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

Checklist: How to Prepare for Your First Role as a Support Worker

March 2, 2026
Starting your first role as a support worker is an exciting step in your healthcare career. At Health Staff Australia, we understand that stepping into a new environment — whether in aged care, disability support or community services — can feel both rewarding and overwhelming. The key to success lies in preparation, professionalism and the right mindset. Before your first shift, it’s important to ensure all compliance requirements are completed and up to date. This typically includes your National Police Check, Working With Children Check (if required), NDIS Worker Screening Check where applicable, current First Aid and CPR certification, relevant qualifications, immunisation records, proof of ID and your right to work documentation. Having your paperwork organised not only prevents delays but also demonstrates reliability and readiness from day one. Understanding your role is equally important. Take time to carefully review your employment contract, position description and any client care plans provided. Familiarise yourself with workplace policies, reporting structures and documentation procedures. If you are unsure about any aspect of your responsibilities, clarify this with your consultant or supervisor before your first shift. Confidence comes from knowing exactly what is expected of you. Practical preparation can significantly reduce first-day nerves. Confirm your shift time and location, plan your travel route in advance and allow extra time for unforeseen delays. Lay out your uniform the night before and pack essentials such as photo identification, a notebook, pen and water bottle. Presenting yourself professionally and arriving early sets a strong first impression with both colleagues and clients.  Refreshing key skills ahead of your assignment can also make a difference. Reviewing manual handling techniques, infection control practices, documentation standards and effective communication approaches will help you feel competent and capable. Even experienced support workers benefit from revisiting best-practice guidelines before entering a new workplace.
February is often called the month of love — a time to reflect on connection, kindness and care for

Supporting Independence: Encouraging Daily Living Skills with Care, Compassion and Love

February 2, 2026
Independence Looks Different for Everyone Living independently is something many people take for granted. For individuals living with disability, mobility challenges or learning difficulties, independence may look very different — and that’s okay. Some clients live in their own homes with regular support visits, while others live in supported or community accommodation. No matter the setting, independence isn’t about doing everything alone. It’s about having choice, control and the right level of support to live a fulfilling life. Daily living skills can include: Preparing meals Managing medication Personal care and hygiene Using public transport Attending appointments Engaging in social and community activities With the right support, these everyday tasks become opportunities for growth, confidence and connection. Why Supporting Independence Matters When individuals feel empowered to make decisions and participate in daily life, their wellbeing improves significantly. Independence helps reduce anxiety, strengthens self-esteem and encourages community participation. Without consistent and thoughtful support, individuals may experience increased stress, vulnerability or social withdrawal. In some cases, a lack of appropriate guidance can place people at risk of exploitation or unsafe situations.  That’s why providing reliable, person-centred support is so important — especially in home care environments.

Supporting Our Care Workers: How Health Staff Australia Prioritizes Training, Wellbeing, and Career Growth

January 5, 2026
Supporting Our Care Workers: How Health Staff Australia Prioritizes Training, Wellbeing, and Career Growth In 2026, the landscape of healthcare continues to evolve rapidly, and the demand for compassionate, skilled nurses and support workers in disability and aged care has never been greater. At Health Staff Australia, we recognize that the heart of exceptional care lies in the hands of our dedicated workforce.  That’s why supporting our care workers through comprehensive training, wellbeing initiatives, and meaningful career growth opportunities remains central to everything we do.