Home / Health / NSW Hospitals Brace for $100M+ Nurse Shortage Bill
NSW Hospitals Brace for $100M+ Nurse Shortage Bill
3 Jan
Summary
- NSW health system spent over $100 million on agency nurses and midwives.
- Agency staff costs nearly doubled from $55 million to $102 million.
- Northern NSW saw an 1100% increase in agency spending.
New South Wales is facing a significant financial burden due to ongoing nurse and midwife shortages, with taxpayer funds exceeding $100 million annually to cover temporary health worker needs. This escalating expense is a direct result of hospitals' increased reliance on costly, short-term agency staff to fill critical gaps in their medical teams.
The total expenditure on agency nurses and midwives has seen a sharp escalation, nearly doubling from $55 million in the 2023 financial year to $102 million in 2024. This substantial increase underscores the growing challenge in maintaining adequate staffing levels within the state's healthcare facilities.
The Northern NSW Local Health District reported the most dramatic rise, with agency costs soaring from $2.1 million to $24.4 million over 12 months, marking an 1100% increase. Similarly, the Murrumbidgee Local Health District incurred a bill of $17.1 million, more than double its previous year's spending, indicating a widespread issue across the state.
