Victoria Police to introduce a landmark nine-day fortnight

Victoria Police has agreed to introduce a landmark nine-day fortnight for frontline cops, with members set to gain “more money, more days off and better rosters”.

Victoria Police has agreed to introduce a landmark nine-day fortnight for frontline cops as part of a $500m deal to end its long-running pay dispute.

The in-principle agreement, signed on Friday afternoon, came just hours before a pause on industrial action by police was set to end.

Under the agreement Victoria Police will gradually phase-in the introduction of nine hour shifts by 2028.

It means police will be entitled to an extra 22 days off a year.

They have also secured a 16 per cent pay rise over four years, which includes the addition of two new allowances and a transition to predictable rostering.

Based on latest available figures the deal is expected to add at least $129m to the force’s annual $3.2bn wages bill.

It is also expected to bolster the hopes of firefighters, nurses, transport workers and paramedics who all remain locked in ongoing pay disputes with the government.

In an email to members on Friday the Police Association of Victoria said the proposed agreement had received the unanimous endorsement of elected representatives and the union’s board.

It will now be put to a vote of members.

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton was opposed to the model. Picture: Jason Edwards

“Members are set to gain more money, more days off, better rosters and guaranteed corro days, while eliminating free labour at the beginning and end of every shift they work, under an in-principle agreement reached between The Police Association and Victoria Police,” it said.

“This achievement is yours. It is the culmination of your resolve, persistence and patience.

“Big reforms don’t happen quickly or without effort. Together we have achieved what some have said was impossible.

“We previously rejected the government’s initial offers to you. We would not bring this in-principle agreement to you if we did not think it was worthy of your endorsement.”

The new rostering model was at the centre of the bitter and protracted pay dispute for almost a year with force command raising concerns about its practical implementation.

Police are being promised more money and more days off. Picture: Sarah Matray

The new rostering model was at the centre of the bitter and protracted pay dispute for almost a year with force command raising concerns about its practical implementation.

But the Police Association said the non negotiable change was critical to addressing burnout and unpaid overtime.

Chief commissioner Shane Patton vehemently opposed to the model, warning it would risk community safety.

Mr Patton, who postponed an overseas holiday to continue negotiations this week, warned police that internal modelling had shown a move to nine hour shifts – when applied solely to regional uniformed members up to the rank of senior-sergeant – would require an additional injection of police at an estimated cost of $1.548bn.

“The reality is this proposal would seriously undermine our capacity to keep the community safe and further burden our already stretched resources,” Mr Patton told officers.

Police were warned the move would force the closure of stations and take more than 2,000 cops off the beat.

The Allan government was privately supportive of shifting to the new model.

The Police Association said the non negotiable change was critical to addressing burnout and unpaid overtime.

A Victoria Police spokesman said a staggered approach would be used to ensure public safety while providing “additional days off for hardworking police.”

“We have agreed to a phased approach. This will see a three-step progression towards nine-hour, nine-day fortnight rostering for police over the four years of the agreement,” the spokesman said.

This would involve the introduction of eight-hour and 20-minute shifts April 1 next year followed by eight-hour and 34-minute shifts from October 2026.

Nine-hour shifts would be in by no earlier than January 1, 2028 and no later than a year after that.

“Pleasingly, we now have an agreed pathway to deliver extended shifts to our members within the requirements set out in the deed signed by Victoria Police, TPAV and the Victorian Government in December last year,” the spokesman said.

“This phased approach means the community should be assured Victoria Police will have time to conduct the rigorous analysis and planning needed to ensure community safety is not impacted as extended shifts are gradually implemented.

“We have also agreed in principle regarding all other aspects of the enterprise agreement and will now work with TPAV to finalise this.”

Police minister Anthony Carbines said: “We thank Victoria Police and The Police Association of Victoria for their ongoing work to bargain in good faith and establish a new Agreement that is in line with the Government’s wages policy.”

“This new deal builds on the record investment we have put into Victoria Police, with more than $4.5 billion to recruit over 3,600 officers and deliver the infrastructure and technology they need.”

“Community safety has been at the forefront of these negotiations — the new Agreement will ensure Victorians continue to be well-protected and that our hardworking police get the recognition and flexibility they deserve for keeping everyone safe.”