Managing Staff Shortages in Healthcare

In Australia, difficulties in recruiting and retaining skilled experienced healthcare staff were reported in 2002 as occurring in both the public and private sectors in this Parliamentary report. At the time it was anticipated that the situation would not improve in the foreseeable future.

In Chapter 2 of this report, titled Nurse shortages and the impact on health services, anecdotal evidence indicated that "75 per cent of nurses in hospital wards were talking about leaving, and that some hospitals reported that they experience a 30 per cent turnover of nurses each year." This report also indicated that nurses were working greater amounts of overtime, and there had been an increased use of agency nurses.

While much has changed in the world since 2002, what rings true is the increased use of agency nurses and healthcare staff. At Health Staffing we’re proud of the role our agency staff, both nurses, assistant nurses and many other role types, play in assisting Facility Managers, Hospitals and Healthcare providers when they are managing their staffing rosters.

In today's article I explore how my team and I maintain a high quality of agency staff, and suggest a number of ways you can better manage staff shortages.

Our Network of High Quality Agency Staff

Our family oriented approach has helped us attract some of the best healthcare agency staff available in NSW and is the reason we’re known as one of the leading staffing agencies for aged care, disability and healthcare services.

Meet [insert staff name]. [She/he] has been a valuable member of the Health Staff team since [insert date]. [insert staff name] relies on her work at Health Staff as her main source of income, because we pay above award rates and are proud of the family environment we nurture with our team. We actively recognise outstanding effort with our Employee of the Month program. Each month's winner is awarded a gift voucher.

We understand many of our staff have responsibilities as parents and are juggling these roles with their work duties. For this reason, our valued team members like the option to work different shift times. When they are booked for a shift, this offers some certainty in their week and they can make their childcare plans around their work commitments.

The Hidden Cost of Cancelling Agency Staff

Staffing agencies have become essential tools to streamline hiring and reduce administrative effort. When cancelling a booked shift, I encourage you to consider the admin cost associated with this decision, not just the cost of the permanent versus the agency staff member. Our agency staff are fully qualified, highly motivated, and ready to work from day one, requiring little to no catch-up time.

While a sensitive topic to broach, we do occasionally experience some of our clients cancelling their agency staff once they have been allocated into a shift. We understand that circumstances can change and a permanent staff member who was not originally available may become available. There is a short term cost for other facilities who were unable to get access to that staff member as they were already booked. There's also a less obvious and longer term cost of losing access to good quality agency staff when you are short staffed. If the good staff get their shifts cancelled too often, this negatively impacts their desire to work in agency roles as they need a reliable source of income.

We help you streamline the process for selecting and on-boarding staff so your staff can spend less time with the most burdensome aspects of hiring - sorting through applications and interviewing potential candidates.

Because our business is built on providing a high quality staff, this ensures that each staff member we provide you with is fully screened, qualified and credentialed before beginning a shift or position. This means that the staff you need arrive at the time you need them, ready to work and fully knowledgeable about the policies and procedures of your specific facility. The result is less time spent on on-the-job training and more productivity per each professional you book through us.

Using Agency Staff Gives You Greater Flexibility

To better manage staff shortages, we recommend partnering with a healthcare staffing agency to help you find qualified nurses and staff in your local area. The clinical job market is competitive, and we can manage flexibility and scalability with access to our network of reliable staff for your facility’s needs.

Working with us gives you the ability to fill a variety of job needs from the convenience of a single partner. Whether you are looking for permanent staff or a temporary replacement, we can provide you with on-call nurses, assistant nurses, disability support staff, cleaners, and laundry staff for on-call availability.

Get Access to 24/7 Support

Our 24/7 support means you can call in help any time you need it. Variations in your staffing needs due to COVID restrictions or other seasonal factors can result in a greater need for a roster of on-call agency staff who are always ready.

We give you that access, along with a larger pool of skilled workers via our recruitment networks — including staff who have already worked with you, and are ready to jump right in.

Our OnCall Team is a 24/7 phone service and can be reached on 1300 132 595
Emails are actioned between 5am-10pm Monday to Friday
From 10pm-5am please call 1300 132 595 for a quick response

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More Than a House: How Supported Independent Living Creates a Place to Thrive

July 28, 2026

For many people, home is much more than four walls and a roof. It's where routines are formed, confidence grows, friendships develop and life's everyday moments happen. For people living with disability, having the right home environment can make a significant difference to their independence, wellbeing and quality of life. That's where Supported Independent Living (SIL) comes in. Designed for NDIS participants who require support with everyday living, Supported Independent Living offers more than just accommodation. It provides a safe, supportive environment where people can develop practical life skills, work towards their personal goals and enjoy greater independence while receiving the level of support they need. Rather than focusing on what someone can't do, SIL focuses on what they can achieve with the right support beside them. A Home That Supports Independence Moving into a Supported Independent Living home is often a significant milestone. It represents the opportunity to gain greater independence while maintaining the reassurance of having experienced support workers available when needed. Every participant has unique goals, abilities and aspirations. Some may be working towards managing daily household tasks independently, while others may be focused on increasing community participation, building confidence or developing stronger social connections. SIL is designed to support these individual journeys, recognising that independence looks different for everyone. The beauty of Supported Independent Living is that support is personalised. Participants receive assistance that encourages them to do as much as they can for themselves while providing help where it is needed, creating the perfect balance between independence and support. Everyday Skills That Build Confidence Many of the skills we use every day are things we often take for granted. Preparing meals, doing laundry, shopping for groceries, managing appointments or keeping a home organised all contribute to living independently. Within a Supported Independent Living environment, these everyday activities become opportunities for learning, growth and achievement. Participants are encouraged to build practical life skills such as: Preparing healthy meals Shopping and budgeting Household cleaning and organisation Personal care routines Time management Using public transport Managing appointments Developing communication and social skills Every new skill learned contributes to greater confidence. Often, it's the small achievements that create the biggest sense of accomplishment, helping participants feel more capable and empowered in their daily lives. More Than Support—A Sense of Belonging One of the greatest benefits of Supported Independent Living is the sense of belonging it can provide. Living alongside others creates opportunities to form genuine friendships, share experiences and enjoy everyday moments together. Whether it's cooking dinner, celebrating birthdays, watching a favourite movie or heading out into the community, these shared experiences help reduce isolation and foster meaningful connections. Feeling part of a household can have a positive impact on emotional wellbeing, helping participants build confidence not only within their home but also in their wider community.

