Primary health care nurses are essential at every stage

New data shows they can do even more.

Media Statement - Wednesday 4 February 2026

To mark Primary Health Care Nurses Day (4 February), the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) is releasing data highlighting the growing contribution and untapped potential of primary health care nurses across Australia.  

APNA’s 2025 Workforce Survey surveyed over 2,000 primary health care nurses, and shows a workforce that is already delivering at a high level — and ready to do even more when supported to work to full scope:  

• 70% of primary health care nurses are regularly or often working to their full scope of practice, demonstrating strong utilisation of nursing capability across the sector
• 30% said they could be doing even more – a significant opportunity to further strengthen scope of practice
  • 36% of nurses working in aged care said they were not regularly or often working to their full scope of practice
  • 29% of nurses in general practice said they were not regularly or often working to their full scope of practice
• Nearly three-quarters (72%) of primary health care nurses said that multidisciplinary care planning and delivery are encouraged and supported in their workplace, reflecting the growing maturity of team-based primary health care
• 12% said that it was not encouraged or supported in their workplace;  
  • Of those working in aged care, 15% said that multidisciplinary care planning and delivery were not encouraged or supported
  • 10% of respondents working in general practice said multidisciplinary care planning and delivery were not encouraged or supported

“Primary health care nurses are there at every stage of life - supporting new parents, helping children thrive, managing chronic conditions, and keeping older Australians healthy in their communities. We work in general practice, aged care, schools, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, and countless other settings,” said APNA President Denise Lyons.  

“At a time when our health system is under unprecedented pressure – workforce shortages, rising costs, aging populations –  almost a third of our highly skilled, qualified primary health care nursing workforce could be doing even more.”  

“The data from APNA’s 2025 annual Workforce Survey points to the significant gains in access, quality and efficiency that could be achieved by fully enabling primary health care nurses to work to their full scope, as valued members of multidisciplinary teams. 

“Getting funding settings right and implementing the Scope of Practice Review recommendations can make a real difference – breaking down barriers for primary health care nurses, so they can do even more.”  

Troy, a primary health care nurse working in community health, said, “Society focuses so much on when people become unwell, but primary health care brings it back to prevention.”  

Courtney, a primary health care nurse working in General Practice, said: “primary health care nurses are in every community – where patients live, work, and raise families. We’re part of their everyday lives.” 

About Primary Health Care Nurses Day

Primary Health Care Nurses Day is held on the first Wednesday in February each year. It celebrates the vital work of nurses who care for people outside hospital settings, including aged care, general practice, community health, schools, custodial care and other primary health care settings.

Primary health care is often the first point of contact in our health system, supporting prevention, early intervention and ongoing care. This day shines a spotlight on the 104,000+ primary health care nurses across Australia whose work improves the health and wellbeing of communities nationwide.

https://www.apna.asn.au/profession/primary-health-care-nurses-day