Australian nurses can help solve health care challenges

With health a key election issue, the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) has held focus groups with Australian nurses to identify the key concerns in primary health care.

The 2025 Federal election result

The Labor party has been returned to government for another term with a decisive majority. APNA congratulates the Labor government on this election result and looks forward to continuing to work with its health leaders.

The upcoming launch of Florence: Thoughts from the APNA Leadership Team

As we prepare to launch Florence, APNA’s leadership team reflects on the journey so far. Florence is more than an app — it’s a powerful tool designed to empower, support, and grow the nursing profession. Hear why we believe Florence will light the way for nurses everywhere.

Before the launch of Florence, APNA Board Members contemplate what it means for nurses and our health system

As the launch of Florence approaches, APNA Board Members reflect on its significance. More than an app, Florence represents a shift — empowering nurses, strengthening career growth, and helping build a healthier, more connected health system for all.

Australian innovation to make nursing careers easier and more rewarding

APNA is in the final stages of developing Florence, a new free app for all 500,000 nurses across Australia.

Federal Budget makes health a priority, rather than health reform

This year’s Federal Budget makes clear investments in health. However, it invests in the status quo rather than responding to the recommendations from the extensive health reform reviews conducted over the past three years.

Nurses are the Solution Election Campaign

Australia’s peak nursing and midwifery groups, including APNA, are calling on the major parties at this election to commit to reforms that will provide all Australians with quicker and more affordable access to the health services they need. The nine peak groups are advocating seven nursing-led reforms to improve care, reduce waiting times, and deliver better health outcomes with minimal impact on the budget.

Urgent care clinic expansion is a step towards nurse-led, accessible care

APNA welcomes the commitment to fifty more Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, which will improve patient access to nurse-led care while reducing pressure on emergency departments.

$8.5 billion health investment falls short, overlooks nurses.

The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association is warning that while the Federal Government’s $8.5 billion health investment acknowledges the need for reform, it overlooks the vital role nurses can play in addressing the pressures on Australia’s health system.

Primary health care nursing peak welcomes careers campaign but urges action

APNA welcomes the Federal Government’s launch of the first-ever Primary Health Care Careers Campaign, calling it a much-needed step in elevating primary health care.

Second year of Primary Health Care Nurses Day a huge success

On Wednesday, 5 February 2025, we celebrated Primary Health Care Nurses Day, recognising the incredible contributions of over 98,000 nurses working outside hospitals.

Primary health care nurses taking out the bins while patients wait for care

On Primary Health Care Nurses Day (5 February), new data reveals half of the nation’s 98,000+ highly trained primary health care nurses are emptying bins and vacuuming rather than focussing on patient care.

Women are ending up in emergency while highly skilled nurses are sidelined

New figures show women are presenting to emergency departments with preventable health issues, while highly trained primary health care nurses remain sidelined from delivering essential women’s health checks.

New Funding Announced for Aged Care Nursing Clinical Placement Program

The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) welcomes the Albanese Government's continued investment in the Aged Care Nursing Clinical Placement Program (ACNCPP) with the announcement of an extra $5.1m in funding.

APNA welcomes the recommendations made in the Scope of Practice Review to build a stronger primary health care sector

APNA welcomes the recommendations made in the Scope of Practice Review to build a stronger primary health care sector

Nursing and Midwifery Campaign for Better Primary Health Care for all Australians

It’s time to enable nurses, nurse practitioners, and midwives to work to their full capacity to increase access, provide quality health care, and keep Australia healthier.

Nurses herald passing of legislation as a major step forward for Australia’s primary health care system

The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) congratulates the Albanese Government for the passing of the Health Legislation Amendment (Removal of Requirement for a Collaborative Arrangement) Bill 2024 in the Senate as a major step forward enabling nurse practitioners and midwives to deliver healthcare for the Australian community.

Nurses welcome introduction of Legislation into Parliament

MEDIA RELEASE: The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) will use a breakfast briefing at Parliament House, sponsored by the Hon Ged Kearney, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, to welcome the introduction of new Legislation into the Parliament to make it easier for nurse practitioners to deliver high quality primary health care for the community.

New nurse-led clinics a welcome addition to primary health care for women and girls

MEDIA RELEASE: The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) commends the Queensland Government’s announcement of $46 million dollars in funding for four nurse-led walk in clinics to provide improved access to health care for women and girls.

Primary Health Care Nurses Day 2024

MEDIA RELEASE: On Primary Health Care Nurses Day, APNA Workforce Survey data shows almost one third of primary health care (PHC) nurses (31%) in Australia are still unable to work to their full scope of practice.

