- More than 350 medical interns and 1,200 nursing and midwife graduates have started work across WA Health already this year
- Strong intake builds on workforce growth in recent years
- Number of doctors and nurses in WA has grown more than 36 per cent since 2021
- Inaugural Oral Health Therapist Graduate Development Program has welcomed six new oral health therapists
The Cook Government is continuing to strengthen Western Australia's health workforce, welcoming more than 1,500 new doctors, nurses, and midwives already in 2026.
In the past few weeks, WA Health has welcomed more than 350 medical interns, over 1,200 nursing and midwifery graduates, six oral health therapists, eight dentist graduates, and 67 Registered Medical Officers beginning or continuing their employment across the system.
The new health professionals are joining hospitals and health services across metropolitan, regional, and remote Western Australia, enhancing access to high-quality patient care for the State's growing communities.
The strong intake builds on workforce growth in recent years. In 2023-24, a total of 1,194 nursing and midwifery graduates joined WA Health, with the system recording full-time equivalent (FTE) increases of 827 nurses and midwives, and more than 348 medical and 291 allied health professionals.
In 2024-25 the growth continued, with 1,230 nursing and midwifery graduates joining WA Health, with an increase of 1,162 nursing and midwifery FTE, 380 allied health FTE, and 473 medical FTE.
WA Health has also seen consistent growth in medical intern numbers, with 360 interns joining in 2024, and 367 in 2025, placing the system on track for a further increase in 2026.
To strengthen the dental workforce, WA Health has introduced the Oral Health Therapist Graduate Development Program, which has welcomed six new oral health therapists in its inaugural year this year, and eight new dentists into the Dental Officer Graduate Development Program now in its second year. Both programs provide structured learning, supported clinical placements in both metropolitan and regional areas and dedicated peer support.
As stated by Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
"We are proud of the hardworking doctors, nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, dentists, and oral health therapists that make our public health system, and we're delighted that so many are choosing to start and build their careers right here in Western Australia.
"The Cook Labor Government is committed to growing our health workforce so Western Australians can access the care they need, when they need it, no matter where they live.
"I would like to extend a warm welcome to the newest health workers; we are so happy that you have chosen WA Health as your place of employment and wish you all the best as you progress through your rewarding careers."
