Australia’s health workforce: Implications of change

Abstract

Australia has long been a popular destination for international health professionals; both for short-term travel and opportunities for professional work experience, and for migration. As is occurring in many countries, the Australian health workforce is currently undergoing reform. In 2005 a Productivity Commission report into the workforce highlighted the ongoing shortage of health professionals across Australia and the critical limitations in the availability of clinical education as universities increased enrolments (Productivity Commission, 2005). The report encouraged governments to further examine health policy nationally and develop new models of care. The ageing population, the decre..