Elmo: Tackling the workforce crisis in Australian healthcare
- Australian Health & Aged Care
- May 1
- 2 min read
Australia’s healthcare sector is facing an urgent workforce challenge. With an ageing population and increasing healthcare demands, the need for skilled workers is acute.
HR and business leaders across the sector must improve practices and technology to ensure a sustainable future for their organisations.
The growing skills shortage
Australia’s healthcare sector is already grappling with a shortage of skilled workers. For example, The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has projected a significant shortfall in the nursing workforce, estimating a deficit of approximately 123,000 nurses by 2030.
Right now, the shortage is being felt across a wide array of specialties. Nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, and support staff are all in high demand. This trend will continue.
Amid fierce competition, it’s clear that HR leaders must find new ways to hire, onboard, train, and retain the workforce needed to meet demand.
Competing for workers in a tight market
Recruiting skilled professionals is tougher than ever. A shrinking talent pool means healthcare organisations are trying to attract the same workers, and turnover rates remain high.
There’s high burnout, low job satisfaction, long hours, understaffing, and emotionally demanding work. The result? An already stretched workforce is under even more pressure. This inevitably leads to difficulties in finding and retaining staff.
Dealing with an ageing healthcare workforce
Australia’s healthcare workforce is ageing, with many healthcare professionals over 50 and nearing retirement. This poses organisational risk as experienced workers leave the workforce and take decades of knowledge with them. Succession planning will be essential to avoid a severe skills gap in the coming years.
HR professionals will also need to create recruitment pathways for younger workers. This requires not just leadership from HR but broader organisational changes to make
healthcare an attractive career path for following generations.
Using training and development to futureproof healthcare
Attracting younger workers is only part of the equation. You also have to ensure that existing employees have the skills needed for modern healthcare. Training in new technologies, mental health, digital health, and emerging medical fields is critical to equipping staff for the evolving landscape.
In fact, according to ELMO's 2025 HR Industry Benchmark Report, upskilling, cross-skilling, or reskilling employees is the number one challenge for organisations in the healthcare and social assistance industry.
This speaks to the need for healthcare organisations to embrace modern technology and workflows to improve employee training and development. By offering career progression, skill development, and enhanced engagement, you can retain top talent and attract the next generation of workers.
ELMO Software: Your strategic partner in building a sustainable workforce
As the healthcare sector faces a workforce scarcity, HR professionals need the right tools to meet the rising challenge.
ELMO Software is the all-in-one HR solution you need to streamline recruitment, retention, performance tracking, and learning management. Automate workflows, bridge skill gaps, and build a culture that attracts top talent.
By investing in strategic workforce planning and technology, HR leaders can build a resilient team and secure the best talent needed for future success.
To find out how ELMO can help visit us at:
1300 884 510
