Structure of the ANMF (Vic Branch)
Resources for Job Reps
The work of ANMF (Vic Branch) is underpinned by our mission, purpose and values.
It’s important for Job Reps to understand the Branch structure and roles, in order to know the full scope of services we provide and share this knowledge with members in your workplace. Download our Mission, purpose and values [PDF]
ANMF (Vic Branch) structure - Roles within the Branch
Members of the ANMF include student nurses and midwives, personal care workers, enrolled nurses and registered nurses and midwives at all levels.
For members on primary carers leave there is a reduced special rate which enables them to access the full suite of services. This is particularly useful when members on primary carers leave are undertaking ‘Keeping in touch days’ and/or returning to work.
Nurses and midwives who are not currently practising nursing or midwifery, or are retired, are able to maintain ‘inactive membership’ at a reduced annual membership fee.
The rules of the ANMF (Vic Branch) determine our Branch structure, the duties of elected officials and the governing Branch Council.
The structure of the ANMF has expanded over the years to ensure members have a greater opportunity to participate in ANMF’s policies. This in turn ensures the ANMF:
- Maintains a structure which is truly democratic and participative
- Recognises, respects and responds to the needs and interests of members
- Is positioned to initiate industry reforms and improvements to wages and working conditions
- Is equipped to influence the development of progressive policies and attitudes regarding all aspects of our practice and the professional development of nurses, midwives and carers
- Can quickly and effectively respond when the rights of individual members are challenged
- Is well placed to accurately represent the needs, concerns and interests of nurses, midwives and carers across all sectors when seeking to influence a range of organisations, including:
- industrial commission
- local, state and federal governments and their departments
- political parties
- peak union councils
- educational authorities
- bodies governing and regulating our professions
- community and non government organisations who share similar values and objectives as our union.
Branch Council, Branch Secretary and Assistant Secretaries
As the highest policy and decision-making body, the Branch Council determines policy and directs the Secretary to facilitate the necessary actions to advance those policies, manage the services that are provided to ANMF members and to administer the day-to-day activities of the Branch.
The Branch Secretary and Assistant Secretaries coordinate the many functions of the organisation, including representation on external committees, working parties and taskforces. The Secretary oversees the activities of the Branch, including representation before the Fair Work Commission (on behalf of individual members or a collective of members), representing nurses and midwives in professional forums such as education, participating in establishing standards of care, and promoting the nurse and midwife role in the provision of health services. In addition, the Branch Secretary and Assistant Secretaries are responsible for the employment of ANMF staff.
Industrial relations organisers
Industrial relations organisers provide assistance and support to members within a designated region, including both metropolitan and regional locations. Organisers work directly together with Job Reps, members and management at the local level to assist in dealing with member issues. Several ‘relieving’ organisers are also employed to maintain seamless member services during periods of organisers’ periods of leave.
Where necessary, organisers also represent members on issues ranging from disciplinary processes, individual disputes such as underpayments or rosters, and group disputes through direct negotiations with management and employers in health agencies.
The role includes assisting and guiding members in pursuing or resolving incorrect payment of entitlements such as salaries, penalty rates and long service leave, workplace grievances, potential disciplinary action (relating to performance, behaviour or professional practice), alleged bullying, dismissal or other breaches of an enterprise agreement, award, or laws. They can also recommend referral to the ANMF lawyers on a member’s behalf.
Industrial officers
Industrial officers’ duties include conducting cases before the Fair Work Commission on behalf of individual or collective groups of members. A large component of an industrial officer’s work is negotiating, with employers, enterprise agreements, redundancy packages and disciplinary proceeding outcomes. They also manage and mentor industrial organisers.
ANMF (Vic Branch) industrial officers have extensive experience in the industrial relations field, and detailed knowledge of the industrial relations system and its relationship to the nursing and midwifery professions and the health industry.
Professional officers
ANMF professional officers address a wide range of issues relating to nursing/midwifery practice. They participate in committees dealing with nursing and midwifery codes, guides, standards or practice, and are involved in working parties and taskforces that investigate, address and implement changes in nursing, midwifery and personal carer practice.
ANMF (Vic Branch) professional officers have comprehensive nursing backgrounds and an appreciation of the current and future direction of the nursing and midwifery professions.
