NSW government to give paramedics record pay increase

The NSW government will give paramedics a record 25 per cent pay increase on average over four years in a record wage increase after a lengthy wage dispute.

The new agreement between the government and Health Services Union (HSU) means 5000 paramedics will receive an increase of between 11 per cent and 29 per cent, once the Industrial Relations Commission confirms the award.

It comes after weeks of intense negotiations and numerous strikes from HSU members this year.

READ MORE: Scientists uncover surprising phenomenon in the Himalayas slowing the effects of climate change

A threatened boycott of professional registrations, which would have prevented thousands of paramedics from working from New Year's Day, has also been averted.

"The half-a-billion-dollar four-year agreement will be partially funded from the Essential Services Fund and savings from the health portfolio including through savings associated with recruitment challenges," the joint statement from Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, Health Minister Ryan Park and Industrial Relations Minister Sophie Cotsis said.

"In delivering professional rates, our first priority is to retain our existing paramedics while still delivering critical increases in paramedic numbers where they are needed most."

It means paramedics will go from being some of the lowest paid in the country to some of the highest paid.

According to the HSU, the base pay of critical care paramedics will increase from $98,390 to $127,261 while the base pay of a specialist year three paramedic will increase from $90,711 to $117,328.

HSU NSW secretary Gerard Hayes welcomed the agreement.

"Our paramedics are highly skilled professionals who exercise fine clinical judgement under incredible stress," he said.

"Their work saves lives. Finally they will be paid for it."

The pay rises will be phased in from January 1 until July 2026.