NDIS Reform : What Support Workers Need to Know

June 29, 2026

Change Is Coming — But What Does It Really Mean? The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) continues to evolve, and 2026 marks another important stage in its reform journey. With discussions around funding, eligibility, provider regulation, and service quality making headlines, it's understandable that many support workers are wondering how these changes will affect their day-to-day roles. The good news? While reforms may influence how services are delivered and managed, the heart of disability support remains the same: providing high-quality, person-centred care. Here's a closer look at the key changes and what they could mean for you. One of the major areas of reform is ensuring that NDIS funding is directed to participants who meet the scheme's eligibility criteria and receive supports that are considered "reasonable and necessary." The aim is to create greater consistency in decision-making while ensuring participants receive the supports they genuinely need. For support workers, this may result in more structured support plans, clearer participant goals, and a greater emphasis on documenting how supports help individuals achieve their outcomes. Planning That Prioritises Outcomes The NDIS is moving towards planning models that place greater importance on participant outcomes rather than simply allocating hours of support. Future plans are expected to become more streamlined, with clearer budgets and stronger links between supports and participant goals. As a support worker, this means your role extends beyond delivering care. Your observations, communication, and progress notes will become increasingly valuable in demonstrating how your support contributes to a participant's independence and quality of life. Stronger Standards for Providers The government is also strengthening provider regulation to improve safety, quality, and consistency across the disability sector. These changes include increased compliance requirements, enhanced safeguarding measures, and ongoing improvements to provider registration processes. For workers, this may mean more comprehensive onboarding, regular training, updated policies, and greater accountability in everyday practice. While this can feel like additional administration, the overall goal is to improve outcomes for participants and raise standards across the industry. Increased Accountability Across the Sector Another focus of the reforms is ensuring that NDIS funding is used appropriately and transparently. Providers are expected to maintain accurate records, demonstrate value for money, and clearly show how supports align with participant goals. As a result, support workers may notice a greater emphasis on completing shift notes, documenting progress, and maintaining high standards of communication with participants, families, and care teams. These records are no longer simply administrative tasks—they help demonstrate the quality and impact of the support being delivered. Despite the reforms, one thing remains constant: Australia continues to need compassionate, skilled, and dedicated disability support workers. As demand for disability services continues to grow, organisations are looking for professionals who communicate well, adapt to change, and genuinely care about improving the lives of others. Technology, policies, and funding models may evolve, but empathy, professionalism, and quality care will always remain at the centre of disability support. Looking Ahead The NDIS reforms are designed to strengthen the scheme, improve participant outcomes, and build greater confidence across the sector. For support workers, staying informed, embracing ongoing learning, and maintaining high standards of care will ensure you're well positioned for the future. While change can seem daunting, it also presents an opportunity to continue growing as a professional and delivering an even greater impact for the people who rely on your support every day. Further Reading For the latest information on NDIS reforms, visit: NDIS Review Final Report: https://www.ndisreview.gov.au/resources/final-report National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA): https://www.ndis.gov.au NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au

Why Sustainability in Healthcare Matters More Than Ever

By Health Staff Australia • June 1, 2026

World Environment Day | 5 June When we think about healthcare, our minds naturally go to patient care, medical innovation, and improving lives. Sustainability is not always the first thing that comes to mind. Yet increasingly, the two are becoming impossible to separate. As we mark World Environment Day on 5 June , it’s a moment to reflect on how deeply connected environmental health and human health really are. From hospitals and aged care facilities to clinics and community health services, the way we design, power, and run healthcare systems has a real impact on the world around us. The Link We Can’t Ignore Healthcare professionals are often the first to see how environmental issues translate into real patient outcomes. Poor air quality, heatwaves, pollution, and climate-related illnesses are no longer distant concerns — they are becoming part of everyday clinical reality. At the same time, healthcare itself is a resource-heavy sector. It exists to save lives, but in doing so it relies on energy, water, single-use materials, and complex supply chains that all contribute to its environmental footprint. This creates an important challenge: how do we continue delivering high-quality care while reducing harm to the environment that ultimately supports human health? More Than an Environmental Issue Sustainability in healthcare is not just about emissions or waste reduction. It also touches the human side of healthcare delivery. The environments healthcare workers operate in matter. Lighting, air quality, space design, and even access to nature or green elements can influence stress levels, fatigue, and overall wellbeing. In a sector already facing workforce shortages and burnout pressures, this becomes even more important. Sustainable design and smarter systems don’t replace clinical care — they support the people delivering it. A Shift Already Happening in Australia Across Australia, healthcare providers are beginning to rethink how facilities operate. There is growing investment in energy-efficient buildings, renewable energy sources, improved waste management systems, and more responsible procurement practices. While change is gradual, the direction is clear: sustainability is becoming part of long-term healthcare planning rather than an optional extra.