Adjunct Professor (Practice) Alison McMillan PSM was appointed as the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer in November 2019.
With more than 40 years of experience as a Registered Nurse, Alison offers strategic policy advice to Ministers, the executive and staff within the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and other government departments on matters related to nursing, midwifery, health system reform, workforce regulation, and education. Alison is passionate about realising the value of nursing and midwifery to ensure all Australians continue to access high quality health and aged care. She continues to champion health care equity especially access to sexual and reproductive health for women.
Alison is a member of the Australian Health Protection Committee (AHPC) and several other committees. In her role, she advises the Australian Government on the contributions of the nursing and midwifery professions in achieving evidence-based, safe, high-quality, and compassionate health and aged care outcomes for the Australian community.
Alison is leading and contributing to range of strategic projects and committees including:
- the development of the National Nursing Workforce Strategy
- implementation of the Nurse Practitioner Workforce Plan
- Nursing and Midwifery Strategic Reference Group
- National Nursing and Midwifery Education Advisory Network
- chair of the Maternity Services Advcisory Group
- chair of the Australian Health Protection Committee (AHPC) Aged Care Advisory Group
- chair of the Maternity Strategic Advisory Group
- Member of the Australian Health Protection Committee (AHPC)
- Member of the Australian Council of Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers.
- Observer - National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
Alison has received several awards including:
- Public Service Medal, June 2021, for outstanding public service to driving the Government's national health response priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly to infection prevention measures
- a National Emergency Medal, 2009, in recognition of service following the 2009 Victorian Bushfires
- Humanitarian Overseas Medal, 2021.
Alison strongly supports enabling all nurses and midwives at all stages of their career to work to their optimal scope of practice. This poses enormous benefits to the efficient and effective delivery of health and aged care systems.
Alison is supported in her work by a Senior Nursing Advisor and Olivia Tierney, a Senior Midwifery Advisor.
Read more about the work of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer and what we are doing for nurses and midwives.
Find out more about nurses and midwives.