As the world’s population grows, people need better access to safe, quality health care, as well as long-term employment. Investments that increase the overall productivity of the health sector and produce better health outcomes are a cornerstone for building strong health systems and stronger economies.1 Investing in the nursing workforce not only improves the well-being of populations, but also boosts economic growth by enhancing workforce productivity; strengthening health care systems; alleviating poverty; improving gender equality; and contributing to social cohesion, peace and prosperity.2
Australia is the sixth largest country in the world by land area3, serving a population of more than 27 million people.4 More than 70% of the population live in major cities and around 26% live in regional areas. The remainder of the population (2%) live in remote and very remote areas.5 Australia's population is diverse. People who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander are estimated to represent 3.8% of the population. Almost 70% of the population was born in Australia, with 29.5% born overseas.6
The Australian health and aged care system serving this population is one of the best in the world, providing safe and affordable universal health care, which is collaboratively managed by all levels of government – federal, state, territory and local. However, a range of factors are challenging the health and aged care system and how services are delivered. These include an ageing population, increasingly complex and chronic conditions, a large land mass with a geographically dispersed population, socioeconomic factors, the impacts of climate change, advancements in technology and the geopolitical landscape.
Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic (the pandemic) exacerbated the demands being made on and for the nursing workforce in Australia. Globally, evidence shows there has been insufficient investment in policy and planning to ensure nations were training adequate numbers of nurses to meet their projected needs.7 In some countries nurse unemployment co-exists with significant nurse shortages.8 In Australia these factors are having and will continue to have significant impacts on demand for the nursing workforce now and into the future.