News
Pathologist permanency offers to resume under new arrangements
Monday May 12, 2025
Following sustained advocacy from the AMA (WA), WA Health has now confirmed the pathway forward for pathologists and dual-trained physicians affected by the permanency transition process.
In 2024 the AMA (WA) raised concerns about practitioners previously paid under the Pathologists Agreement 2022 who, due to service changes, work in both clinical and specialist roles. We have sought to preserve pathology-level remuneration for this cohort despite the shift in duties.
WA Health, through System-wide Industrial Relations (SWIR), has now advised the following:
Recruitment under the Pathologists Agreement
Effective immediately, appointments under the Pathologists Agreement 2022 may only be made where the practitioner is employed by PathWest to provide pathology services. This aligns with the scope of the Subsidiary Agreement.
Practitioners no longer within the scope
Senior practitioners currently receiving Pathologists Agreement rates but no longer employed by PathWest or performing pathology duties:
- Will receive offers of permanency under the terms of the WA Health System – Medical Practitioners – AMA Industrial Agreement 2024 (the Parent Agreement), subject to meeting eligibility criteria;
- Grandfathering arrangements apply: These practitioners will continue to receive Pathologists Agreement salary or sessional rates for ordinary hours under the permanent contract, until 30 September 2028; and
- All additional entitlements, such as shift, weekend, and public holiday penalties, on-call and recall payments, will be governed by the Parent Agreement.
Option to remain on fixed-term contracts
Practitioners may choose to decline offers of permanency and remain on their existing fixed-term contracts. In doing so, they may retain any current entitlement to Subsidiary Agreement rates for the duration of the existing contract. However:
- Any future appointments, whether permanent or fixed-term, must comply with the relevant industrial agreements (i.e., employment as a Pathologist for PathWest for Subsidiary Agreement rates).
Timeline for transition
The transition to permanency must be completed by 30 September 2025, in line with the expiry of the Public Sector Commissioner’s Instruction No. 42: Interim Arrangements to Fill Vacancies at WA Health.
We strongly recommend that you seek advice from the AMA (WA) Industrial Relations team before signing any new contract, to ensure you have been offered the correct contract. If you have questions or would like to discuss your situation, please contact us at industrial@amawa.com.au.
