Health · Healthcare & Policy · 1 hr ago
Mater to cut more than 400 pathology jobs in Queensland
Mater will outsource pathology services at hospitals in Brisbane and Springfield, Queensland.
The change will affect more than 400 full-time, part-time and casual staff over the next 12 to 18 months.
Mater says rising costs and Medicare subsidies that have not kept pace made its internal service difficult to sustain.
Services will move to specialist providers, including Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology and Pathology Queensland.
More than 100 positions are expected to go before Christmas, with most of the remaining job losses due in 2027.
Mater says patient care will continue without disruption, and the Queensland government says it will explore redeployment opportunities where possible.
The transition will unfold over the next 12 to 18 months, while future employment decisions will be up to the external providers.
Mater will outsource pathology services at its Brisbane and Springfield hospitals, affecting more than 400 staff, according to ABC Australia.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Mater confirmed 400 full-time and casually employed staff would lose their jobs.
The transition is expected to take 12 to 18 months, with more than 100 positions ending in the next two months, ABC Australia reported.
Mater blamed rising costs and Medicare subsidies that it says have not kept pace with financial pressures.
The new services will be delivered by specialist providers, including Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology and Pathology Queensland.
- Who
- Mater staff in its internal pathology unit. The reports say more than 400 staff will be affected; the Sydney Morning Herald reports 400 job losses.
- What
- Mater is outsourcing pathology services at its Brisbane and Springfield hospitals, with hundreds of jobs to go.
- When
- The transition is expected to take 12 to 18 months. The announcement was reported on November 2 and 3, 2026.
- Where
- Mater’s Brisbane and Springfield hospitals in Queensland.
- Why
- Mater said Medicare subsidies have not kept pace with rising delivery, workforce and property costs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
ABC Australia reported that Mater had announced the pathology changes.
More than 100 positions are expected to be lost, according to ABC Australia.
Mater’s internal pathology unit is to be progressively transitioned to external providers.
Most of the remaining positions are expected to end, according to ABC Australia.
- Affected staff
- More than 400, according to ABC Australia; 400, according to the Sydney Morning Herald
- Hospitals
- Mater’s Brisbane and Springfield hospitals
- Transition period
- 12 to 18 months
- External providers
- Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology and Pathology Queensland
- Initial job losses
- More than 100 positions in the next two months, according to ABC Australia
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What people are saying
Mater has made the difficult decision to transition from operating Mater Pathology to a new pathology service model
This decision is not a reflection on their capability, professionalism or commitment.
We do need the Commonwealth to step up to make sure that the Medicare rebate does actually cover the cost of delivering those services.