Workforce Reform

Nursing, midwifery, and care worker reform is critical for a sustainable, skilled and supported workforce.

Nursing, midwifery, and care worker reform requires strategic planning

Reducing student attrition, boosting recruitment, and enhancing retention, especially in rural areas are key to a sustainable nursing and midwifery workforce. The ANMF also supports nurses and midwives working to their full scope of practice. This includes incorporating new areas of clinical work and education that will offer nurses and midwives expanded career pathways and progression, increased job satisfaction, and reduced burnout and attrition. 

Working to full scope of practice

Nurses and midwives encounter barriers that limit working to their full scope. The ANMF will work with government in 2026 to deliver innovative multi-disciplined nurse-and-midwife-led models of care.

National Nursing Workforce Strategy

The ANMF awaits the release of a national strategy to address chronic nursing and midwifery workforce issues in Australia, with a focus on recruitment and retention to match future supply and demand.

The Midwifery Futures Report

The ANMF has participated in the Midwifery Futures Project on the Working Advisory Group and the Expert Advisory Group. Many of the report’s recommendations reflect the ongoing advocacy of the ANMF for midwives.

ANMJ Articles

Hitting the ceiling: When “Top of Scope” meets governance reality

Government initiatives to strengthen nursing workforce in primary care

ANMF PRIORITIES 2026: Workforce reform

ANMF advocates for paid clinical placements for all nursing and midwifery students

Submissions

Response to the Department of Home Affairs on the Review of the Points Test Discussion Paper

Submission to the Unleashing the potential of our health workforce Scope of Practice Review: Issues Paper 2

Submission to the Jobs and Skills Australia Consultation on the National Skills Taxonomy Discussion Paper

Submission to the National Nursing Workforce Strategy