EHMBA Endorsement Vote Survey

EHMBA Endorsement Vote Survey

Friday 20 March, 2026

As part of the HSU’s sweeping award reform project, members across NSW Health won increased minimum breaks between shifts – from 8 hours to 10 hours.
 
This increase in rest time between shifts forms an important part of your pay rise and improvement in conditions for the years 2025 & 2026. It gives greater protection to workers from the health and safety risks posed by ongoing fatigue - a serious issue made worse by having inadequate breaks between shifts.
 
The HSU also recognises that there are rare circumstances where rosters with 8-hour minimum breaks between shifts have been beneficial to workers. In these cases, the HSU and NSW Health management are able to enter into an agreement to maintain those rosters – called an Eight-Hour Minimum Break Agreement (EHMBA).  
 
Your management have made a request for an EHMBA to cover your department. This means that you will have shift breaks of less than ten hours. In order for the EHMBA to be approved the majority of affected workers must vote in favour. 
 
You can read the EHMBA request here
 
The HSU is run by members, for members. Please let us know what you think about the request and cast your vote by completing the survey linked here. The vote is open from Friday 20 March to Thursday 26 March.

    • Related Articles

    • Union win now in effect: Increased minimum break between shifts!

      Tuesday 3 March, 2026 As of this week, all workers covered by HSU awards will see an increase in the minimum break between shifts from 8 hours to 10 hours. Union members won this improved right in last year’s pay and conditions negotiations. Outside ...

    • Blue Mountains Lab Roster Changes at NSW Health Pathology (NSWHP)

      Thursday 5 March, 2026 NSWHP has notified the HSU of proposed changes to shift times at Blue Mountains lab. This is your opportunity to have a say on how this affects you. The proposed change would allow for the roster to align with the new ...

    • Breaks – Questions, Tips, and Initial Advice

      Breaks – Questions, Tips, and Initial Advice Summary Most Awards and Agreements set minimum meal and rest breaks based on hours worked. Breaks may be paid or unpaid and should generally occur at predictable times in a shift. Issues often arise where ...

    • 10-hour Break Following Overtime at Hugh Cunningham Gardens

      Wednesday 4 March, 2026 HSU members at RSL Lifecare Hugh Cunningham Gardens have raised concerns about not receiving the full 10-hour break after working overtime. Your Enterprise Agreement clearly outlines your entitlement to overtime payments when ...

    • 10-hour break between shifts at Arcare Aranda

      Thursday 12 March, 2026 HSU members at Arcare Aranda have raised concerns about not receiving the full 10-hour break between rostered shifts and after working overtime. Your Enterprise Agreement clearly outlines your entitlement to overtime payments ...