Labour force - publications

Medical labour force 2007

National health labour force series no. 44

The supply of employed medical practitioners increased between 2003 and 2007, from 279 to 305 full-time equivalent practitioners per 100,000 population. This increase reflected a 20% rise in practitioner numbers. The gender balance continued to shift, with women making up 34% of practitioners in 2007 compared to 32% in 2003. The average hours worked by male practitioners declined from 47.5 to 45.9 hours, while hours worked by female practitioners remained steady at 37.6 hours.

Authored by AIHW.

Published 16 October 2009; ISSN 1327-4309; ISBN-13 978 1 74024 959 1; AIHW cat. no. HWL 45; 72pp.; $25.00

Nursing and midwifery labour force 2007

National health labour force series no. 43

In 2007, the total number of registered and enrolled nurses estimated by the Nursing and Midwifery Labour Force Survey was 305,834, an increase of 12% since 2003. The nursing workforce continued to age between 2003 and 2007; the proportion of nurses aged 50 years or over increased from 28% to 33%. The number of full time equivalent nurses per 100,000 population increased by 8% since 2003, and the profession continued to be predominantly female, with females comprising 90% of employed nurses in 2007.

Authored by AIHW.

Published 16 October 2009; ISSN 1327-4309; ISBN-13 978 1 74024 958 4; AIHW cat. no. HWL 44; 68pp.; $25.00

Eye health labour force in Australia

The delivery of eye health care in Australia is undertaken by an eye health labour force that consists of: - ophthalmologists - ophthalmic nurses - optometrists - orthoptists - optical dispensers - optical mechanics. The number of full-time equivalent ophthalmologists, optometrists and orthoptists increased by 15%, 11% and 20% respectively between 2001 and 2006. Ophthalmologists are on average older than other eye health workers. In 2006 the average age of ophthalmologists was 52 years. The average age of the other eye health occupations ranged from 36 years (orthoptists) to 46 years (ophthalmic nurses).

Authored by Long R.

Published 10 September 2009; ISBN-13 978 1 74024 948 5; AIHW cat. no. PHE 116; 48pp.; FREE

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health labour force statistics and data quality assessment

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health labour force statistics and data quality assessment provides comprehensive data on the Indigenous health labour force. Data are drawn from censuses, surveys and administrative data sources. The report presents information on Indigenous medical practitioners, nurses, Aboriginal health workers and those studying health. The report also assesses the quality of Indigenous labour force data. It provides a useful resource for policy makers, administrators and researchers interested in the Indigenous labour force.

Authored by AIHW.

Published 23 April 2009; ISBN-13 978 1 74024 909 6; AIHW cat. no. IHW 27; 107pp.; INTERNET ONLY

Health and community services labour force 2006

National health labour force series no. 42

In 2006, over 9% of Australia's workforce was employed in health and community services occupations - a 26% increase from 2001. Between 2001 and 2006 the health workforce and community services workforce increased by 22.8% and 35.6% respectively. Over the same period, the health and community services workforce aged with the proportion of workers in the 55 to 64 years age bracket increasing by 4 percentage points. This report also contains information on geographical distribution, country of birth and qualifications held.

Authored by AIHW.

Published 6 March 2009; ISSN 1327-4309; ISBN-13 978 1 74024 891 4; AIHW cat. no. HWL 43; 80pp.; $27.00

Medical labour force 2006

National health labour force series no. 41

This report presents demographic and labour force statistics on the medical profession in Australia and trends in the number of employed doctors. It is based on the main findings of the 2006 national survey of registered medical practitioners. Information presented includes a national and state/territory overview of the number of medical practitioners (including age and sex, field of medicine, working hours and where they work), their geographic region and overall supply.

Authored by AIHW.

Published 31 October 2008; ISSN 1327-4309; ISBN-13 978 1 74024 836 5; AIHW cat. no. HWL 42; 80pp.; $26.00

Dental hygienist labour force in Australia, 2005

DSRU research report no. 34

Authored by AIHW Dental Statistics and Research Unit.

Published 7 August 2008; ISSN 1445-775X; AIHW cat. no. DEN 173; INTERNET ONLY

Dental labour force in Australia, 2005

DSRU research report no. 33

This report provides information on the dentist labour force in Australia based on the 2005 national dental labour force collection. Where appropriate, comparisons have been made with data drawn from the most recent collection (2003).

Authored by AIHW Dental Statistics and Research Unit.

Published 7 August 2008; ISSN 1445-775X; AIHW cat. no. DEN 172; INTERNET ONLY

Dental prosthetist labour force in Australia, 2005

DSRU research report no. 37

Authored by AIHW Dental Statistics and Research Unit.

Published 7 August 2008; ISSN 1445-775x; AIHW cat. no. DEN 184; 4pp.; INTERNET ONLY

Dental therapist labour force in Australia, 2005

DSRU research report no. 35

Authored by AIHW Dental Statistics and Research Unit.

Published 7 August 2008; ISSN 1445-775X; AIHW cat. no. DEN 174; INTERNET ONLY