Nurses and midwives

Nurses and midwives make up the largest clinical workforce in Australia. Find out about nursing and midwifery, how these professions are regulated in Australia, and how we support this important sector of our health workforce.

About nurses and midwives

What nurses and midwives do, and what the different titles mean.

What we do

How we support nurses, midwives and the patients who need their services.

Nurses and midwives in Australia

Facts and figures on the Australian workforce, and the registration process.

Support and education

How to become a nurse, find available scholarships, and access support services.
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Hello I’m Alison McMillan, the Australian Government’s Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer.

I’m speaking to you today to highlight an important piece of work I’m leading in the Department of Health and Aged Care, the development of Australia’s first ever National Nursing Workforce Strategy.

There are 420,000 registered nurses in Australia, which is more than 40 percent of the total health workforce. However, there’s never been a national-level strategic approach to nursing policy and investment.

We need to ensure that this highly qualified and skilled workforce is supported to address the current and future health and aged care needs of the Australian community. Development of the strategy will be underpinned by extensive stakeholder engagement and collaboration. It’s expected to look at issues such as workforce sustainability, the diversity of the profession, the challenges of regional, rural and remote nursing, the pathways from novice to expert, workforce planning and data sharing.

As opportunities for consultation arise during the development of the essential strategy, I encourage you to get involved and have your say so that together we can build a stronger nursing workforce for the future. For more information visit health.gov.au.

Alison McMillan – National Nursing Workforce Strategy

Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan discusses Australia’s first ever National Nursing Workforce Strategy – a national-level strategic approach to nursing policy and investment.

Find out more

Nurse & Midwife Support

1800 667 877

Nurse & Midwife Support is a 24/7 national support hotline for nurses and midwives, nursing and midwifery students, employers, educators and concerned family and friends. It provides access to confidential advice and referral.

Latest news

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Latest news

A message from Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan – March 2023

A newsletter from Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan with updates from the nursing and midwifery sector, some personal priorities and highlights, and an insight on what's happening across the Department of Health and Aged Care.

COVID-19 vaccination training

A free, mandatory COVID-19 vaccination training program is available for nurses administering COVID-19 vaccines.  

Get the training

Latest resources

Latest resources

Nurse Practitioner Workforce Plan

The Nurse Practitioner Workforce Plan supports nurse practitioners to deliver health and aged care. The plan addresses barriers that have prevented them from working to their full potential.

NPSC communique – 3 April 2023

The seventh meeting of the Nurse Practitioner Steering Committee (NPSC) was held on 3 April 2023.
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Alison McMillan – National Nursing Workforce Strategy

Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan discusses Australia’s first ever National Nursing Workforce Strategy – a national-level strategic approach to nursing policy and investment.
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The National Rural and Remote Nursing Generalist Framework – Who it's for

Learn about the National Rural and Remote Nursing Generalist Framework for Registered Nurses. This video provides an overview of who the framework is for and how it may be used by rural and remote nurses, educators and employers.

Our committees and groups

Our committees and groups

National Nursing and Midwifery Education Advisory Network

The National Nursing and Midwifery Education Advisory Network (NNMEAN) works with us and the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer. The NNMEAN gives advice on nursing and midwifery education and workforce issues.

National Nursing Workforce Strategy Advisory Group

The Strategy Advisory Group (SAG) provides advice on the development of the National Nursing Workforce Strategy.

National Nursing Workforce Strategy Steering Committee

The Strategy Steering Committee (SSC) oversees the development of the National Nursing Workforce Strategy.