Have any questions? Call us: Carter Capner Law monitors workplace accidents throughout Australia to spotlight safety issues of concern to our clients and to demonstrate those situations in which they may have a right to an insurance or compensation recovery. We act for workers and contractors throughout Australia. Call today on 1300 529 529 or click here to reach Carter Capner Law.
Introduction
Junior doctors in Tasmania have filed a major class action lawsuit against the state government, alleging systemic wage theft at the Royal Hobart and Launceston General Hospitals. The case claims years of unpaid and unrostered overtime, highlighting concerns about fatigue, fairness, and patient safety across the state’s public health system.
Allegations of Unpaid Overtime
Lead plaintiff Dr Emily Mackrill, who worked as an intern and resident medical officer at Launceston General between 2019 and 2021, alleges she frequently performed unpaid overtime across departments including general surgery, oncology, renal, obstetrics and gynaecology.
Another former doctor, Dr Eibhlinn Cassidy, now working in Victoria, echoed the claims:
“Many of us have worked excessive hours without pay, often late into the night, to ensure our patients are cared for. This isn’t about seeking extra money. It’s simply about being paid for the hours we’ve worked.”
The lawsuit alleges breaches dating back to May 2019 and continuing to the present.
Scope of the Class Action
The action, filed in the Tasmanian Supreme Court, argues that junior doctors can “regularly” work 15 to 25 per cent additional hours each week without compensation. Lawyers involved say the practice not only breaches entitlements but also creates unsafe levels of fatigue, increasing risks of clinical mistakes.
Junior doctors in NSW, Victoria and the ACT have already launched similar lawsuits, recovering hundreds of millions of dollars in unpaid wages. This case could establish a precedent in Tasmania.
Government Response
A spokesperson for the Tasmanian Department of Health said the department was committed to paying “all valid entitlements owed, including excess time”:
“All claims that are submitted with supporting evidence will be processed.”
The spokesperson noted that a new workplace agreement introduced in 2022 covered leave, breaks, overtime, and flexible arrangements for doctors.
Potential Compensation
It is too early to determine how much the class action could be worth, but lawyers have indicated payouts could range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands, depending on the doctor’s level of seniority and length of employment.
The claimants say the ultimate goal is not only financial justice but cultural change within Tasmanian hospitals.
Conclusion
The lawsuit reflects growing unrest among junior doctors nationwide who argue that hospital management systematically ignores or denies overtime. For Tasmania, the case could become a flashpoint in the state’s health system, forcing the government to reckon with long-standing concerns about staff welfare, fatigue, and patient safety.