Hospital staff in Melbourne, including medical professionals, caught up in a cyber attack have been given 17 days to organise to return overpaid wages.
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Staff at Cabrini Health, which includes private hospitals in Malvern, Brighton and Elsternwick, this week received a letter stating overpayments should be returned by June 30.
The letter cited technical issues with Cabrini Health's rostering system that resulted in both under and overpayments to some staff across the hospital network.
Those issues were caused by an external cybersecurity incident that affected users' access to the system and data.
Cabrini has back payed staff who were underpaid.
The letter, received by employees this week, gives them 17 days' notice to come to an agreement about how the excess wages will be repaid.
"Cabrini will be working with individuals to develop a repayment option that is appropriate for them,' the letter stated.
"Repayments should be completed prior to the end of current financial year in June 2023."
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation's Victorian secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said the need for staff to make repayments was not new news, and not everyone had to give the money back.
She said those who had been overpaid $250 or less would not have to repay Cabrini Health.
The others, Ms Fitzpatrick said, could enter into payment plans if they faced financial stress.
"The letter says repayments should be paid by June 30, not must - so we are hoping that Cabrini takes a sensible approach," she told AAP on Tuesday.
"If our members feel as though a common sense approach isn't being taken, then the ANMF will step in and provide assistance."
Ms Fitzpatrick said by law Cabrini Health was unable to hold back payments from paychecks owing to staff, but by the same token were within their rights to pursue legal action if repayments were not made.
Cabrini Health was contacted by AAP for comment.
Australian Associated Press
