Australia is already grappling with a significant shortage of nurses in healthcare and aged care around the country and the problem is forecast to increase over the coming years.
Studies into nursing supply and demand have found shortages are affecting all sectors of the healthcare industry, including acute care, primary care, aged care and mental health. Unless steps are taken to resolve the problem, predictions point to an overall shortage of 85,000 nurses by 2025 and 123,000 nurses in Australia by 2030.
Across the country, health and aged care facilities find themselves in competition to secure local talent. However, many are starting to look at filling gaps in their skilled carer and registered nursing staff by seeking international skilled talent.
Causes of nurse shortages in Australia
While there are more healthcare workers in Australia than ever before, shortages are mainly due to the fact we have a growing population with longer life expectancies.
The other major contributor which is affecting aged care in particular is the increase in mandatory care minutes. New quotas came into force in July 2023, putting added pressure on aged care providers. From October 1st, these quotas increased, requiring aged care providers to provide a revised average of 215 minutes of personal care and 40 minutes of registered nurse care per day. Meeting these targets will require additional personnel for almost every aged care facility.
To solve healthcare worker shortages, the Government has introduced some longer-term initiatives to encourage new nurses to enter the industry, such as offering paid practicum payments to students. Unfortunately, this strategy won’t fill the immediate gaps in nurses and care workers in aged care facilities.
Solving nurse and care worker shortages
The biggest solution to the current nursing shortage lies in the international workforce and the option to hire skilled employees from overseas who are already qualified to work in Australia.
As reported by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, the number of internationally qualified nurses and midwives in Australia is on the rise. However, where to look for qualified talent, how to attract good quality applicants who are workplace ready, which work visas would be most suitable and how to navigate the visa application process, requires planning, strategy and expertise. What’s more, visa rules and requirements in Australia are constantly changing, which can make it difficult to know the right approach.
Partnering with a specialist migration agency can fill staffing gaps within weeks, rather than months. For example, a registered nurse being sponsored by an employer and working under a Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) may now be approved to enter the country in as little as eight days from application.
By partnering with an experienced team of migration experts who specialise in supporting the healthcare industries, it’s possible to develop a robust and ongoing process to fill skilled and qualified carer gaps.
Cultural Diversity in Healthcare
Cultural diversity in the workplace is on the agenda for most organisations. For the healthcare industry, this is particularly poignant as the cultural demographic of Australia continues to broaden.
The ability to match language, cultural norms and nuances cannot be overstated. Creating a demographic matrix of carers and those being cared for to ensure patients are heard and understood.
By creating a strategic source of candidates who match the DEI strategy of healthcare organisations, international skilled carers and registered nurses not only fill vacancies i – but add to the quality of service provided.
