Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2020 PNZ Remuneration Survey, run by independent agency Research New Zealand and in-field from 22 July to 12 August. A research summary is below and full report available here.
This year’s survey was completed by 947 PNZ members, who self-reported their remuneration for the tax year ending 31 March and answered questions to understand the impact of the initial COVID-19 alert levels (from late March to August 2020).
With data compared to previous years, this information helps PNZ to update members on remuneration across the profession and make decisions about the services that are of most help. It also supports our advocacy work on behalf of members.
To complement the additional COVID-19 questions, data on the delivery of physiotherapy services was obtained from ACC. This allowed the member-reported impact of COVID-19 alert levels to be matched with ACC information.
Overall, survey responses show that average gross remuneration has increased from last year for members working both full and part-time. However the report also indicates a remuneration gender gap, professional burn-out and an ongoing impact of COVID-19.
Please note that member-reported remuneration was completed in relation to the 2019/20 financial year. It therefore does not account for the impact of COVID-19, as the initial COVID-19 alert levels were in place from the end of March 2020 which was the end of the 2019/20 financial year.
Key Points
- Average gross full-time and part-time earnings reported by respondents increased from 2019. For those working full-time this increased to $77,916 from $70,814. Reported part-time average gross earnings increased to $47,840 from $42,717.
- Although overall reported earnings have increased there is a gap between females and males. The average gross full-time earnings reported by male survey respondents is $8,796 higher than those reported by females. Responses indicate there is a similar remuneration gap between males and females working part-time (noting a relatively small number of part-time male survey respondents).
- Roughly one-third of survey respondents self-rate as burnt out. However most indicate they will remain in the profession and recommend physiotherapy to others, with only 4% identifying they will change careers in the next 12 months.
- Many practices report that they did not operate in COVID-19 Level 4 (34%) and Level 3 (26%) but were either partially (41%) or fully (56%) operational in Level 2. Most (98%) then report that they were fully operational in Level 1, although total hours and pay were not fully reinstated.
Actions
- While it’s great to see full and part-time remuneration up on last year, PNZ continues to advocate for increased funding of physiotherapy. This includes discussions with Government agencies drawing from the Physiotherapy for New Zealand report and positioning statement. A briefing has also been prepared for the incoming Minister of Health to prioritise the profession.
- Partner at EY, Una Diver, spoke at the 2019 PNZ Business Symposium on pay equity. In her presentation Una noted that addressing pay equity requires a number of steps starting with a review of current pay practice from the lens of gender pay. The PNZ Executive is aware of the gender pay gap indicated in the remuneration survey and PNZ Office is working on how this can be reviewed in more detail within our business plan.
- Insights regarding burn-out indicate there is an opportunity to better support members. The 2019 PNZ Workforce Retention Research identified areas of focus on to help retain talented physiotherapists in the profession, including developing strategies to monitor, prevent, and manage workplace stress. We’ll be identifying how PNZ can help businesses with this, in context of the current PNZ Support for Business Owners work.
- With modelling suggesting that COVID-19 management will be ongoing into 2021, we are continuing to monitor the impact on members. The 2020 PNZ Member Survey has questions on operating in alert level restrictions from August to October, which combined with remuneration survey data will inform PNZ’s ongoing advocacy work and member services.
Previous Reports
Please also read the reports from previous remuneration surveys below.
Page updated October 2020