Healthcare employment continues to grow, but recruitment pressures have eased. The number of vacancies per 1,000 healthcare jobs has fallen from a post-pandemic peak of 46 in 2022 to 24 in 2026, indicating a better balance between workforce supply and employer demand.

A look at US healthcare careers offering strong job growth without requiring a four-year college degree.

The Medical Council of New Zealand's annual Workforce Survey provides one of the most comprehensive snapshots of the country's medical workforce.

Drawing on the 2025 NHWA data release, the report analyses the distribution, density and composition of the health and care workforce across regions and income groups, highlighting persistent disparities in workforce availability.

Which countries are building the strongest nursing workforce? OECD data reveals how graduate pipelines and practising nurse numbers have changed across major healthcare systems over the past decade.

New UK rules prioritise domestic doctors for specialty training, easing competition for NHS posts as governments rethink training capacity limits.

New Zealand has announced the establishment of the South Island’s first Rural Training Hub, which will be based on the West Coast and support the development of future doctors, nurses and midwives in rural communities

Medscapes international physician mobility guides cover overseas practice, lifestyle, visas, workforce trends and international medical careers all around the world.

New analysis from ADP Research shows healthcare is driving hiring across the U.S. labour market, accounting for the majority of recent private-sector job growth

Ageing populations, chronic disease, workforce retirements, and expanding community care are driving sustained demand for health and care workers, while ...

With International Women's Day on March 8, it’s important to highlight a key workforce statistic: women make up over 75% of the health and social care workforce across many OECD countries.

Explore global health and medicine study options. Compare countries, courses, universities and entry pathways to support your journey into a healthcare career.

Learn how to register as a doctor or nurse in Australia, including key steps, requirements, and links to official registration pathways and guidance.

Explore a world of health workforce data with the World Health Organisation’s Global Health Observatory

Foreign-trained doctors now represent about one-fifth of the OECD medical workforce. Countries including Australia, NZ, the UK, Canada and the US rely heavily on international recruitment.

CRANAplus delivers short face-to-face and online courses and webinars, providing nurses, midwives, and other health practitioners with extra skills

OECD countries tend to rely less on foreign-trained nurses than doctors, but nursing workforce growth is still driven by foreign-trained nurses in many countries.

The UK Government provides official guidance on health worker visas, including recent rule changes affecting eligibility and working in the UK.

Health NZ / Te Whatu Ora provides recruitment and immigration information for those considering a move to New Zealand.

Canada’s health workforce has faced shortages for some time. Read more about Canada's health workforce and foreign Credential Recognition

Explore US healthcare occupations including education pathways, salary data and job outlook for roles across medicine, nursing and allied health.

Doctors practising in Australia must complete at least 50 hours of continuing professional development each year through accredited CPD programs.

OECD data show doctor supply rose 38% over two decades, reaching 3.9 per 1,000 people. Australia and NZ saw stronger growth, while the UK and US remain closer to average.

Explore NHS careers using an interactive tool that matches your interests and qualifications with health roles across the UK’s national health system.

Data from the August 2025 quarter reveals that Australia’s health labour market remains resilient, with strong employment growth in VIC and QLD easing vacancy pressures. High-demand medical and clinical roles continue to drive recruitment, while management, administrative, and support positions are stabilising. Vacancy-to-employment ratios are easing, indicating supply is gradually catching up with demand. Regional and remote areas remain a priority...

The HWSP offers scholarships and bursaries (up to A$10,000) for medical, nursing, midwifery, allied health, dental, and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander health professionals working in rural and remote Australia. Administered by the Rural Doctors Network (RDN) for the Australian Government, it has multiple rounds each year. Round 2 for 2025‑26 is open 1 Oct–12 Nov 2025, with future rounds (3 and 4) planned for 2026. Courses must commence within four months.

AHPRA reports it has registered 229 specialist international medical graduates (SIMGs) through its Expedited Specialist Pathway, with 86% being placed in identified workforce-shortage areas such as outer-metropolitan and regional locations. Of the applicants, 87 % were UK-qualified. The initiative aims to fast-track high-quality specialists to address recruitment gaps in key clinical fields and underserved regions.

