To: The Victorian State Government
End the Pay Gap for Social Workers and Occupational Therapists in the Public Mental Health System
Social workers and occupational therapists often have position descriptions that mirror those of nursing colleagues, working in the same teams, caring for the same patients, and carrying equivalent responsibility and risk.
Yet many experienced allied health clinicians currently earn up to $15,000 less each year than more junior nurses, and this gap will grow to $25,000 per year by 2028.
The Fair Work Commission has recognised the historic undervaluation of allied health professions. Now it's time for Victoria to act.
Fair pay means recognising our skills, retaining experienced clinicians, and strengthening patient care.
It's time to value wage equality for social workers and occupational therapists who work side by side with their mental health nursing colleagues.
Yet many experienced allied health clinicians currently earn up to $15,000 less each year than more junior nurses, and this gap will grow to $25,000 per year by 2028.
The Fair Work Commission has recognised the historic undervaluation of allied health professions. Now it's time for Victoria to act.
Fair pay means recognising our skills, retaining experienced clinicians, and strengthening patient care.
It's time to value wage equality for social workers and occupational therapists who work side by side with their mental health nursing colleagues.
Why is this important?
Every day, social workers and occupational therapists stand alongside nurses in Victoria's public health system.
We work in the same hospitals.
We care for the same patients.
We respond to the same crises.
We help people recover, stay safe, and rebuild their lives.
We work in the same hospitals.
We care for the same patients.
We respond to the same crises.
We help people recover, stay safe, and rebuild their lives.
Yet we're still paid less.
The Fair Work Commission has recognised that allied health professions have been historically undervalued because they are female-dominated professions.
Now it's time for Victoria to act.
Now it's time for Victoria to act.
Equal pay isn't about asking for more than we deserve.
It's about recognising the value of the work we already do and if things don't change and the Victorian Labor government doesnt provide pay parity with our mental health nursing colleagues, 97% of social workers and occupational therapists will leave the public mental health system.
It's about recognising the value of the work we already do and if things don't change and the Victorian Labor government doesnt provide pay parity with our mental health nursing colleagues, 97% of social workers and occupational therapists will leave the public mental health system.
Social workers support people through mental health crises, family violence, child protection concerns, homelessness, trauma, palliative care, and complex discharge planning.
Occupational therapists help people regain independence after injury or illness, prevent hospital readmissions, support rehabilitation, identify support within the NDIS and enable people to live safely at home.
These aren't "extra" services, they're essential healthcare.
When experienced allied health professionals leave because they can earn more elsewhere, patients wait longer, services suffer, and communities miss out.
We need the Victorian Government to deliver:
- Pay parity with our nursing colleagues where we perform equivalent work and responsibilities.
- Fair recognition of the skills, qualifications, and value social workers and occupational therapists bring to public healthcare.
- A workforce that can attract and retain experienced clinicians.
This isn't just about workers.
It's about protecting the future of Victoria's public mental health system for consumers, carers and their families.
If you believe every essential mental health professional deserves equal recognition for equal value in the public mental health system, add your name.
It's time for pay equity for social workers and occupational therapists.
How it will be delivered
In person at parliament house
