Thousands of nursing graduates in Victoria are confronting a troubling employment landscape as they near completion of their degrees. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation has reported that over 2,000 graduate nurses and midwives will not secure positions within the public health system in 2026, a significant increase from approximately 350 this year. This situation arises despite the state government covering their university fees to expand the healthcare workforce.
In a communication to student members on Friday, the federation criticized the government for “poor planning and short-sightedness.” Union officials are urging the Allan government to implement an emergency support package amounting to tens of millions of dollars to ensure that these graduates find employment in their field.
Concerns Over Job Availability
Maddy Harradence, the state secretary of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, emphasized the necessity of employing these newly qualified professionals. “It is absurd to fund nursing and midwifery degrees and then not employ them when they graduate,” Harradence stated.
The current job market for nurses is further complicated by external factors. Professor Beth Jacob, head of the Australian Catholic University’s School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, noted that the ongoing cost-of-living crisis has led many part-time nurses to take on additional shifts. This trend, coupled with delayed retirements, has resulted in fewer positions becoming available for new graduates.
“There’s less positions becoming available,” Jacob explained. She added that many students are feeling anxious and uncertain about their future prospects in the nursing field.
The growing number of graduates without job offers raises concerns not only for the individuals affected but also for the overall healthcare system in Victoria. The decline in available positions could lead to increased strain on existing healthcare workers and may hinder the state’s ability to meet the healthcare needs of its population.
As the situation unfolds, the call for immediate action from the government becomes increasingly critical. Ensuring that newly qualified nurses and midwives can transition into the workforce is essential for maintaining a robust public health system in Victoria.