NSW Health’s Special Commission Inquiry highlights aged care bed shortages and hospital flow challenges. It recommends improved rostering and career pathways, multidisciplinary care models, addressing clinical placement bottlenecks, procurement reform and better contracting of external providers. The report signals strong potential for workforce innovation, job creation, and strategic partnerships across service delivery and recruitment - helping to ensure access to universal healthcare in NSW.

The territory government has welcomed 317 new junior doctors, nurses, and midwives to NT Health hospitals this year as part of a range of training programs.

BASS Coast Health (BCH) has welcomed the first of two intakes of Graduate Nurses and Midwives for 2025.
 A total of 20 Registered Nursing graduates, two Midwifery graduates and two Enrolled Nursing graduates will join BCH over two intakes, with the second intake to start in April.
 The first intake of 12 nurses includes seven current staff members who have continued their education to become a Registered Nurse. The other five graduates are new to BCH, with one relocating from Queensland.

 The February intake of graduates have two, six-month rotations through Theatre, Emergency Department, District Nursing, Haemodialysis, Acute and Sub-Acute, and a 12 month rotation in Midwifery, as well as professional development days. Kylie Walker has been with BCH since 2019, starting in Administration and then Medical Records, before becoming a Ward Clerk while studying to become an Enrolled Nurse. She was also part of BCH’s COVID Testing Team and gained experience testing in BCH’s testing tents, during community outbreaks. Since graduating, Kylie has been working on the Kodowlinun Acute Ward while studying to become a Registered Nurse. “I enjoy supporting people when they can be at their most vulnerable, and I’m looking forward to my rotations in the Emergency Department and District Nursing,” said Kylie. Will Brusamarello returned to his hometown of Wonthaggi after studying a double degree in nursing and paramedicine at Australian Catholic University, Ballarat. “It’s nice to be able to come home and care for my community,” he said, ahead of his rotations in the Emergency Department and Kodowlinun Acute Ward. Zoe Atkins has returned to BCH after enjoying her placement in the L. Rigby Cancer Centre last year, while studying at Federation University. “I just like all the people and also the diversity of experiences that Bass Coast Health offers,” she said. Zoe will undertake placements in our Sub-Acute ward and Emergency Department. “I love nursing because I love socialising, I love helping people and I love being on my feet,” she said. “I also love work that is fast-paced and hands-on.”

Each quarter, Medical Jobs explores the latest job data from The Internet Vacancy Index and the ABS Labour Force - providing a snapshot of employment growth and demand in Australia’s health and medical labour market. This quarter we note seasonal increases in job vacancies but lower year-on-year volumes. Employment continues to expand across most health and medical occupations, but contractions are observed in some areas. Read more here.

The National Nursing Forum 2025, hosted by the Australian College of Nursing, will be held from July 23–25 at the National Convention Centre in Canberra. Under the theme \"Courage, Compassion, Connection – Empowering Nurses for the Future,\" the event will cover workforce development, digital health, and clinical innovations. Nurses, students, and recruiters can gain valuable insights and networking opportunities. Register or read more here.

At the start of 2025, NT Health welcomed 317 new junior doctors, nurses, and midwives. With strong demand for health professionals in remote areas, NT Health hospitals are supporting career development and training to strengthen regional care. Junior doctors can complete post graduate specialty qualifications and graduate nurses undertake intensive orientation. New recruits said the Territory offers fantastic opportunities to build skills and connect with communities. Read more here

Healthscope’s collapse has sparked concern across Australia’s healthcare system, with state governments seeking federal assurances on private hospital capacity and continuity of care. The situation underscores the fragility of private hospital models and highlights the need for coordinated responses to safeguard service continuity, support workforce redeployment, and strengthen public-private collaboration to ensure ongoing access to quality care across the system.

From unmanned emergency clinics in the outback to nurse-led mobile care on remote islands, new tech-enabled models are reshaping healthcare in rural Australia and New Zealand. With advances in telehealth and satellite connectivity like Starlink, these innovations could improve service access and workforce sustainability. This post explores recent public and private initiatives and what they mean for healthcare professionals, jobseekers and employers working in remote health.

