In 2025, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) is focused on enacting transformative changes aimed at improving the conditions for nurses, midwives, carers, and students, all while addressing the community's healthcare needs. Building on past achievements such as wage increases and mandated care minutes, the ANMF is committed to driving reforms that enhance recruitment and retention, empower healthcare professionals to operate at their full potential, and improve patient outcomes.

A central concern is addressing the growing workforce crisis. The ANMF is pushing for various strategies to improve retention, including expanding nurse practitioner roles, increasing scholarships for nursing and midwifery students, and bolstering continuity of care models. Moreover, the organisation supports financial incentives such as allowances and exploring expanded clinical placements to ease the strain on workers. Recent advancements include the introduction of Commonwealth Prac Payments from July 2025, which will provide financial assistance to nursing and midwifery students undertaking unpaid clinical placements, helping to reduce attrition rates.

The much-anticipated National Nursing Workforce Strategy, expected to release in 2025, will guide the future of nurse workforce planning and investment. The strategy is based on findings from the Nursing Supply and Demand study (2023-2025), which highlights a looming shortfall in the nursing workforce to meet future demand. Likewise, the Midwifery Futures report, commissioned by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, reveals significant staffing gaps, particularly in rural and remote areas. The report offers 32 recommendations, including strategies to enhance the recruitment and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander midwives and support for ongoing programs like Birthing on Country.

In addition to these workforce initiatives, the ANMF advocates for the removal of collaborative arrangements for nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives, as well as the introduction of new Medicare rebates, including a 30% increase for nurse practitioner consultations. These moves aim to better support midwifery and nursing care across Australia, particularly for pregnant women and new mothers.

Looking forward, the ANMF calls for expanded funding for nurse- and midwife-led care models, improved postgraduate opportunities, and more structured student employment programs. Central to the federation’s vision is ensuring nurses and midwives can work to their full scope of practice, an approach that has been shown to improve job satisfaction and retention. By supporting these comprehensive strategies, the ANMF is dedicated to building a sustainable, skilled workforce to meet the healthcare demands of the future.