6 December 2000

AIHW Preliminary Nursing Workforce Data Released

National employment of nurses continues to fall, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) Nursing Labour Force 1999 Preliminary Report.

Despite the fall in overall employment of nurses, the report shows that the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) nurses employed in public hospitals remains unchanged from the previous year (at 78 300 FTEs). Private hospital FTE employment increased from 24 567 in 1997-98 to 25 670 in 1998-99.

Part-time employment by nurses has increased from 42.9% to 44.1% of the nursing workforce.

The report also indicates that in 1998-99 there was a 2.3% increase in patient admissions but a 1.7% decline in patient days in public hospitals.

The report provides comprehensive data on the nursing labour force in Australia including information on working patterns, registration and enrolment numbers, employment by specialty, skills shortages and educational information.

The Nursing Labour Force 1999 Preliminary Report can be accessed on-line at the AIHW website http://www.aihw.gov.au - go to their on-line publications catalogue.