After extensive consultation with members, we have finalised our claim for a revamp of the Dietitians structure which will be served on the DHS and VHIA today. Our negotiating group will meet with them on Monday to begin discussions. The key features of this claim are:

(i) Definitions

• Dietitian Grade 2         Adds a provision for a dietitian who is a sole practitioner in a CHC or the sole dietitian employed in a health service.

• Dietitian Grade 3         Adds a provision for a Community Health Senior Clinician and Community Health Team Leader. Extends the current definition of deputy (to a Grade 4) to cover a dietitian who assumes the responsibilities of a Deputy but who is not appointed as such.

• Dietitian Grade 4         Expands the definition to include “Community Health Centre Manager” and Deputy to a Grade 4B.  Also covers a dietitian who assumes the administrative role of Deputy to a Grade 4B but who is not appointed as such

• Dietitian Grade 4B       Provision of a merit-based definition.

 (ii) Groupings 

Dietitian 4B The following health services have been added to the current list as they meet the proposed 4B definition:

Northern Health

Melbourne Health

St. Vincent’s Health

Southern Health

Eastern Health (Central East)

Eastern Health (Outer East)

(The current list is Austin Health, Bayside Health, Barwon Health, Peninsular Health, RCH, Western Health) 

Groups 1 & 2

• A number of health services have been added to Groups 1 & 2 to recognize current realities.

(iii)                New Classifications

Director of Allied Health and Deputy Director of Allied Health have been added.  

(iii) Rates of Pay

• The 4B rate has been aligned with the Principal Scientist rate in the Medical Scientists Award

• The Director of Allied Health rate has been struck at the Scientist Director rate.

• The Deputy Director of Allied Health rate has been struck at the Scientist Deputy Director rate.

This claim offers many potential benefits to dietitians which are long overdue. The enhancements sought do no more than seek recognition of the expanding role of dietitians in public health services for which many are not being fairly remunerated. However as the Government has already advised us that it wants to dismantle the dietitians career scale by scrapping the grouping system altogether, we will need the very strong support of members to progress these negotiations. 

Dietitians are a crucial part of this campaign. We would urge you and your colleagues to participate in campaign meetings which will commence in the near future. We would also ask that you inform non-members in your workplace of the Union’s claims for dietitians and encourage them to join the Union.