Queensland's nurses and midwives have voted overwhelmingly—about 85%—to accept a landmark $1.8 billion pay deal after a 10-month dispute, marking their largest wage increase since 2012.

This agreement will see their pay rise by 11% over three years, making Queensland nurses and midwives among the highest paid in Australia, surpassing initial union demands of 13%.

The deal exceeds the government's initial offer of $900 million, representing a significant improvement for healthcare workers.

Included in the agreement is over $38 million in back pay, and the deal will be reviewed by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission for certification.

This pay deal is an Australian first, setting a new precedent for public sector negotiations.

Queensland's nurses and midwives are expected to soon surpass Victoria, where a 28.4% wage increase is anticipated to be approved by November 2027.

A pioneering feature of the deal is the introduction of double-time pay for all shift workers' overtime, a first in Australia.

During the dispute, approximately 45,000 workers participated in industrial action, marking the first major strike in over two decades.

Union support and collective bargaining played a crucial role in securing this historic outcome.