> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.bushletter.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 10,000 Victorian doctors to stop work on Thursday - URL: https://www.bushletter.com/10000-victorian-doctors-to-stop-work-on-thursday/ - Published: 2026-09-29T09:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-01T01:35:34.000Z - Description: Up to 10,000 Victorian public hospital doctors will stop work from 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm on Thursday 1 October, rallying at Parliament House over 84-hour rosters and 14 months of bargaining with no written government offer. Emergency and intensive care units are exempt from the stoppage. - Author: Editor - Tags: Health, Australia, AMA Victoria ![Caleb Reed](https://res.cloudinary.com/dz77sb7j1/image/upload/v1774262572/bushletter/authors/caleb-reed.png) By **Caleb Reed** ยท 2026-09-29 TLDR Up to 10,000 Victorian public hospital doctors will stop work from 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm on Thursday 1 October, rallying at Parliament House over 84-hour rosters and 14 months of bargaining with no written government offer. Emergency and intensive care units are exempt from the stoppage. ## Doctors to halt shifts and rally at Parliament Up to 10,000 Victorian public hospital doctors will stop work for four hours on Thursday 1 October. The strike will run from 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm. It is the first statewide strike in the sector's history. [\[1\]](https://tek.amavic.com.au/eba?ref=bushletter.com) A rally is scheduled for 3.30 pm on the steps of Parliament House. The state government has tabled no written offer in 14 months of bargaining since July 2025, across roughly 60 meetings and three health ministers. [\[1\]](https://tek.amavic.com.au/eba?ref=bushletter.com) Doctors have received no pay rise since March 2025\. [\[1\]](https://tek.amavic.com.au/eba?ref=bushletter.com) ## Rosters and fatigue driving the action Doctors are being rostered for 84-hour weeks. They frequently work longer when emergencies arise, leading to exhaustion and burn-out. [\[2\]](https://newshub.medianet.com.au/2026/09/exhausted-doctors-to-undertake-first-ever-statewide-strike-over-threat-to-patient-safety-as-victorian-hospital-crisis-worsens/173823/?ref=bushletter.com) ASMOF Victoria President Dr Roderick McRae said the decision was not taken lightly. "Our doctors do not take the decision to go on strike lightly. But the reality is they are being rostered on for 84-hour weeks and frequently work even longer when emergencies occur," Dr McRae said. "They are often completely exhausted and burnt out, with little opportunity to rest between shifts. The threat that this systemic fatigue presents to patient safety is simply unacceptable. That's why they've decided to take strike action this week." [\[2\]](https://newshub.medianet.com.au/2026/09/exhausted-doctors-to-undertake-first-ever-statewide-strike-over-threat-to-patient-safety-as-victorian-hospital-crisis-worsens/173823/?ref=bushletter.com) AMA Victoria President Dr Simon Judkins said unions want a 12.5-hour cap on shifts and at least three guaranteed days off every fortnight. "To ensure we can provide the best care for Victoria's patients, doctors are asking for a 12.5-hour limit to shifts and at least three guaranteed days off every fortnight to support proper rest and recovery. As other emergency services recognise, these basic measures are critical in managing fatigue and in keeping doctors and patients safe. We need the Carroll Labor Government to recognise that and come to the table with a reasonable offer in the interests of all Victorians," Dr Judkins said. [\[2\]](https://newshub.medianet.com.au/2026/09/exhausted-doctors-to-undertake-first-ever-statewide-strike-over-threat-to-patient-safety-as-victorian-hospital-crisis-worsens/173823/?ref=bushletter.com) ## Patient safety measures and government position Emergency departments and intensive care units are exempt from the stoppage. Staffing will be held above Saturday levels under the agreement between unions and health services. [\[2\]](https://newshub.medianet.com.au/2026/09/exhausted-doctors-to-undertake-first-ever-statewide-strike-over-threat-to-patient-safety-as-victorian-hospital-crisis-worsens/173823/?ref=bushletter.com) The action follows a planned 24-hour strike in mid-September. That strike was called off after a legal challenge by the Victorian Hospitals Industrial Association. Health Minister Ingrid Stitt said the government respects doctors' right to collectively bargain. She said the government is engaging in good-faith negotiations with AMA Victoria and ASMOF Victoria to address their concerns. [\[3\]](https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/parliamentary-activity/hansard/hansard-details/HANSARD-974425065-36763?ref=bushletter.com) The rally at Parliament House begins at 3.30 pm on Thursday 1 October 2026. KEY TAKEAWAYS 01Up to 10,000 doctors stop work from 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm on Thursday 1 October 2026. 02No written pay offer has been tabled after 14 months and roughly 60 bargaining meetings. 03Doctors have received no pay rise since March 2025 and face rosters of up to 84 hours a week. 04Emergency departments and intensive care units are exempt, with staffing above Saturday levels. 05Unions seek a 12.5-hour shift cap and at least three guaranteed days off per fortnight. SOURCES & CITATIONS 1. [AMA Victoria and ASMOF Victoria EBA campaign page](https://tek.amavic.com.au/eba?ref=bushletter.com) 2. [Exhausted doctors to undertake first-ever statewide strike, Medianet](https://newshub.medianet.com.au/2026/09/exhausted-doctors-to-undertake-first-ever-statewide-strike-over-threat-to-patient-safety-as-victorian-hospital-crisis-worsens/173823/?ref=bushletter.com) 3. [Victorian Parliament Hansard, Health Minister Ingrid Stitt, 8 September 2026](https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/parliamentary-activity/hansard/hansard-details/HANSARD-974425065-36763?ref=bushletter.com) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Which hospital services will still operate during the strike? Emergency departments and intensive care units are fully exempt. Unions and health services have agreed to maintain staffing above Saturday levels across those critical units. What are doctors asking for? A 12.5-hour cap on shifts and at least three guaranteed days off every fortnight, along with a pay offer from the government after 14 months without one. Why did the earlier 24-hour strike not go ahead? A legal challenge by the Victorian Hospitals Industrial Association and last-minute government intervention led unions to scale the action back to a four-hour stoppage to reduce patient risk. ![Caleb Reed](https://res.cloudinary.com/dz77sb7j1/image/upload/v1774262572/bushletter/authors/caleb-reed.png) [Caleb Reed](https://bushletter.com/author/caleb-reed/?ref=bushletter.com) Caleb Reed covers breaking news and sport. He works to the rhythm of a story as it unfolds, and he is happiest when the facts arrive faster than anyone can spin them.