VMO Arbitration: Modernising your VMO working conditions in NSW public hospitals
Technology and advances in medicine have changed the ways VMOs work, and where they work from.
Yet, Visiting Medical Officer terms and conditions have not changed since 2007 and many services – such as attending a hospital meeting online or reviewing a patient’s electronic medical record from home or another workplace – are not recognised or remunerated.
We know these modern ways of working benefit patients and reduce the stress on our already over-burdened health system.
And, we know your time, skills and knowledge are valuable and you deserve recognition and remuneration for the various ways in which you care for patients and their families
Support the VMO Arbitration Case
AMA (NSW) is representing Visiting Medical Officers in arbitration to modernise the VMO Determinations and secure fair and resonable remuneration that recognises the service VMOs perform across the public hospital system.
The last work value case for VMOs was heard in the early 1990s, and the last meaningful review of terms and conditions took place in 2007. This case is significant in both scope and importance, supported by survey data, witness statements from VMOs, and expert evidence including accounting and health economic analysis.
The costs associated with this case are significant. Please support the case for change by considering a donation to the AMA (NSW) Professional Freedom Fund. Donations are tax deductible.
VMO Arbitration FAQs
The VMO arbitration is a formal industrial process in which an independent arbitrator will consider evidence and make a binding determination on modernising Visiting Medical Officer (VMO) terms and conditions, including how work is recognised and remunerated in today’s healthcare environment.
The current VMO Determinations, which set the terms and conditions for Sessional and Fee-for-Service VMOs, have not been substantially reviewed since 2007. Arbitration provides an opportunity to update those arrangements to reflect contemporary models of care, including work supported by technology and services provided outside the hospital.
The matter has been listed for hearing before arbitrator Justice David Chin. The hearings are scheduled over April, May and June of 2026.
The arbitration proceedings are set to begin on April 7, 2026
The arbitration involves evidence from AMA (NSW) which includes the evidence of VMOs, an accountant and a health economist, and evidence from the NSW Minister for Health.
AMA (NSW) is seeking changes to the VMO Determinations that updates that could include:
- Recognising and remunerating services provided outside the hospital
- Fair pay for non-emergency work after hours and on weekends
- An on-call allowance for Fee-for-Service VMOs
- Payments for cancelled cases
- Updated incentives for regional VMOs
- Clearer provisions about private patient care in public hospitals and TMF cover.
The changes sought are not unique to VMOs. Successful outcomes could support broader industrial reform for doctors in the NSW public hospital system and strengthen workforce retention and attraction.
AMA (NSW) has asked the NSW Government to retrospectively pay sessional VMOs a 3 per cent increase for the 2024/25 year and this year. To date, the NSW Government has not agreed to do so. AMA (NSW) will continue to press the NSW Government in circumstances where VMOs have continued to provide high quality services and the path to arbitration was delayed due to the need to amendments to legislation, which AMA (NSW) requested very early on, and agitated for over many months.
Fee-for-Service remuneration is also under review, and AMA (NSW) is very conscious of the lack of clarity in VMoney about the rate at which VMOs are paid for the work they do. To date there has been no easy way through this, and it will be examined in the arbitration proceedings.
As the VMO arbitration progresses, AMA (NSW) will provide clear, factual updates to ensure VMOs are informed of key developments, hearing milestones, and what the process means for you and your patients.
- AMA (NSW) completed the service of its primary evidence in September.
- The Minister’s primary evidence and evidence in reply has been filed.
- AMA (NSW)’s evidence in reply was due on March 20, 2026 and submitted.
- The hearing commenced on April 7, 2026.
- The evidence concluded on June 12, 2026, with a site visit to Blacktown Hospital.
- In July 2026, AMA (NSW) and the Minister have filed and served their final written submissions, listed for hearing on August 4, 5, and 6, 2026.
