Australia's Healthcare System Braces for Severe Nurse Shortage by 2035
A looming crisis in Australia's healthcare sector has been unveiled, with predictions indicating a staggering shortfall of 70,000 nurses by the year 2035. This alarming projection, detailed in a federal Department of Health and Aged Care study, spans across critical areas including aged care, acute care, primary health care, and mental health services. The Hunter New England health district alone could face a deficit of more than 2,000 nurses, exacerbating existing challenges in regional and rural communities.
Federal Investment Urged to Unlock Nursing Potential
The Australian College of Nursing is spearheading a urgent call to action, urging the federal government to allocate $891 million over four years in a pre-budget submission. This funding aims to "unlock the full potential" of the nation's 414,000 registered nurses. Key proposals include $20 million for workforce retention and growth programs to mitigate the projected shortage, alongside $539 million to establish nurse-led vaccination clinics in response to declining immunisation rates.
In the Hunter New England region, vaccination rates have hit concerning lows, with immunisations for 1-year-olds dropping to 93.9% in 2024—a nine-year low. For 2-year-olds, the rate fell to 92.4%, an eight-year low, while 5-year-olds saw a 10-year low of 95.1%. Professor Kathryn Zeitz, chief executive of the Australian College of Nursing, emphasised that "funding nurses to better manage chronic conditions would reduce exacerbations that land people in emergency departments."
Expanding Nursing Roles to Address Healthcare Gaps
The submission outlines several innovative strategies to enhance healthcare access, particularly in underserved populations. A significant $275 million is sought to establish nurse-led primary care practices, which could improve services in rural, regional, and remote areas where access to health professionals is limited. Additionally, $52 million is proposed to educate more registered nurses as prescribers, expanding medicine access in these communities.
Professor Zeitz highlighted that while federally-funded urgent care clinics and bulk-billing incentives have shown some success, "major challenges persist," including rising hospital wait times and increasing cases of influenza and measles due to falling vaccination rates. The college also advocates for scholarships for aged-care nurses and the expansion of nurse-led models to prevent avoidable hospitalisations among older Australians.
Real-World Impact and Regulatory Changes
Clinical nurse specialist Melissa Freeman, a fellow of the Australian College of Nursing, has been instrumental in pushing for regulatory reforms. In an opinion piece, she called for enhanced support for nurse-led clinics, citing "an older, sicker population" and areas with "little to no access to health professionals." Her advocacy contributed to changes in health regulations, allowing registered nurses to administer vaccinations without requiring medical officer advice—a pivotal step toward improving immunisation access.
Professor Zeitz underscored the broader benefits, noting that nurses can "ease the pressure on general practices" and help reduce clinician burnout, particularly in communities where general practitioners are unavailable. The college's proposed reforms aim to deliver the greatest impact for underserved groups, including First Nations people, seniors, the homeless, and disadvantaged individuals.
As Australia grapples with these healthcare challenges, the call for federal investment and expanded nursing roles becomes increasingly critical to safeguarding the nation's health infrastructure and ensuring equitable access to care for all citizens.