A new Memorandum of Understanding between the UK and Australia will enable environmental health professionals to work across both countries. This move comes amid growing workforce shortages in Australia, where many local councils and public health agencies struggle to recruit Environmental Health Officers (EHOs). Endorsed by Flinders University’s Professor Kirstin Ross, the agreement opens international career pathways and strengthens environmental health capacity in both nations.

The 2025 - 26 Federal, Victorian and NT budgets feature record investments in public hospitals, infrastructure, and health services - offering fresh opportunities for healthcare professionals, jobseekers, and employers. From new hospitals to expanded mental health facilities, we explore how these funding boosts could impact workforce conditions, staffing levels, and recruitment needs in the years ahead.

KPMG Australia’s latest analysis reveals major growth across the health workforce and care economy between 2014 and 2024. Aged & Disabled Carers nearly doubled (+98%), Allied Health Workers rose 83.9%, and Nurses & Midwives grew 29%. Audiologists, Speech Pathologists, Psychologists, and Nutritional Professionals also grew significantly. Driven by an ageing population and rising personal care and mental health needs, the data points to sustained future demand across Australia’s health sector.

AHPRA reports that over 100 GPs from the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand have been registered to work in Australia via their fast-tracked pathway launched six months ago. A total of 127 specialists—including 125 GPs, one anaesthetist and one psychiatrist - have joined the workforce. The process prioritises doctors already in Australia and ready to begin work, helping to ease shortages while maintaining registration standards. Read more here.

The 2025–26 Federal Budget delivers major investment in Australia’s health workforce, with expanded GP training, rural placements, nursing scholarships, and new support for allied and mental health roles. Targeted incentives aim to boost recruitment and retention—especially in primary care, aged care, and regional settings. Explore the key budget measures and what they mean for health and medical jobseekers, employers, and recruiters.

Rural Health West’s immersion programs give medical and allied health students firsthand experience of what it’s really like to live and work in rural WA. From the Wheatbelt to the Kimberley, students build skills, make connections, and often discover a lasting passion for country practice. It’s a grounded, eye-opening way to explore rural careers and tackle workforce gaps. Watch the highlights or explore more WA student programs here.

With the release of the 2025–26 Australian Federal Budget, the Department of Health and Aged Care has published various factsheets detailing the health-related aspects of the budget, including Strengthening Medicare initiatives. Read more about the $662.6 million investment to strengthen Australia’s health workforce, key measures to grow GP training places, better salary and leave support for trainees, expanded medical education, and new nursing and midwifery scholarships.

Jobs and Skills Australia’s latest Occupation Shortage Report shows fill rates and total applicant numbers have increased. While employers are finding it easier to fill vacancies amid a cooling labour market, a growing suitability gap suggests finding the right candidate remains a challenge. We explore the Occupation Shortage List to see which health and medical roles are currently in shortage across different AU States and Territories.

The South Australian Government is expanding mental health services at Flinders Medical Centre, increasing the number of mental health inpatient beds and building a new 12-bed Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit. Their \"For Work. For Life\" recruitment campaign hopes to attract mental health professionals from interstate and overseas to address workforce shortages, and presents significant opportunities for job seekers while encouraging a growing pool of qualified candidates for employers.

Explore our comprehensive directory of Professional Associations representing Allied Health professions across Australia. Additionally, we provide a detailed list of the Allied Health professions that are governed by their own National Board and regulated under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

The 2025 Value-Based Health Care Congress, held May 1–2 at Fed Square in Melbourne, will explore opportunities to transform and strengthen the sustainability of our health system, including programs and policies that prioritise patient outcomes over service volume. Gain valuable insights into emerging care models, workforce needs, innovation, and policy reform. Key themes include outcome measurement, AI, and workforce sustainability. Registration and tickets now available.

Job ads volumes for health and medical occupations in Australia remain above pre-pandemic levels, but they continue to decline since their peak in October 2023, with Nursing and Midwifery seeing the sharpest drops. Workforce demand is stabilising after strong recruitment in previous years, and health sector employment continues to grow nationwide. However, trends vary by state and occupation, highlighting some areas of contraction and ongoing shortages or retention challenges.

