Federal Budget makes health a priority, rather than health reform

Media statement - 26 March 2025

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

APNA welcomes Labor’s commitments to the wages of nurses working in Aged Care as well as the significant investment in general practice, paid nursing student placements and additional items for nurse practitioners and midwives. 

"However, these do not seek to deliver any of the much-needed reforms recommended in the 'Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce—Scope of Practice Review."  

"Nurses must be part of the solution. Enabling nurses to work to their full scope of practice improves care, reduces waiting times, and improves health outcomes." Mr Griffin said.

"Simply boosting general practice funding won't address the challenges of access to health care for Australians who do not have access to general practice or resolve the challenge of timely access to hospitals and emergency departments."  

APNA will continue to work with all political parties to seek reform of Australia’s health system.  

Nurses and midwives make up 54% of Australia’s health workforce.  They are safe, trusted and the best geographically spread health workforce. Using them to their full scope of practice will increase access to high-quality care for all Australians.

Further reading

• Budget 2025–⁠26: Building a stronger Medicare with a history-making health Budget - statement from The Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care

Australia's nursing and midwifery peak bodies recently released an election statement focused on how health care can be made more affordable and accessible.  Learn more

About APNA

The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) is the peak body and professional membership association for all nurses working outside of a hospital setting in Australia. APNA champions the role of primary health care nurses; to advance professional recognition, ensure workforce sustainability, nurture leadership in health, and optimise the role of nurses in patient-centred care.

APNA is bold, vibrant and future-focused. We reflect the views of our membership and the broader profession by bringing together nurses from across Australia to represent, advocate, promote and celebrate the achievements of nurses in primary health care.

APNA represents a significant and rapidly expanding workforce; primary health care nurses account for around one in eight of the 640,000 registered health professionals in Australia