Hospital workers in Queensland who have not been paid were sent a list of charities they could approach for food and financial assistance.
Some of Queensland Health's 74,000 employees haven't been paid for a month.
The bungle occurred as a payroll system blamed for making overpayments to Queensland Health staff was replaced by a new $40 million version.
The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital sent an email to staff advising them of what action they should take if they had not been properly paid.
Included was advice on seeking help from Brisbane charities.
"If you or anyone you know is suffering hardship, there are several organisations which may be able to assist," the email read.
Attached was a list of St Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army and Wesley Mission outlets, and included the type of services they provide and their opening hours.
Queensland's health department has apologised for the email, and the pay bungle.
Director-General of Queensland Health, Mick Reid, on Thursday said the vast majority of staff have been paid.
"It's not adequate," he said of the department's performance.
"Through the Easter process we immediately rectified those as they came to our attention. We paid a number of staff over the Easter break," Mr Reid told ABC Radio.
"Those who have been identified in this payroll run we will again rectify."
Mr Reid said he could not guarantee that the correct payments would be made in coming weeks.
He said he was disappointed the email was sent to some staff who hadn't been paid advising them to approach charities for help.
"Whilst I understand the intent of what the Royal Brisbane Hospital did, I think it was unnecessary," Mr Reid said of the email.