The Allan Labor Government is continuing to back Victoria's dedicated nurses and midwives so they can keep delivering the highest quality care to all Victorians.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today visited Joan Kirner Women's and Children's Hospital to announce how this year's Victorian Budget 2025/26 is supporting nurses and midwives at every stage of their careers - from training to professional development, to giving them the resources and equipment they need.
As part of a $95 million package, nurses and midwives will be backed through a range of initiatives including:
Support for 1,100 nursing and midwifery undergraduate students to work while they study
Embedding new nurse practitioner roles across Victorian public health services
Supporting newly qualified enrolled nurses entering the workforce through the Enrolled Nurse Transition to Practice Program
Delivering professional development and clinical training for 200 urgent care nurses working in rural and remote communities.
The package includes $1.3 million to expand the already successful Maternity Connect Program run out of Joan Kirner Women's and Children's Hospital - providing rural and regional midwives and nurses with clinical placements at larger hospitals to develop their skills.
It all builds on the Labor Government's strong track record of supporting our nursing and midwifery workforce - including the introduction of stronger and safer nurse to patient ratios earlier this year to help to ease pressure and deliver the highest quality care to all Victorians.
The Labor Government also delivered a massive 28.4 per cent pay rise for the nursing and midwifery workforce - this agreement will incentivise new staff to have a long career in Victoria's public hospital system.
It follows investments to grow the workforce, including the $270 million Making It Free To Study Nursing And Midwifery Initiative - with a pipeline of 5,800 more nurses and midwives joining the system since May 2022.
As stated by Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
"Our nurses and midwives are at the core of our health system - and we're backing them with the extra resources, training and the career opportunities they deserve."
As stated by Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman
"We're strengthening our dedicated health workforce so Victorians can continue to get the care they need, when and where they need it - including right here at the Joan Kirner Women's and Children's Hospital."
