The strategy establishes priorities for strengthening the sustainability of the nursing workforce, aiming to bolster the delivery of health and aged care services to all Australian communities. It has been endorsed by all Health Ministers. It offers a comprehensive framework to foster collaboration and drive action among stakeholders in shaping the future of nursing workforce planning, investment and reform. The strategy highlights how investment in nursing can deliver considerable economic and societal benefits to all Australian communities and help to avoid the workforce supply and demand gap that will grow without reform.
A significant evidence base of research and consultation reports have informed development of the strategy, drawn from best practice and recognising the uniqueness of the Australian context. This includes understanding the challenges, issues and opportunities facing the nursing workforce in realising health outcomes for the population. The evidence base includes consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, nurses, organisations and the public, as well as comprehensive consideration of international nursing workforce initiatives. More information on the process used to develop the strategy can be found at Appendix B.
The strategy acknowledges and commits to equity in representation and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the nursing workforce. It seeks to enable the entire nursing workforce to meet the health and cultural needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The strategy encompasses the breadth of nursing designations and includes nursing students, assistants in nursing (or however named), enrolled nurses, registered nurses and nurse practitioners. It applies to nurses in both clinical and non-clinical roles, in all specialities and across all settings. Appendix C provides a more detailed description of nurses and nursing. Midwives, as a separate and defined profession are not included in the strategy’s scope. However, it is recognised many nurses have dual registration as midwives and paramedics, so their perspective on nursing issues and the impact of the strategy on those professions has been considered.