Industrial Commission Grants Status Quo on Transfer of Care

December 2025

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian Branch (ANMF) lodged a dispute with the Tasmanian Industrial Commission regarding the proposed decrease in the Transfer of Care timeframe to 45 minutes, citing unreasonable workloads and concerns for staff and patient safety.

ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary Emily Shepherd said the matter was heard by the Tasmanian Industrial Commission President late on Friday, 12 December, due to the urgency, as a result of the proposed change due to take effect on Monday, 15 December.

“The Commission President stated that the status quo would apply and noted that the ANMF, supported by the AMA, had a genuine dispute,” Ms Shepherd said.

“The ANMF raised multiple concerns with respect to a decrease in the transfer of care timeframe.

“We noted the significant increased workload for members in the ED and also right across the State’s public hospitals — but importantly, the risk to patients who are now routinely cared for in corridors, ambulance air locks, waiting rooms, or in chairs outside the kiosk, as is the case at the Mersey Community Hospital.”

Ms Shepherd said there is no doubt all parties agree ambulances and paramedics need to be in the community.

“But as the President rightly identified, the additional patients need somewhere to go, and even with the 60-minute offload, on a regular basis there is nowhere for them to go.

“The President also noted that improved access and flow were needed to even consider a reduced timeframe to 45 minutes, particularly with Royal Hobart Hospital only managing to offload patients within 60 minutes around 60% of the time, and the Launceston General Hospital ED being 60 nursing staff below minimum safe staffing levels.”

Ms Shepherd said the ANMF and its members genuinely want to ensure that all patients accessing care in the ED, irrespective of their mode of transport, get care according to acuity and that the sickest patient gets the next bed.

“Members also want to ensure all patients receive timely care, and that requires all parties working together and the department to consider the access and flow initiatives that the ANMF has suggested.”

Ms Shepherd said the TIC outcome requires the Transfer of Care Working Group to be reconvened prior to Friday, 19 December, to consider the additional matters the ANMF has raised with respect to access and flow.

“The ANMF is required to report back to the Commission by Monday, 22 December, on the outcome.

“Should the matters not be progressed, the status quo will remain until the matter goes to arbitration in the New Year.”