In the three years since the Australian Medical Workforce
Benchmarks was finalised, substantial changes in the Australian
health sector have impacted on the medical workforce.
To assist in updating the national medical workforce benchmarks,
a broad ranging Discussion Paper - Medical Workforce Supply and
Demand in Australia - has been prepared jointly by the
Australian Medical Workforce Advisory Committee (AMWAC) and the
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). It will be
released on 6 January.
The Paper was prepared to seek views on the approaches to the
estimation of future workforce needs and the issues which need to
be considered in updating the benchmarks. Medical Workforce Supply
and Demand in Australia: A Discussion paper attempts to explain the
supply and demand mismatches in the current Australian medical care
system. It also seeks feedback from stakeholders on indicators of
segments of the workforce in shortage, in balance and in excess of
need. Medical Workforce Supply and Demand in Australia: A
Discussion Paper includes chapters on:
- Medical services expenditure in Australia
- Patient demand for medical services
- The international experience and lessons for Australia
- Indicators of workforce supply in excess of need
- Indicators of workforce shortages
- Indicators of a workforce in balance
- Further labour market issues
- Data issues
- Methodology issues in benchmark analysis
6 January 1999
Further information:, Executive Officer, AMWAC,
ph. 02 9391 9933, or
, Head - Labour Force
Unit, AIHW, ph. 02 6244 1153.
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, AIHW, ph. 02 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for availability. Also available via the AMWAC web
site.