Cost of Living Pushes Nurses to the Brink
Australia’s housing affordability crisis is rapidly becoming a healthcare workforce challenge with new data revealing mounting cost of living pressure is pushing registered nurses out of metro areas and forcing them to take on more work.
The latest Workmonitor report from global talent company Randstad has found one in three Australian healthcare professionals has taken on, or is considering taking on, a second job to manage rising living costs.
Randstad’s National Director of Health and Aged Care Matt Hodges says the industry is also facing challenges due to the housing affordability crisis which is displacing nurses from the communities they serve.
“We’re seeing a growing mismatch between where nurses are needed and where they can realistically afford to live,” said Mr Hodges.
“Workforce shortages in rural areas have been recognised for some time however this issue is now intensifying in major cities where it’s becoming more difficult for nurses to be able to afford to live near the hospitals or aged care facilities where they work,” he said.
The rising cost of housing is forcing many to travel further, take on additional work or reconsider their employment altogether.
The Randstad data shows -
33% of healthcare professionals have taken on, or are considering taking on, a second job to manage rising living costs
32% have increased or plan to increase their working hours
44% have already advocated for better pay or conditions
“When nurses work longer hours or juggle multiple roles we start to worry about fatigue and what the flow-on effects for that is on patient care and overall hospital and facility outcomes,” said Mr Hodges.
33% of healthcare professionals have taken on, or are considering taking on, a second job to manage rising living costs
32% have increased or plan to increase their working hours
44% have already advocated for better pay or conditions
“When nurses work longer hours or juggle multiple roles we start to worry about fatigue and what the flow-on effects for that is on patient care and overall hospital and facility outcomes,” said Mr Hodges.
“We may reach a point where more nurses choose contract work due to higher pay which could lead to hospitals and facilities flipping from a high portion of permanent staff to a more casualised workforce.”
The potential shift comes despite the Workmonitor report showing strong levels of trust and collaboration within hospital and facility teams -
81% of healthcare professionals feel valued by their employer
75% feel trusted at work
75% describe their teams as collaborative
81% of healthcare professionals feel valued by their employer
75% feel trusted at work
75% describe their teams as collaborative
However, this is being overshadowed by economic pressures.
“We need to have greater alignment when it comes to workforce planning and housing policy to ensure essential workers who are the backbone of patient care can live within the communities they serve,” said Mr Hodges.
“We need solutions that work for both employers and nurses including key worker housing, incentives to live closer to hospitals and aged-care facilities, and more investment in affordable housing in metro areas.”
About Randstad Health & Aged Care
As a strategic recruitment and HR services partner spanning the government, not-for-profit, and commercial sectors, Randstad Health & Aged Care specialises in connecting hospitals and aged care facilities with high-quality talent.
The team sources qualified professionals across critical healthcare streams - including nursing and personal care assistants - while also providing essential staffing for front-line support, food services, and hospitality. By bridging the gap between skilled specialists and the providers who need them most, the team ensures that hospitals and facilities are equipped to maintain operational excellence and deliver superior patient care. Visit randstad.com.au/healthcare for more information.
The team sources qualified professionals across critical healthcare streams - including nursing and personal care assistants - while also providing essential staffing for front-line support, food services, and hospitality. By bridging the gap between skilled specialists and the providers who need them most, the team ensures that hospitals and facilities are equipped to maintain operational excellence and deliver superior patient care. Visit randstad.com.au/healthcare for more information.
