Health workforce shortage will impact vote changes – survey

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Monday, 16 May 2022

Health workforce shortage will impact vote choices – survey
Australians say concern over health workforce shortages will affect the way they vote, according to a new survey –
but neither of the major parties have proposed a solution to this problem, with less than a week to go before polling
day.

APHA CEO Michael Roff said the Association's survey of just over 1000 Australians commissioned last week assessed
the impact of health workforce shortages on voters, and the news for the major parties is not good.

"This survey shows ninety percent of Australians are concerned about the impact the shortage of nurses will have on
the health and aged care systems, and 53 percent say this will affect the way they vote.

"While Australians understand a shortage of nurses will constrain efforts to clear the backlog of essential elective
surgery or improve the quality of aged care, it is disappointing that neither major party seems to get it.

"With all the major 'set-piece' announcements of the campaign now done, neither of the parties seeking to form
government has put forward a plan to address this critical health workforce shortage," he said
Mr Roff said while there had been announcements about 'more nurses', no one can explain how Australia will
attract a skilled workforce and rebuild the local workforce.

"We are calling on both parties to announce a plan to guarantee a pathway to permanent residency for skilled health
care migrants coming to Australia, while we also build capacity at home.

"It is not just a matter of opening the borders and inviting people to come, we are competing for nurses, doctors and
allied health professionals with the rest of the world. The United Kingdom, France and Canada have all made steps to
make residency easier for migrant health professionals. Australia needs to step up or lose out," he said.

Mr Roff said an internal survey of APHA hospital members showed almost 60 percent anticipated falling short of
their workforce needs in the first half of 2022.

"Private hospitals tell us they have a current shortfall of 5,500 nurses and they urgently need 1000 skilled migrants
to fill some of this gap. But overseas nurses are reluctant to come to Australia as other countries are making it more
attractive. As pressure to deliver delayed elective surgeries is at its height, Australia is struggling to fill its workforce
needs. That could mean further delays for people who have already waited years for help and result in an even more
exhausted workforce.

"In the short term, there's a solution. it's reducing the red-tape around bringing people into the country for
employers and making Australia the most attractive option for those looking for a new place to call home," he said.

-ENDSLevel 3 /11 National Circ, Barton ACT 2600. PO Box 4502, Kingston ACT 2604. [T] 02 6273 9000 [F] 02 6273 7000
[E] [W] www.apha.org.au [FB] ValuingPrivateHospitals [Twitter] @priv8hospitals
ABN 82 008 623 809

Media contact: Frith Rayner, Director Communications and Marketing, 0413 971 999
*Survey details:
Conducted by Pureprofile between Wednesday 11 May 2022 and Thursday 12 May 2022.

1006 respondents, 51 percent female; 49 percent male aged 18 years and over.

Level 3 /11 National Circ, Barton ACT 2600. PO Box 4502, Kingston ACT 2604. [T] 02 6273 9000 [F] 02 6273 7000
[E] [W] www.apha.org.au [FB] ValuingPrivateHospitals [Twitter] @priv8hospitals
ABN 82 008 623 809

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