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New report released to inform future planning for the Territory’s remote nursing workforce
The Northern Territory Primary Health Network (NT PHN) has released the Graduate Nurse Program Expansion: Scoping & Co-Design Project for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services report, outlining a proposed program to help build and sustain a stronger remote nursing workforce across the Northern Territory.
Commissioned by NT PHN and Charles Darwin University (CDU), the report was developed through an evidence-based, co-design process with input from communities and sector partners including CDU, Menzies School of Health Research and Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (CAAC).
The report presents a structured model to support new graduate nurses entering remote practice. Key components include cultural safety training, accredited clinical education and dedicated mentorship to assist nurses as they transition into challenging and rewarding remote roles.
NT PHN Chief Executive Officer Paul Connolly said the report demonstrates a valuable opportunity to reconsider how the Territory attracts and retains nurses in remote communities.
“The report clearly outlines the challenges associated with recruitment and retention and offers evidence to guide more sustainable long-term approaches. It provides a foundation for future investment in the remote nursing workforce and supports a coordinated way forward.”
The proposed model can be adapted by organisations to grow a stable, culturally responsive nursing workforce that reflects and responds to the needs of remote communities, with the goal to improve continuity of care and reduce reliance on agency staff.
NT PHN encourages health services, funding bodies and community organisations to use the report to support funding proposals or adapt the model to suit their own workforce needs.