Maternity services and mental health nursing officers
These specialist roles provide elected officials and Branch staff with information and advice related to midwifery, maternity and mental health services, and operate on a statewide basis.
Graduate and final year support officer
The graduate and final year support officer aids and supports members in final year undergraduate nursing and midwifery programs and first year graduate nurses and midwives, working closely with other staff to assist these members with workplace issues. Support is provided with individual matters as well as broader workforce issues, such as trends in graduate employment. This officer coordinates and conducts orientation workplace visits, and the annual undergraduate student nurse/midwife study day.
Member Assistance
Member Assistance officers provide members with an inquiry service (currently only via our online form during COVID-19 restrictions), known as Member Assistance. Member Assistance officers respond to enquiries from members state-wide on questions relating to pay rates and entitlements, enterprise agreement compliance, staffing levels, OH&S, policy and professional issues.
Member Assistance officers have detailed knowledge of the relevant nursing, midwifery and personal care enterprise agreements and awards, and current issues in nursing and midwifery. Member Assistance also operates as a referral service to other ANMF staff.
Occupational health and safety officers
ANMF (Vic Branch) plays a pivotal role in occupational health and safety (OHS) matters relating to nursing, midwifery and personal care. The occupational health and safety unit coordinator and team of occupational health and safety officers develop and implement OHS activities and ensure that health agencies abide by relevant legislation for and on behalf of ANMF members. This team also assists Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) in the workplace by providing advice and training on OHS, bullying and harassment issues, WorkCover and rehabilitation, as well as delivers WorkSafe-accredited training.
The occupational health and safety officers must be familiar with applicable legislation and its implications for the nursing and midwifery professions. They also have knowledge of the variety of duties that nurses, and midwives perform and the context in which those duties are performed. They also assist industrial organisers and other ANMF staff with OHS issues.
Job Representative training officers
The Job Representative training team develops and conducts education programs and seminars. These face to face and online programs include an introductory program for new Job Representatives and a more advanced ‘Organising’ program conducted with the relevant workplace organiser. The team oversees a series of annual regional seminars for Job Representatives.
The Job Rep training team are also responsible for Job Rep participation in the Anna Stewart Project and the Belinda Morieson Project.
Program content is reviewed and regularly updated to meet changing union, industry and Job Rep needs.
Recruitment, events and marketing (REM)
The REM team are responsible for the development and implementation of member recruitment and retention strategies, and activities, as well as promoting ANMF services and benefits. This team also coordinates a variety of events hosted by the Branch, such as the Annual Delegates Conference.
Education Centre
The ANMF Education Centre conducts a range of specialist professional development programs for nurses, midwives and personal carers. The Education Centre has purpose-built classrooms and nursing simulation labs. This education is delivered to members at competitive rates/fees for members, and non-members are welcome to attend at a higher fee.
The Education Centre is also responsible for the ANMF CPD Portal which offers a range of online modules and case studies for nurses, midwives and personal care workers. Members receive an annual credit to use on the portal.
Library
The ANMF Library’s key function is to develop and administer a diverse collection of hard copy and digital resources for ANMF members, covering industrial, OHS, and professional matters, nursing and midwifery education and practice, current and historical activities of the Branch, the health industry and the industrial relations system. The Library is an integral component of the ANMF (Vic Branch) Education Centre, using technologies to access information in various formats and locations.
Communications and media
The communications and media team produces print, digital and multimedia content to convey information to members and provide forums for members to communicate to each other. Communication mediums include media, campaigns and events, the ANMF (Vic Branch) website, the Branch’s monthly digital publication and website On the Record (OTR) and quarterly magazine The Handover, regular e-newsletters to members, and social media.
This team also produces a range of recruitment and campaign materials, professional and industrial brochures, booklets and reports for distribution to members.
Administrative and IT Staff
The Branch’s administrative staff are essential to the work of the organisation and are responsible for reception; management and maintenance of the membership data base and subscriptions; Information technology; files and records; accounts and payroll, Branch offices in metropolitan Melbourne and throughout regional Victoria, human resources expertise, and assisting staff, elected officials and the Branch Council carry out their duties for and on behalf of ANMF members . IT staff provide direct support to Branch staff including regional organisers.