BaptistCare Caloola Aged Care Home in Wagga Wagga has welcomed three service robots—Sadie, Skippy, and Gretal—as part of a project exploring robotics in aged care. The robots assist with tasks like cleaning, laundry, and concierge services. The initiative aims to ease staff workload, boost resident interaction, and evaluate how robotics can support the aged care sector through innovative, evidence-based solutions.

Whether you are looking to develop or advance your Nursing career in Australia, explore professional development options, or manage nurse training and retention, stay informed with our quick links guide. Access essential key resources for nurse registration, wages, and upskilling to support your career growth and the success of your team.

Senior emergency physician Dr. Megan Brooks offers a firsthand, longitudinal account of the systemic pressures facing clinicians and emergency departments in Australia’s public hospitals. Testifying before a parliamentary committee on ambulance ramping and ED overcrowding in South Australia, she reflects on the challenges she has faced throughout her decades-long career, sharing candid insights into the realities of frontline emergency care and working in leadership roles.

The Kangan Institute has unveiled its Health and Community Centre of Excellence in Broadmeadows, Melbourne. The state-of-the-art facility offers hands-on training in nursing, pathology, aged care, and more, featuring interactive classrooms, simulation labs, and immersive theatre with virtual reality learning. Expecting over 1,000 students in 2025, and double by 2026, the facility is part of broader efforts to address national workforce shortages while enhancing local workforce development.

The Outreach Student Placement Program (OSPP) offers medical, nursing, and allied health students in NSW/ACT the chance to shadow healthcare providers in rural areas. With over 100 placements available in various disciplines such as obstetrics, optometry, and Indigenous health, students can gain hands-on experience. All travel, accommodation, and subsistence costs are covered. Apply by 17 March 2025 for this exciting opportunity.

The 2024 Medical Training Survey highlights positive trends in Australia’s medical training. More trainees report improved workplace culture, better clinical supervision, and stronger employer support for study leave. Regional GP pathways are gaining popularity and flexible training arrangements are increasing. Overall, satisfaction with training and workplace conditions continues to improve, although access to mental health support has reduced since last year. Read more here.

The VIC Government has amended the Safe Patient Care Act to enhance nurse staffing ratios. Key changes include a 1:1 nurse-to-occupied-bed ratio in ICUs, improved morning shift staffing in ED resuscitation areas, a reduction of midwife-to-patient ratios to 1:4 on night shifts, and the introduction of in-charge nurses during night shifts in standalone high dependency and coronary care units. These reforms are supported by a $101.3 million investment package for additional staff.

Whether you are a Nurse looking for fair pay or an employer wanting to stay competitive, understanding the various pay structures for the Nursing workforce is essential. Explore different pay settings for Nurses working in Australia, including Awards, Enterprise Agreements and employment contracts. With links to key resources, use our tables to check your role classification, base pay rate, and the applicable award or agreement for your state/territory and sector.

Equip Learning offers free, online modules designed for those interested in the aged care sector in Australia. These modules are suitable for both newcomers and experienced workers, covering contemporary aged care topics. Accessible on various devices, they take around 10 minutes to complete, with free certificates available. It's ideal for current or future employees, families, and aged care providers. See more details or enrol here.

For international doctors, or those considering a career in medicine in Australia, there are several pathways to practice. With a high demand for doctors in regional areas, as well as attractive salaries, Australia's health care sector presents exciting opportunities for medical professionals to build a rewarding career. Check out our step-by-step guide for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and helpful resources for building your medical career in Australia.

The Tertiary Health Study Subsidy Program offers financial support to midwifery, nursing, medical, paramedical, and allied health students and graduates committed to working with NSW Health. Eligible students commencing studies in 2025–26 can receive up to $12,000 over three years, while graduates starting employment with NSW Health may receive a one-off $8,000 payment. Applications are now open.

Online job vacancies for health and medical occupations across Australia remained steady in November 2024 compared to the previous month. Most occupation groups saw minor declines, while vacancies for Medical Practitioners rose significantly in all states and territories. Read more in our full report.

