Resident medical officers
The ASMOFQ Team provides workplace relations support for all doctors working in the public health system, including residents and registrars. Our core business is lobbying State and Federal Government decision-makers to ensure doctors have a safe, fair and equitable working environment.
We offer representation for resident medical officers (RMOs) and registrars during award negotiations, industrial disputes and issues of public health policy. We fight to improve and maintain the working rights and conditions of doctors employed in the public health system.
Research has shown us that RMOs often face difficulties in the workplace such as:
- claiming overtime due to workplace cultural issues;
- difficulty accessing professional development leave (PDL) entitlements due to unclear processes or insufficient resources;
- workplace bullying and harassment; and
- uncertainty about entitlements.
To support residents and registrars, AMA Queensland has established the Council of Doctors in Training (CDT), which is run by junior doctors for junior doctors, specifically advocating for the issues which junior doctors face.
The CDT, in partnership with ASMOFQ, works with the various Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) to develop appropriate policies and guidelines to deal with these issues and others facing junior doctors.
Early career is a crucial time for all doctors working in the public health system to develop an understanding their workplace rights, responsibilities and entitlements. AMA Queensland and ASMOFQ residents and registrar members have the peace of mind in knowing they can access free, unlimited access to our Workplace Relations Team.
If you are experiencing problems within the workplace or you are unsure of your entitlements, please contact the Workplace Relations Team on (07) 3872 2222 or email asmofqld@asmof.org.au.
Your current industrial entitlements are covered under the:
MOCA 5, why it matters to you as a junior doctor
In 2018, ASMOFQ negotiated the new certified agreement (MOCA 5) with Queensland Health for doctors in the public system. Key wins for RMOs include:
All Medical Officers
- 2.5% pay increase per annum;
- New entitlement for two 10-minute paid rest pauses in the first and second half of the day, with ability to take the two pauses together to form a 20-minute paid break; and
- New Digital Recall payments.
Resident Medical Officers
- Over 39% increase in Professional Development Allowance (from $1,575.93 to $2,200 per annum in year one);
- Over 39% increase in Vocational Training Subsidy (from $2,626.50 to $3,670 per annum in year one);
- 60% increase in Professional Development Leave (from 5 days to 8 days per annum);
- 100% increase in Examination Leave (from 2 days to 4 days per permissible occasion);
- New entitlement for up to 3 days' travel time for rural and remote doctors accessing PDL; and
- Accrued Professional Development Leave to be preserved for 25 months, if a Medical Officer leaves the health service.
ASMOFQ is constantly seeking to improve RMO entitlements via the Review of Resident Medical Officer Employment Arrangements Committee within clause 1.17 of the MOCA 5.