One in four nurses consider leaving primary health care

Australia is on notice that its nursing shortage is set to worsen, with one in four nurses working in primary health care (PHC) considering leaving their role in the next two to five years, according to the largest survey of the sector.

APNA welcomes direction of Scope of Practice Review Issues Paper 1

The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) has welcomed today’s Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce Scope of Practice Review Issues Paper 1 and its recognition that more primary health care (PHC) professionals working to full scope of practice will provide greater levels of safe, efficient, patient-centred care for our communities.

APNA welcomes nurse-led Medicare Urgent Care Clinics

The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) welcomes the announcement that the six ACT nurse-led walk-in centres will provide expanded services as they join the Medicare Urgent Care Clinics program.

The Nursing Peaks Coalition supports a Yes Vote to the referendum on the Voice to Parliament

The Nursing Peaks Coalition supports a Yes Vote to the referendum on the Voice to Parliament.

Cardwell is the latest, but not the last

The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) is aware of the situation in Cardwell where State and Commonwealth government intervention has been required to maintain primary health care (PHC) services to a rural community.

APNA honours two shining lights of primary health care nursing

A nurse who has spent decades bringing high quality, community-led healthcare to remote area Indigenous Australians and a social scientist and nursing professor who fundamentally changed the way primary health care (PHC) nurses provide vaccinations have both been recognised for their monumental contributions to PHC nursing in Australia.

West Australian nurses are Australia’s most underutilised - survey

Western Australia’s primary health care (PHC) nurses are the most underutilised in Australia, according to a national survey of Australia’s PHC nursing workforce.

Aged care nurses underutilised despite workforce shortage - survey

More than one third (34%) of all nurses working in residential or community aged care settings are not being utilised most of the time, according to a new national survey of Australia’s primary health care (PHC) nursing workforce.

First nursing students placed in national aged care program

The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) has placed its first 76 student nurses into aged care placements as part of a new program to recruit nurses into the residential aged care sector.

One in four Primary Health Care nurses plans to quit

More than a quarter of all Primary Health Care (PHC) nurses in Australia say they are planning to leave their job, according to new national data.

New models of nursing care will provide solutions to the ageing population

The Intergenerational Report, released yesterday, predicts that Australia’s population is expected to climb to 39.8 million by 2060-61, a million more than the previous projections for 38.8 million released in 2021, and pass 40 million by 2063. Additionally, Australians are expected to live longer with life expectancies forecast to rise to 87 years for men and 89.5 years for women by 2062-63.

APNA welcomes new Health and Aged Care Secretary

The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) has welcomed the appointment of Blair Comley PSM as Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care.

Nurse skills, experience being wasted despite nursing shortage - national survey

One third (32%) of all primary health care (PHC) nurses are not being utilised most of the time, according to a new national survey of Australia’s PHC nursing workforce.

New Plan to better use Nurse Practitioners

Today’s release of the Nurse Practitioner Workforce Plan is a welcome follow-up to last week’s Budget announcements supporting Nurse Practitioners (NPs).

International Nurses Day - a chance to thank nurses for the care they give us

International Nurses Day is about two words - thank you.

Budget lays the groundwork for structural change in health care

The Federal Budget will strengthen Australia’s primary health care (PHC) system by addressing growing nursing shortages, seeing more nurses hired where they are needed, and better utilising the largest workforce in PHC of nearly 100,000 nurses to their full potential to reduce the pressure on the health system.

Nurses focusing on their financial health

NURSES are gathering around the country tomorrow night for professional development with a difference - to learn more about money and how to navigate the financial side of being a nurse.

More to do, but APNA welcomes Albanese Government’s approach to health reforms

The peak body representing Australia’s 96,000 Primary Health Care nurses has welcomed the Albanese Government’s first steps to reforming Medicare, which will help improve Australia’s health.

We agree. It’s now time for action. Nurses are ready for change

The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) welcomes Federal Health Minister Mark Butler’s thoughtful and considered approach to change in Australian health care.

Federal Budget keeps PHC nurses waiting

Tonight’s Federal Budget has failed to address the growing nurse shortages in general practice and aged care which will lead to a crisis in Australia’s primary health care (PHC) system.

Victorian nursing announcement risks general practice and aged care

The Andrews Government’s $270 million announcement to recruit more nurses into the public health system is well-intended but risks exacerbating nurse shortages in aged care and general practice.

Celebrating 21 years of nursing impact - APNA marks a milestone in making Australia healthier by supporting primary health care nurses

When Primary Health Care (PHC) nurses needed a voice, when student nurses needed a reliable pathway to primary care placements, when rural communities urgently needed nurses to help tackle COVID, APNA was there.

