Junior Doctors Class Action on Unpaid Overtime
HOURS WORKED MUST BE PAID - THIS IS NOT UP FOR NEGOTIATION OR INTERPRETATION
Tasmania's junior doctors pursuing legal action over unpaid overtime highlights an issue that goes to the heart of fairness, safety, and the outdated and dangerous culture of respect in our health system.
Patients need to know that the doctors who care for them are also cared for — by being appropriately paid, supported in their work, and treated with respect.
The AMA welcomes this action and commends the courage of these doctors for standing together to uphold a fundamental principle: all workers must be paid for the hours they work.
We are proud to stand united as doctors, supporting our colleagues and advocating for safety, fairness, and respect.
We know that when we stand together, we are heard, and that change happens.
AMA Tasmania has consistently advocated for safe working hours and fair remuneration across the state, which has resulted in an improvement in overtime being approved.
Overtime processes must include safeguards for fairness and accountability. But those safeguards must never be misused to discourage legitimate claims or to perpetuate a culture where junior doctors feel they must "prove themselves" by working unpaid or unsafe hours.
Gone are the days when junior doctors are expected to work long hours to prove their dedication.
These practices harm morale, risk patient safety, and undermine recruitment.
Young doctors are not cannon fodder — they are highly trained professionals in the midst of a demanding career journey. We are shocked that even now, some face significant roadblocks to claiming overtime. This must stop.
Budget pressures are never an excuse to deny payment for work done. Some tasks can safely be handed over — but others cannot at the time. Staffing and supervision must be aligned with patient demand and safe working hours principles.
Excessive need for overtime is a sign that a system is under-resourced for the number of junior doctors required to follow through on all elements of patient care. Unsafe rostering and excessive unpaid hours put both staff and patients at risk.
AMA Tasmania will always back our members. We encourage any doctor affected to speak up. As Tasmania actively recruits the 2026 doctor-in-training workforce, the Tasmanian Health Service must demonstrate safe, fair, and supportive workplaces.
Thankfully, progress has been made since then, but ensuring the morale of our doctors is protected and strengthened must remain a priority.
AMA Tasmania will continue to fight for and protect our members' workplace rights. We support these doctors undertaking the class action in pursuing their right to be paid for the work they performed within the Tasmanian health system.>>>>ENDS
