Question - Part-time Doctors in Public Hospitals
Tuesday 23 June 2026
Ms ARMITAGE question to LEADER for the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Ms RATTRAY [2.59 p.m.]
With regards to doctors currently working in Tasmanian public hospitals, could the Leader please advise: (1) Were there any doctors who are working part time who have had their employment contracts not renewed?
(2) If so, how many? Could this advice please be provided indicating which hospitals and how many doctors from each of these hospitals? Obviously, I don't want their names.
(3) Is it correct that part-time doctors at Tasmanian public hospitals can apply to become permanent staff after 12 months of employment? If yes, are efforts made to ensure that doctors are aware of this?
(4) How many part-time doctors in Tasmanian public hospitals have applied for and received permanent positions?
ANSWER Thank you, Mr President, and I acknowledge the questions from the member for Launceston.
(1) Doctors employed in Tasmanian public hospitals may be engaged on either a permanent or fixed-term basis under the Tasmanian State Service Employment Framework. Both fixed-term and permanent employment arrangements may be on a part-time or full-time basis. Doctors often work multiple part-time jobs up to full-time work, so part time is often undertaken by choice or due to multiple employments.
(2) As of 31 May 2026, there are 1658 doctors employed within Tasmania's public hospitals. Of these, 1060 - 64 per cent - were full time; and 598 - 36 per cent - were part time. Of the part-time doctors, 372 - 62 per cent - were permanent and 226 - 38 per cent - were fixed term. It's important to note that fixed-term appointments are for a specific term or specified task. Doctors employed under these arrangements are not permanent employees. Decisions to renew fixed-term contracts are based on an assessment of service need and workforce requirements specific to the circumstances. There's a table in the answer and it outlines the fixed-term contracts of part-time medical staff that came to an end in line with the contract end date during the 12 months to 30 March 2026 and whereby the same doctor was not employed as of 17 June 2026. It's noted that this data also includes doctors who choose not to accept a new contract of employment. Hospital North, 6; Hospital South, 8; a total of 14.
(3) Fixed-term employees may become permanent via a recruitment process for a permanent role or via fixed-term to permanent conversion in line with Employment Direction No. 1, Employment in the State Service (ED1). Although ED1 provides a pathway for eligible fixed-term employees to seek permanent employment without taking part in a recruitment process, this is subject to relevant criteria and is not automatic. All applications for conversion from fixed-term to permanent employment are considered by the Secretary on a case-by-case basis against these criteria. When the ability for eligible fixed-term employees to seek conversion to permanent employment was introduced into ED1 in late 2024, this was communicated to all department staff. An application form is available on the department's intranet.
(4) During the 12 months to 31 May 2026, 44 doctors converted from fixed-term contracts to permanent positions. Fifteen were appointed to permanent full-time positions and 29 became permanent part-time employees.