More than 900 Calvary nurses to benefit from APNA membership

More than 900 Calvary nurses in aged care, home care and telehealth services are set to benefit from an agreement between Calvary and the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA).

Government must focus more on Australia’s primary health care needs

The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) has welcomed moves by the Morrison Government in tonight’s federal Budget to partly address the urgent issues faced by primary health care nurses when caring for the health needs of millions of Australians.

Homegrown talent the answer to global nursing shortage

A global shortage of more than 30 million nurses and midwives means Australia must focus on training local Primary Health Care (PHC) nurses rather than rely on overseas-trained nurses to fill the aged care workforce shortfall.

In the past week, the NSW and Victorian governments have announced bonus or retention payments for hospital nurses.

Top marks for primary health care student nurse program

It’s official - nine out of every ten PHC nurse supervisors who participated in APNA’s Student Nurse Placement Program (SNPP) said that they would be happy to supervise student nurses again, according to new national data.

Next-generation of nurses impressed with primary health care

New national data shows seven out of every 10 student nurses who complete APNA’s Student Nurse Placement Program (SNPP) say they would consider a primary health care (PHC) career.

No time for heart health education, say under-resourced nurses

Almost one in three Primary Health Care (PHC) nurses in Australia say that work and resource pressures mean that they do not perform cardiovascular education and management with patients, according to new national data.

Nursing organisations condemn Morrison Government for failures in aged care

The country’s peak nursing organisations today stand together to condemn the Morrison Government for its failure to protect Australia’s nursing home residents, and the nurses and care workers doing their utmost in a sector that has been overwhelmed by COVID. And, at a time when the latest COVID outbreaks continue to claim lives in Australia’s nursing homes.

APNA and School Nurses Australia to amalgamate

The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) and School Nurses Australia (SNA) have agreed to amalgamate. The merged body will continue to be known as APNA. APNA Acting CEO Mitch Wall welcomed SNA members to APNA and said the amalgamation process would begin immediately.

The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) has unveiled new data showing how nurses involved with the COVID vaccine rollout are faring.

Student Nurse Placement Program

APNA and Monash University are helping nursing students complete clinical placements that were disrupted by COVID-19.

Doctors and Primary Care nurses join forces to strengthen rural and remote healthcare

The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine and APNA have formalised a Memorandum of Understanding with the aim of strengthening healthcare teams across rural and remote Australia.

Strong leadership is crucial for essential primary health care culture and change

APNA welcomes the release of Issues Paper Two from the Scope of Practice Review team

International Nurses Day 2024

Time to value the Economic Power of the largest workforce in primary health care

International Self-Care Day 2024

Today, the Australian Self-Care Alliance (Alliance), which APNA is a member of, joins the global community in marking International Self-Care Day and reiterates its call for the Federal Government to allocate $6 million to fund a ‘health star rating’ system for digital health information and services.

APNA welcomes Government relief from student clinical ‘placement poverty

The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) welcomes the Albanese Government support payments for student nurses and midwives undertaking clinical placement training as part of their path to finishing their qualifications.

New survey finds nurses ‘doing paperwork’ instead of treating patients

At a time of chronic health workforce shortages across Australia, a new survey has revealed that four out of five highly-qualified registered and enrolled primary health care nurses in GP clinics are being forced to undertake a long-list of non-clinical, administrative work, instead of giving people the medical care they need in the community.

2 in 5 Primary Health Care Nurses at risk of leaving Primary Health Care

The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) will meet with Members of Parliament in Canberra this week to discuss solutions and help fix a range of workforce issues which have the potential to cause an exodus of nurses from the country’s primary health care sector in the next five years.

New funding for the next generation of Australia’s primary health care nurses

The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) says the Albanese Government’s $4.2 million investment in the National Nursing Clinical Placement Program will help to grow the next generation of primary health care nurses and combat the workforce shortage.

Scope of Practice Review: Issues Paper 2

Australia’s peak nursing and midwifery organisations welcome the release of the Scope of Practice Review Issues Paper Two.

APNA President appointed first Chief Clinical Adviser (Nursing) at the Australian Digital Health Agency

APNA welcomes the appointment of our president, Karen Booth, as the inaugural Chief Clinical Adviser at the Australian Digital Health Agency.

Joint Statement: Primary Health Care Alliance - PHC Congress

With significant primary healthcare reform on the horizon in Australia, strong leadership and consensus views have been agreed by over 60 peak organisations at the Primary Health Care Congress.

School Nurses: An investment with a lifetime of impact

The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) welcomes the commitment from the ACT Labor Government to increase access to nurses in ACT public secondary schools.