NSW midwives rally over maternity service cuts
NSW midwives working across maternity services at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH) in Camperdown held a snap rally yesterday to draw attention to their grave concerns regarding planned staffing cuts. A review of the major tertiary hospital’s midwifery staffing profile will see up to 15 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions deleted at the Women and Babies […]
Nurses Award wage increase comes into effect
As previously reported, as a result of the Annual Wage Review, the Expert Panel of the Fair Work Commission announced an increase in the National Minimum Wage and Award rates of 3.5%, effective 1 July 2025. The Expert Panel reviews and determines minimum wages for Award employees each year, to ensure they are fair and […]
Latest issue of Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing (AJAN) out now
Volume 42, Issue 2 of the Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing (AJAN) is now live. As the official peer-reviewed journal of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), AJAN is committed to publishing high-quality scholarly work that is of critical relevance to nursing and midwifery audiences in professional, clinical, research, education, management, and policy roles. […]
Parents to receive super on paid parental leave from 1 July
Around 200,000 families each year are set to benefit from new laws coming into effect on 1 July to pay superannuation on Commonwealth Paid Parental Leave. The reform, legislated last year, will see the federal government pay 12% super when working parents take leave to care for their babies, helping to narrow the gender super […]
Undergraduate nurse training essential for Australian women’s sexual and reproductive health
Minimal early training opportunities for nurses and midwives in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) are limiting care options for Australian women, according to new studies. A SPHERE (Centre of Research Excellence in Sexual and Reproductive Health for Women in Primary Care) study of Australian undergraduate nursing and midwifery programs in 37 universities, published found limited […]
Greater inclusion for gender and sexually diverse people in Australian blood donation rules
Australia’s blood supply and demand exists in a fragile balance, with critical shortages especially of certain blood types, being common. Australia’s blood supply is reliant on the kindness of strangers to give up their time (and blood). Nurses and midwives would be familiar with giving blood for a wide variety of reasons including but not […]
A nurse’s experience managing extreme weather challenges in remote Australia
The 2024 report Climate-Driven Extreme Weather Events: Australian Nurses’ and Midwives’ Experiences highlights the extraordinary leadership of nurses and midwives during some of Australia’s most severe climate-driven disasters.1 This three-part ANMJ series presents case studies that showcase how these incredible healthcare professionals lead responses in times of crisis, demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and compassion when their communities were at their […]
Australia records highest ever global ranking for gender equality
Australia has climbed 11 spots in the global rankings for gender equality to now sit 13th out of 148 countries, the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Global Gender Gap Report, released this week, has revealed. Iceland topped the rankings for the 16th year running, followed by Finland, Norway, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. The global […]
Prac Payment is here: What nursing and midwifery students need to know
In its 2024-25 Budget, the Australian Government committed $427.4 million over four years to establish the Commonwealth Prac Payment to support higher education and VET students while undertaking mandatory placements. From 1 July, eligible domestic students will be able to access $331.65 per week. What is the Commonwealth Prac Payment? From 1 July 2025, the […]
How workforce reform may also be good for the planet
Australia’s healthcare system is undergoing scrutiny, facing calls for reform not only to improve patient care but also to address its significant environmental impact. Recent reports highlight how reforming the health workforce, particularly in primary care, could lead to better health outcomes for Australians and contribute to climate action. The “Unleashing the Potential of our […]