Politics · Australia · 2 hrs ago
Queensland health workforce plan remains unreleased a year after gap analysis
A year after a workforce analysis was released, Queensland’s government has yet to publish its health staffing plan.
The analysis said the state would need 46,000 healthcare workers by 2032.
It also projected a shortfall of up to 6,000 doctors, while one in five registered health workers was at or nearing retirement age.
Doctors’ groups warn that hospitals and other health projects could be undermined if there are not enough staff to run them.
They say shortages could particularly affect remote and regional communities as demand for care grows.
Health Minister Tim Nicholls says the government is still working on the plan and wants to understand pressures in the system before publishing it.
He has not given a firm release date, so when the plan will be published remains unclear.
Queensland’s health workforce plan remains unreleased a year after a report found 46,000 healthcare workers would be needed by 2032.
Health Minister Tim Nicholls said in February that a comprehensive workforce action plan would be released this year, but he has not set a firm deadline.
Doctors warn that staff shortages could undermine new health infrastructure and worsen access to care in regional and remote areas.
The gap analysis found that 20 per cent of Queensland’s registered health workforce was at or approaching retirement age.
Opposition Leader Steven Miles said the government should deliver the plan it promised.
- Who
- The Queensland government, led by Premier David Crisafulli, has not released the plan. Doctors and Opposition Leader Steven Miles are calling for it.
- What
- A comprehensive health workforce action plan remains unreleased, a year after a report found a major staffing gap.
- When
- The report’s first anniversary was November 10, 2026. Nicholls said in February that a plan would be released this year.
- Where
- Queensland, Australia.
- Why
- The plan is intended to address workforce needs; the report said 46,000 healthcare workers would be needed by 2032.
Queensland government
Doctors and Opposition Leader Steven Miles
Timing of the plan
Queensland government
Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the government was still working on the plan and wanted to understand system pressures before concluding it.
Doctors and Opposition Leader Steven Miles
Doctors and Miles say the plan is overdue and should be released.
Need for action
Queensland government
Nicholls said the government wanted to get the plan right so people could have faith in it.
Doctors and Opposition Leader Steven Miles
Doctors warn staffing gaps could undermine health infrastructure and care, while Miles says the government should fulfil its commitment.
The Queensland Health Workforce Gap Analysis Report was released, finding 46,000 healthcare workers would be needed by 2032.
Health Minister Tim Nicholls said a comprehensive workforce action plan would be released this year.
The report reached its one-year anniversary, with the workforce plan still unreleased.
- Workforce needed
- 46,000 healthcare workers by 2032
- Doctor shortfall
- Up to 6,000 doctors by 2032
- Retirement risk
- 20 per cent of the registered health workforce was at or approaching retirement age
- Nurse retirement risk
- 18 per cent of nurses were at or approaching retirement age
- Report anniversary
- November 10, 2026
What people are saying
Sadly, Queenslanders have yet to see that plan.
These projects will not live up to their potential if we don’t have enough staff to actually deliver health care to Queenslanders
When we’ve concluded all of that investigation, we’ll have a proper workforce plan that people can have faith in.
There’s no reason why it should have taken this long and no reason why it shouldn’t be released.