National nursing workforce strategy for Australia

Department of Health

There are around 420,000 nurses registered in Australia – this is more than 40% of the total health workforce. However, there has never been a national strategic approach to nursing policy and investment.

Nurses are a highly qualified and skilled workforce. This strategy will set out a vision for the future of nursing in Australia and support nurses to address the health and aged care needs of the Australian community.

We are working with stakeholders to develop the strategy. This work will look at:

  • workforce sustainability
  • diversity of the profession
  • regional, rural, and remote nursing challenges
  • the pathway from novice to expert
  • workforce planning
  • data sharing.

The strategy will take into account reforms happening across Australia’s health and aged care workforce. This includes reforms to:

  • primary care
  • mental health
  • First Nations health
  • rural and remote health workforce.

View more information about the National Nursing Workforce Strategy.

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