In the lead up to the Federal Budget, the Labor Government has unveiled four initiatives aimed at alleviating some of the pressures on the healthcare workforce, which will flow through to benefits for aged care, where the sector needs an estimated 5,000 Registered Nurses (RNs) by 1 October 2024 to meet increased mandated care minute targets.

The initiatives are.

Commonwealth Prac Payment

The Government is proposing a Commonwealth Prac Payment to support teaching, nursing, midwife, and social work students who undertake mandatory work placements to gain their qualifications. Approximately 73,000 students will be eligible to receive the payment of $319.50 per week that will be paid during their clinical and professional placement periods.

“This Prac payment is in addition to the Government's investment in Fee-Free TAFE which is supporting thousands to gain Division 2 nursing qualifications and helping to address skills shortages in aged and health care," said Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor.

Nursing Scholarship

The Government has promised $50.2 million for a Primary Care Nursing and Midwifery Scholarship Program to provide 1,850 postgraduate scholarships over four years for RNs and midwives to become nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives in primary and aged care settings. Applicants living in rural and remote communities will be given preference. The Australian College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP), the peak national organisation for nurse practitioners, will manage the program.

“We know that attracting and retaining nurses and midwives in primary and aged care has been a challenge – particularly in our regions. This program will go a long way to ensuring Australians can get the best quality care regardless of where they live," said Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney MP.

Program to address Nurse Burnout

A recent survey show seven out of 10 frontline health workers had symptoms of severe or moderate burnout, and the Commonwealth Government is investing $25.2 million in the Nurse and Midwife Health Program Australia. The first phase of the program, a telehealth (1800 001 060) service and website, are aup and running. The next phase will be in-person hubs that provide both face-to-face and telehealth services. The four hubs will cover Victoria and Tasmania, New South Wales and the ACT, South Australia and Western Australia, and Queensland and the Northern Territory. Additional regional offices will also be established. 

“As a former nurse, I understand just how challenging nursing and midwifery can be. They’re physically demanding and psychologically taxing jobs," said Assistant Minister Kearney.

Carer payments

The Government is proposing changes to carer payments to provide carers with more flexibility in relation to work and study before they lose their Carer Payment. There are currently 2.65 million carers in Australia. Under the proposed changes, carers will be able to work 100 hours over a four week period, rather than the 25 hour per week current limit, before losing their payment. In addition, travel time, education and volunteering activities will no longer be counted in the participation limit.

The Government also intends to introduce a six-month suspension period for recipients who work over the new flexible limit, so if their circumstances change, they won’t need to reapply to access the Carer Payment, and a single Temporary Cessation of Care days provision for one-off or occasional instances of exceeding the participation hours limit. The cost of the proposed program is $18.6 million over five years. The changes will commence next year, subject to the legislation being passed. 

“Under these changes, carers with have greater ability to flexibly manage their work commitments in a way that both fulfills their needs and the needs of the person they are caring for," said Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth.