.

Attached is our 2024 Pathology Worker Satisfaction Survey, revealing shocking figures:

- 84.4% are suffering financial hardship due to no wage growth.
- 94.4% do not believe their role is fairly remunerated.
- 33% will stay in the sector without a 9% pay rise; the rest are likely to leave.
- 56.7% do not hold the formal qualifications required for their role.

Without a sector-wide wage increase and enforcement of a 9% wage increase or alignment with State Sector wages, we will continue to face critically low staffing and skills levels in Private Pathology. We urge you to meet with The Phlebotomists Council of Australia and some of our members to hear firsthand how dire the situation is on the frontline. We also call on you to coordinate discussions with Australian Pathology and support our call for a 9% wage increase, utilising the Commonwealth support provided in this year’s Federal Budget.

We will prepare a detailed submission to the government, advocating for a comprehensive reform of the Australian Pathology sector to free it from the control of ASX-owned companies. While we may not have all the answers, we believe a government-led reform, with input from all stakeholders, is essential for moving forward post-COVID. One idea supported by the PCA is to tender for outpatient Medicare services, encouraging Private Pathology to become an employer and provider of choice.

We have launched a campaign to raise awareness among referring doctors, our professional colleagues, and Australian Pathology patients. These are the people who understand the value of Pathology Workers in Australia and will support our call for fair wages instead of allowing ASX-owned companies to profit from Commonwealth funds.

We look forward to your prompt response and your commitment to addressing these urgent issues.

We ask that you continue to share this Petition with your network, your Doctor, your friends and family and continue to bring this disgusting situation of unfairness into the Federal spotlight! 

Thank you!