Here’s an update on a few of the issues AMA Victoria is working on for members, including:

• Supporting Victorian doctors’ mental health and wellbeing
• WorkSafe engagement and opportunities for feedback
• Update: Health response to alleged incidents in childcare centres.
   

Advocating for action on Victorian doctors’ mental health and wellbeing

This week, AMA Victoria and ASMOF Victoria wrote jointly to the Victorian Health Minister to call for stronger measures to protect doctors’ mental health and wellbeing.

The letter shared findings from AMA Victoria’s recent Doctors’ Mental Health Survey and the ASMOF National Doctors’ Survey 2025. Together, the results paint a deeply concerning picture of unsustainable demands, chronic understaffing, and workplace cultures that too often leave doctors unsupported or fearful of speaking up.

In the AMA Victoria survey, 84 per cent of doctors reported that long hours and excessive workloads are negatively affecting their mental health. 91 per cent said duplication and inefficient processes are undermining morale, reinforcing the concerns that underpin our Get Rid of Stupid Stuff campaign. Only 22 per cent felt their workplace was sufficiently staffed to support mental health, and just over half said they could access leave entitlements without difficulty.

The ASMOF national survey revealed that only a quarter of doctors across Australia felt comfortable reporting workplace issues without fear of reprisal, and fewer than 5 per cent believed hospital budgets were managed in line with clinical need. Trainees were especially likely to experience disrespect and a lack of support. Many described a culture where retribution is so common that colleagues simply “suffer in silence.”

As we noted to the Minister, while some pressures are inherent in delivering complex healthcare, the scale of these issues shows that Victoria’s hospitals have not yet achieved psychologically safe environments or adequate systems to respond to clinicians’ concerns. Without meaningful change, we risk losing valued doctors to burnout, career exits, or worse.

In our letter, we urged the Government to take decisive action, including stronger resourcing to alleviate chronic understaffing, clear and trusted processes for reporting and resolving workplace issues, practical reforms to cut back duplication and red tape - such as those identified through our Get Rid of Stupid Stuff initiative - and targeted efforts to build cultures of respect and psychological safety across the health system.

We have requested a meeting with the Minister to discuss how we can work together to create a system that truly cares for those who care for Victorians. Members who wish to share their experiences or suggestions to help inform this advocacy are encouraged to email Lewis Horton at [email protected].
 

WorkSafe engagement and opportunities for feedback

AMA Victoria recently met with WorkSafe to progress our Get Rid of Stupid Stuff (GROSS) initiative, focusing on ways to cut low-value administrative burden in the WorkCover system.

The discussion covered several areas where bureaucratic requirements currently create, or have the potential to create, unnecessary workload for clinicians, including restrictions on hand therapists, mental injury certification rules, and duplication of paperwork.

One issue raised was the restriction that prevents occupational therapists accredited in hand therapy from issuing Certificates of Capacity, even though physiotherapists can do so. This rule forces extra appointments, delays care, and adds pointless red tape. AMA Victoria has recommended more practical arrangements that recognise equivalent credentials.

New requirements for GPs to certify mental injury diagnoses using DSM-5-TR criteria were also discussed. Many GPs are not formally trained in applying DSM classifications and often don’t have reliable access to the manuals. Clearer guidance and more flexible options are needed to ensure patients can get timely support.

Other concerns included reports of requests to reissue certificates over minor administrative details, and instances of straightforward claims not being approved in a timely way (such as clear work-related wounds). In some situations, patients have been left to pay out of pocket while waiting for decisions, only for payments to then be sent to the practice instead of the patient, creating extra work for practices to resolve.

WorkSafe indicated that there is scope for reform and that there will be opportunities to address these issues over time.

As part of this work, AMA Victoria is gathering feedback from members on any aspect of the WorkCover system that could be improved - whether it involves forms, processes, or broader policy and legislative issues. This input will guide our advocacy and ensure the experiences of treating practitioners are front and centre in discussions with WorkSafe and government.

Members are encouraged to share their experiences or suggestions by emailing Lewis Horton at [email protected].
 

Update: Health response to alleged incidents in childcare centres

Last week we shared information with members about the public health response to the Victoria Police investigation into a number of alleged sexual assaults linked to an employee who worked at multiple childcare centres across Melbourne. This included guidance on testing, contact tracing, and support available to families.

There have been no further significant developments at this stage. AMA Victoria continues to monitor the situation and remains available to assist members with any questions or concerns.

Should further updates arise, or sufficient member interest emerge, we will look to arrange an information session in conjunction with the Victorian Department of Health. In the interim, members with questions, concerns, or feedback - including about testing, reporting obligations, available supports, or any other relevant matters - are welcome to email Lewis Horton at [email protected]. We will coordinate a response with the Department as appropriate.