The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation has welcomed the Albanese Government’s pledge to strengthen the nation’s healthcare system – including 400 additional nursing scholarships and an $8.5 Billion funding boost for 18 million bulk billed GP visits every year.

Under the package, nine out of 10 GP visits will be bulk billed by 2030, boosting the number of fully bulk billed practices to around 4,800 nationally – triple the current number.

The $8.5 billion Medicare commitment also includes $617 million to produce more nurses and doctors. The investment includes $10.5 million over two years for 400 additional scholarships for nurses and midwives to undertake postgraduate study to extend their skills and qualifications and attain endorsement as a nurse practitioner or endorsed midwife.

“We know that highly skilled nurses and midwives are a critical part of the solution to fix the current problems in our health system and to ensure it can meet the needs of all Australians now and into the future,” ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler said.

“We continue to call on the government to support the work of nurses and midwives, allowing them to work to their full scope of practice and delivering best health outcomes across the community.”

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