$8.5 billion health investment falls short, overlooks nurses.

Media Release - 23 February 2025

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.

“Australia’s health system needs reform, and while the Federal Government recognises this, today’s announcement is a big investment in the status quo,” Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association Chief Executive Officer Ken Griffin said.

“While the investment in primary healthcare is welcome, only pumping money into General Practice won’t stop the bleed in our health system and won’t keep more patients out of our overstretched hospitals.

“Once again, nurses - the largest, most trusted, reliable workforce in primary health care - are not being recognised as the solution.“

The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association has advocated that the Federal Government act without further delay on the recommendations of Professor Cormack’s three-year Scope of Practice Review - commissioned by the Federal Government - to allow nurses to provide broader care to patients who are waiting for support.

“If the Government were to adopt these reforms – which represent real change in our health system - more Australians would receive the health care they need, when they need it, and without having to present at an emergency department in crisis."

“Nurses must be empowered to use their full clinical skills to address the mounting pressure on our hospitals and on GPs. “Without that, we will continue to see more Australians waiting for the care they desperately need,” Mr Griffin said.

Media Contact:

Rebecca Burdick Davies – 0401 619 280

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