Thousands of doctors across Victoria’s public hospital system will walk off the job for four hours on Thursday, October 1, in the first statewide strike of its kind in 20 years. The action, from 1.30pm to 5.30pm, escalates a months-long dispute over pay and safer workloads after 14 months of negotiations failed to produce a written offer from the state government.

Emergency departments will be exempt and hospitals will be staffed above Saturday levels, with emergency surgeries going ahead. Doctors are demanding 12.5-hour shift limits and at least three guaranteed days off each fortnight, alongside a pay rise the union puts at 30 per cent over four years.

AMA Victoria and ASMOF say fatigue and 84-hour weeks are putting patient safety at risk. Health minister Ingrid Stitt said the government was working through the demands in good faith and that patient care remains the priority. A previous plan for a 24-hour stoppage on September 15 was blocked by a Fair Work Commission application citing patient safety concerns.