‘No alternative’: NSW healthcare workers to strike on Thursday

An estimated 20,000 NSW healthcare workers, ranging from paramedics, allied health, cleaners, and security, will walk off the job on Thursday to demand fairer pay, recognition and more resources. The industrial action by Health Services Union (HSU) members will see workers stop work for up to four hours, between 10am and 2pm, at hospitals and […]

Aged care Work Value case – The aged care sector stakeholder consensus statement

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety found that wages and conditions in the aged care sector need to improve to ensure attraction and retention of a suitably skilled and qualified workforce. In addition to recommending that unions bring work value applications in the Fair Work Commission, the Royal Commission also recommended the […]

Budget 2022: No real reform for aged care says ANMF

The 2022 federal budget shows that Prime Minister Scott Morrison has failed to do his job to deliver urgently needed reforms in health and aged care, according to the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF). Other than modest funding for some preventative health initiatives and increased paid parental leave (PPL) provisions, the union says last […]

New report reinforces need for transparency in aged care funding

On the eve of the Federal Budget, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) is urgently calling on the Morrison Government to provide accountability and transparency for the billions in additional public funding poured into the troubled aged care sector. The call comes after a new report released today revealed the financial and tax practices […]

What are the work values of Generation Z nurses?

Understanding work values may be helpful in developing and informing strategies to effectively attract and retain this emerging workforce in nursing. A shortage in the nursing workforce is not a new topic. With the substantial impact of COVID-19 on nurses and the ageing of the nursing workforces, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) estimates the […]

Survey reveals 97% of aged care workers yet to receive $800 bonus payment

A survey of more than 1,000 United Workers Union (UWU) aged care members has found that 97% of staff are yet to receive the Morrison Government’s promised bonus payment of up to $800. The Government announced the program at the start of February, outlining how aged care workers including nurses, personal care workers, cleaners and […]

PPE, plastics, and the environment: A cautionary note

The effects of discarded plastics on the environment have been well documented in recent years. We’ve all seen images of vast rafts of rubbish in our oceans, marine debris in our waterways and litter on our shorelines and streets. Plastic items, made from fossil fuels, has been found in the deepest ocean trenches, within Antarctic […]

Explainer: Early career nurses and midwives and notifications

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) led national Early Career Nurse and Midwife working group aims to support early career nurses and midwives to find meaningful employment and transition support. Worryingly, the working group recently identified an increase in notifications being made against newly graduated nurses and midwives. Like other professions, nurses and midwives […]

COVID-19 death toll four times higher in lower-income countries than rich ones

Three million people have died since the Omicron variant emerged, shattering perceptions that the pandemic is over according to a report published by Oxfam on behalf of the People’s Vaccine Alliance. According to the report the COVID-19 death toll has been four times higher in lower-income countries than in rich ones. While the pandemic has […]

Supporting early career nurses and midwives

The national Early Career Nurse and Midwife working group have been working together for many years now with the common goal of supporting early career nurses and midwives to find meaningful employment and transition support. The group has recently achieved a number of important outcomes. As the Chair, I feel honoured to support this dedicated […]