Australian Healthcare Week (AHW) takes place at the ICC Sydney on 19–20 March 2025, featuring 200+ exhibitors and 15 dedicated programs. The platform aims to bring together many segments of the healthcare community. Access panels, demos and case studies in Aged Care, Workforce & Wellness, Surgical Innovation, Sustainability in Health, Data Analytics, Patient Experience and more. Register for your free ticket here.

This week we look at data from the ABS's August 2024 Employee Earnings report to uncover key trends. Median weekly earnings for Health Professionals (+1.44%), Health and Welfare Support Workers (+3.82%), and Carers and Aides (+5.03%) highlight career growth, though declining hourly rates suggest longer working hours. Northern Territory leads in median weekly earnings ($1,540), while Tasmania trails ($1,161). Read more insights into health industry employee earnings here.

Queensland’s James Cook University enters the 2025 study year with strong demand for traditionally popular courses such as Medicine (3144 first preference applications), Dentistry (867), and Nursing (431). They are seeing an increase in popularity for first-preference applications to study Nursing (up 15%). Cairns enjoyed significant increases in numbers compared to last year for Pharmacy (up 73%), while Medical Sciences was one of Townsville’s largest growth disciplines (up 15%).

Forty new doctors have started 2025 internships at Bendigo Health, to train in areas such as general medicine, surgery, emergency, renal, oncology, orthopaedics, cardiology, geriatrics, and urology. Interns are supported by strong mentorship, community ties, and educational opportunities. The program fosters long-term careers with many interns having completed clinical rotations at Bendigo hospital during medical school, and most of last year’s interns staying on at Bendigo Health.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) will release a new occupation classification standard to replace the ANZSCO version, previously shared with Statistics New Zealand. Each country will create its own version while ensuring comparability and data integrity. This update reflects changing labour markets and emerging occupations. The new Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) 2024, version 1.0, will be released on Friday, 6 December 2024.

Many aged care workers will receive an award wage increase from 1 January 2025. Find out if you’re eligible for a pay rise and access helpful tools on the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website. These award wage increases apply to assistants in nursing, personal care workers, home care workers, recreational activities officers (lifestyle workers), and ancillary staff on the Aged Care Award 2010 and the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHADS Award).

We explore the Jobs and Skills Report 2024, with insights for health sector recruitment and career planning. While overall employment growth has eased over the last year, the Health and Social Assistance industry is now Australia's largest employing industry and is projected to be the highest contributor to employment growth across all states and territories over the next decade, with a high proportion of \"emerging roles\" reported.

QLD Health will open its application portal for their 2025 Registered Nursing and Midwifery Graduate Program on Monday 20 January 2025, and close on Sunday 16 February 2025. There is also an application round mid-year. Find out more about the program and this life changing career.

More doctors have joined the Australian health system in the last two years than at any other time in the past decade. The 2022-23 cohort of 8,356 new doctors was the largest influx of new doctors in more than a decade, and that record was beaten in 2023-24, when 9,490 new doctors registered to practise. The boom in new doctors has been driven by record numbers of internationally qualified doctors moving to Australia.

Global employment and labour force participation rates remain at record highs, while job vacancies have steadily declined to pre-pandemic levels. Persistent structural issues remain, such as aging populations and weak productivity growth. Unemployment rates rose for all economies apart from France and Italy in the first 3 quarters of 2024. Compared to other OECD countries, Australia experienced the highest earnings growth in the June quarter 2024.

Month-on-month online job vacancies for health and medical occupations remained steady in October 2024 (3-month average), however the Australian health sector is experiencing a notable contraction compared to the previous year. Year-on-year, online health and medical job vacancies are generally in decline - but volumes are moderating and there are pockets of job market resilience across different states and occupational groups. Read more here.

Australia is seeing a rise in trainee GPs, reversing a seven-year decline, with a 19.8% increase in applicants for the Australian General Practice Training program. The program ensures over half of trainees spend time in rural areas, addressing a shortage of GPs in remote regions. However, some worry the increase is a temporary fix. Rural areas face a maldistribution of doctors, and there are calls for more training places to meet long-term health care needs.