The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) welcomes prioritised funding in the Budget for health and aged care including: $8.5 billion to strengthen Medicare; $2.6 billion for wage rises for aged care nurses; $1.7 billion for the nation’s public hospitals; a pipeline of new Urgent Care Clinics and a landmark $573 million women’s health package.

The ANMF also applauds the Albanese Government for tackling cost of living pressures by reducing the cost of medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS); $17 billion in tax cuts for workers; an extra 400 scholarships for nurses and midwives; extending access to childcare; slashing student HECS-HELP debts by 20 per cent; providing 100,000 fee-free TAFE places and $150 in energy rebates each quarter.

“The Budget is full of good news for our members working on the frontline of health and aged care,” said ANMF Federal Secretary, Annie Butler.

“We welcome the Government’s continued support of the aged care workforce by funding a wage increase for registered nurses and enrolled nurses, in line with the Fair Work Commission’s final determination in the historic work value case. It will certainly help with our members’ every day, cost of living challenges and retain and recruit more nurses into the sector by offering better pay and working conditions, which in turn, will result in safer, higher quality care for older Australians.

“In these tough economic times, it is heartening that the Government has again committed to investing in Medicare reforms, expanding bulk-billing incentives, meaning that nine out of 10 GP visits will be bulk-billed by 2030, establishing 50 new Urgent Care Clinics across the country and cutting the price of a script to $25 under the PBS. A list of new medicines, including oral contraceptives, reproductive treatments and menopausal hormone therapies have also been listed on the PBS, making it cheaper and more accessible for women of all ages to meet their health needs.

“With cost of living and housing affordability identified by ANMF members as their big concerns, it’s encouraging that we have measures aimed at putting downward pressure on prices. Nurses and midwives will benefit from improved childcare subsidies, increased public school funding, quarterly energy rebates and the extension of the 'Help to Buy' scheme, making it more accessible for nurses and midwives looking to buy their first home, as part of the Government co-ownership offer.

“As the country heads to the election in May, the ANMF looks forward to working with the Government to deliver on these Budget investments and to build a stronger and sustainable health and aged care workforce that can improve care, reduce waiting times and provide better health outcomes for the community.”

The ANMF, with over 345,000 members, is the industrial and professional voice for nurses, midwives and carers in Australia.

ANMF media release authorised by Annie Butler, ANMF Federal Secretary. 1/365 Queen St, Melbourne.

ANMF media inquiries: Richard Lenarduzzi 0411 254 390