Public hospital doctors staging four-hour strike on Thursday 1 October

Doctors at public hospitals in Victoria will hold the first statewide strike action in the sector on Thursday 1 October, with a four-hour stop-work period from 1:30pm to 5:30pm. They plan to rally outside Victorian Parliament, citing unsustainable working hours, fatigue and concerns about patient safety. Emergency departments will be exempt, and staffing is expected to remain above Saturday levels. Eastern Health said it is assessing staffing impacts after being notified of participation, while acknowledging protected industrial action rights and aiming to maintain safe care. ASMOF Victorian president Dr Roderick McRae said doctors have been rostered for 84-hour weeks, often working longer during emergencies, and negotiations have continued since July 2025 involving three health ministers. Doctors must notify services by midday Monday to participate.