19: ACT Health Employee Reviews

Although ACT Health has several different departments/areas with a multidisciplinary workforce, it is generally known for its competitive and bullying culture especially among its management. Further, there is very little support for employees who are victims of bullying although there is the free employee assistance program (EAP) offered to all public servants seeking counselling services. The hardest part of the job is work-life balance, particularly for nurses on the wards as they are often required to work on a rotating roster of shifts that are outside normal work or school hours. Nurses in this organisation are often not free to choose the shifts that are suitable for them and face poor chances of promotion unless they work full time and have good relationships with managers/key people. For this reason, those who wish to study or who have care-giving roles are better off working casually which improves work-life balance but limits career development. In my opinion, the most enjoyable part of nursing is interacting with people from diverse backgrounds and being able to make a real difference in their lives through the care I give them.

Pros

job security, decent salary

Cons

inconvenient work hours

Was this review helpful?

Toxic workplace that values chaos and politics over caring for people

Executive Officer (Former Employee) - Woden ACT - 31 January 2021

I lasted 17 weeks at the ACT Health Directorate and I would never work there again. Red flags from day one in relation to blame culture, complete lack of mature leadership, zero value placed on skills and experience - jobs for mates! - and total absence of emotional intelligence at the higher levels. I'm amazed that more people haven't died because of the incompetence and unprofessionalism displayed by 'managers' at the Directorate. No accountability. This workplace is run like a dictatorship. Like consultation? Forget it.You won't be asked before resources are reallocated but make no mistake, you will be raked over the coals when deliverables aren't met. I was disgusted by my experience and can only hope that an external agency is brought in to review and completely restructure this shameful excuse for a public office.

Pros

None whatsoever.

Cons

Culture, expectations, lack of accountability and professionalism. This place will end up killing someone.

Was this review helpful?

Not a supportive work culture

Allied Health Professional (Former Employee) - Woden ACT - 15 March 2020

Management look to cover up problems not solve them, and are happy to work staff members into the ground. Under- staffing and unsupportive management create's a 'every- man for himself' vibe in the team. No debriefing system in place for inpatient mental health nurses, many showing signs of PTSD and some saying they felt scared walking into the ward everyday. ACT Health does not value their staff. Salary is ok but doesn't cover the additional responsibilities or overtime as a result of staff shortages.

Was this review helpful?

Fast paced

Data Analyst/Report Developer (Current Employee) - Canberra ACT - 1 March 2020

Data area is fast paced as I work with all kinds of data requests. Working here helped me understand various aspects of data. I have got opportunity to work with different internal and external stakeholders .

Pros

Salary packaging

Cons

Fast paced

Was this review helpful?

Very relaxed environment with a compassionate and effective management

Business Analyst (Former Employee) - 3 Bowes Street, Philip - 20 November 2019

I had an excellent year of work at ACT Health where they gave most of the privileges of a permanent employee in spite of being a contractor plus top payment. Great Work Life Balance. Plus, when I collapsed at work, the whole staff did everything to save my life and I am still alive and well to be grateful to ACT Health. THANK YOU ACT HEALTH

Was this review helpful?

Rate your recent company

Share your experience to help others

Bad culture, poor staff retention rate, under staffs

Health professional (Former Employee) - Canberra ACT - 29 August 2019

No royalty to current staffs - when it’s time to renew contract, they offer positions to external applicants who they believe are better for the jobs over people who are already doing the job. Then the management gets turned down by those external applicants and the place is understaffed. Difficult to get leave. Many after-hour shifts.

Was this review helpful?

You have to have a real passion for public health

Administration Assistant (Former Employee) - Canberra ACT - 10 June 2019

You will be overworked if you do not thoroughly respect your own start, lunch and finish times. Most departments don't like taking on criticism of their work so if you notice something wrong you have to present it to them as nonjudgmental as possible or face being ignored or worse being blamed. You learn a lot about the public health care system and a little about the private if you are lucky. If you want to work admin but aren't fussy about where take a temporary contract job here so that you leave on good terms with management and head for GP practices who might appreciate your experience with the health industry. The hardest part of the job is the over work and clashing expectations from superiors. There are good parts but for me those were localized to my specific work area.

Pros

decent pay, Eap, a job that helps people

Health Professional (Current Employee) - Canberra ACT - 22 October 2018

Where hope dies Exceptionally bad management, little understanding re corporate culture, unethical decision making Bullying, and belittling name of the day

Pros

personal leave

Cons

management within MHJHADS

Was this review helpful?

Help us improve!

Is Indeed your favorite place to learn about companies?

YesNo

Different every day.

Cons

no work life balance

Was this review helpful?

Provision of quality patient care

Director of Nursing (Former Employee) - Canberra ACT - 15 December 2016

Focus on patient outcomes and inclusion in the care planning was rewarding Fiscal management was a challenge while providing quality services to the community. Most rewarding aspect was always the interaction with patients and staff.

Was this review helpful?

I experienced many aspects of HR funtions within this role and I would happily work at ACT Health again in the future.

Recruitment Officer, ASO3 (Former Employee) - CANBERRA - 29 March 2015

I found both the work and the people I worked with to be pleasant and very benificial to my career progression. I was able to witness many aspects of HR funtions and processes which have provided me with essential skills for the future. I am very happy I had the opportuinity to work in the department.

Pros

networking opportunities

Was this review helpful?

Production place to work and great people to work with

Clerical Assistant Grade (Former Employee) - Canberra, ACT - 20 July 2014

A typical day at work was allocating community nursing to clients I learned a complex computer system called MultiPlan The Management people were very approachable and easy to talk to The most enjoyable part of this job was the interaction with community nurses

Pros

Proximity to the city of Canberra

Was this review helpful?

Claim this company page

Want to know more about working here?

Ask a question about working or interviewing at ACT Health. Our community is ready to answer.Ask a Question

Overall rating

Based on 19 reviews

Ratings by category

2.5 out of 5 stars for Work/Life Balance

3.2 out of 5 stars for Salary/Benefits

2.7 out of 5 stars for Job Security/Advancement

2.4 out of 5 stars for Management

2.4 out of 5 stars for Culture

Questions about ACT Health

ACT Health Reviews by Job Title

ACT Health Reviews by Location

Canberra ACT14 reviews

Companies
ACT Health
Employee Reviews