The Albanese Labor Government continues to strengthen Medicare by supporting Australia's nursing workforce.
As part of the 2023-24 Budget, the Government invested $4.2 million in the National Nurse Clinical Placements program, which gives students valuable experience in primary health care nursing - growing their skills and encouraging them to consider a career in the sector.
The Government has chosen the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association - Australia's peak body for nurses working in primary care - to deliver the program.
This will provide an additional 6,000 student placements in primary care settings across the country, including in community health, general practice, Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations and schools.
Currently, placements in primary health are rare despite primary health care nurses making up 25 per cent of the nursing workforce.
The Association will work with education providers and clinical settings to place students.
The Government is committed to supporting Australian nurses.
That's why from 1 July this year the Albanese Labor Government increased the Medicare rebates for care provided by nurse practitioners by 30 per cent.
Support for nurse practitioners is a key part of the Albanese Government's reforms to strengthen Medicare and meet the health needs of Australians at every age and stage, wherever they live.
Increasing Medicare rebates will make care more affordable and accessible, particularly in rural and regional Australia.
The Government made these changes in response to the recommendations made in the Nurse Practitioner Workforce Plan and Strengthening Medicare Taskforce Report, and joins other reforms to nurse practitioners care such as the removal of the requirement for collaborative arrangements.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care
Ged Kearney MP:
"Labor is the party for nurses. As a former nurse and now as Assistant Health Minister, I've always known this, but this announcement really shows it.
"From working as a nurse at the Austin Hospital in the 80s to meeting with student nurses in 2024, I know the importance of placements when you're studying nursing. Expanding nursing placement in primary care helps builds the skills of our students for the best quality care now and into the future.
"Nurse practitioners are experienced, trained, professionals. Labor's ensuring they get the pay they deserve and that Australians get the care they need"
"We are backing our nursing workforce to work to their full scope of practice for the benefit of all Australians and we will continue to remove barriers which prevent nurse practitioners from performing all the duties they are trained to do."
Quotes attributable to Karen Booth, APNA President:
"We've seen how APNA's NNCPP is making a real difference, showing our next generation of nurses how rewarding a career in primary health care can be.
"We welcome the Albanese Government's significant investment in the NNCPP, supporting APNA and our members as we build a sustainable pipeline of nurses for the future, addressing workforce shortages and ensuring better health outcomes for the community."
Quotes attributable to Leanne Boase, Chief Executive Officer, Australian College of Nurse Practitioners:
"The recent 30% MBS rebate increase has already impacted on bulk billing rates, in particular for more vulnerable or disadvantaged people, improving their access to primary health care.
It's also having an effect on the nurse practitioner workforce, with more nurse practitioners considering the shift to primary care. Working in primary care is becoming more viable, with the 30% rebate increase, and the further changes on the way.
"Many blocks have been preventing people accessing health care from a nurse practitioner, and limiting their choice. With so much reform over the last few years, and more changes on the way, there is more hope not only for those underemployed nurse practitioners in Australia, but also for people who struggle to access and afford health care.
"With the support for nursing placements, the postgraduate scholarships for nurses and midwives, and the changes for nurse practitioners, this is a turning point for nursing in Australia. We now need to focus on wider health reform, and continuing to open up access to nurse practitioners."
