Australian Defence Force medics have received a pay increase and an improved career structure in a boost for health capability and recruitment.
A recent Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal decision means nearly all ADF medics have extra pay and a more standardised career structure across Navy, Army and Air Force.
Surgeon General ADF and Commander Joint Health Rear Admiral Sonya Bennett said the improvements were a timely boost to health capability.
"Our medics provide a significant contribution to health capability, and ADF medics now have a more defined career path, improved pay and increased opportunities to deliver their vital skills to the integrated force," Rear Admiral Bennett said.
"This outcome is the result of many months of tireless work across the three services and in Joint Health Command, and I was proud to be able to speak to our submission of how vital and valued our joint medic workforce is across all operational domains.
"A key improvement has been the expansion of direct-entry opportunities for civilian-qualified registered nurses, enrolled nurses and paramedics into the ADF medic workforce.
"This has the potential to greatly enhance participation, interoperability and understanding between the civilian and military health workforces, especially through the ADF Reserves.
"I am determined to strengthen the links between the Defence and civilian health systems to ensure Australia can deliver the health capabilities required by the National Defence Strategy."
'The medic workforce is the cornerstone of ADF health capability ... They are highly skilled and valued.'
Over the past decade, medics have been required to elevate their skills and knowledge in response to their increasingly complex working environment. The workforce has undergone a series of adjustments requiring adaptation to training, structures, casualty profiles and operational changes.
The new medic career structure seeks to standardise essential common skill training and pay grades for all ADF medics, while allowing for domain-specific requirements to be retained.
Director of Health Workforce Optimisation Group Captain Kath Stein said the introduction of new joint courses and/or recognition of equivalencies sought to achieve consistency in capability at various points throughout an ADF medic's career.
"The medic workforce is the cornerstone of ADF health capability; they provide health care in the most remote and austere circumstances and may not always work within a team environment. They are highly skilled and valued," Group Captain Stein said.
"The new ADF medic employment category sets out defined career paths including skill grades, pay grades and advancement triggers from medic through to medic manager across Navy, Army and Air Force.
"The new Joint Medic training continuum provides educational development at key career stages to build and enhance the skills knowledge and incorporate their experience as they develop from new entrant through to the experienced senior soldier, sailor or aviator.
"Medics are the frontline carers for our people; they are a unique capability that exists only within the military and are critical to our Defence health system. It's been very satisfying to see the ADF medic recognised and valued as they deserve to be."
To learn more about medic roles in the ADF, visit www.adfcareers.gov.au
