NSW public psychiatrists to receive interim 20 per cent pay rise as Minns Labor government refuses to match nurses' wage demands

Public sector psychiatrists in New South Wales will receive a 20 per cent pay bump amid ongoing wage negotiations across the healthcare sector.

The Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation had sought a 25 per cent rise from NSW Health and the Health Secretary at the state's Industrial Relations Commission.

They argued current remuneration awards do not reflect the demands of psychiatric practice, after protests earlier this year saw hundreds vow to leave their workstations.

IRC Justice David Chin sided with NSW psychiatrists and the Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation in his ruling on Friday.

He accepted specialist staff psychiatrist’s arguments that low pay had contributed to declining patient care standards.

“There is an acute shortage of psychiatric staff specia