Economic Modelling of the Nurses' Labour Market in Australia(ARC Linkage project)

Nurses play an important role in the health system and help to ensure individuals lead healthier, happier and more productive lives. Devising cost effective policies to ensure an adequate supply of motivated and productive nurses is crucial in achieving efficiency and equity in the health care system. The results of this research will be used by government to help set optimal pay and conditions for nurses, and to ensure that these are competitive with other nurse employers. This will provide a firm evidence base to reduce nurse shortages and therefore increase the quality of patient care in Australia. This is a Linkage Project and the partner organisation is the Department of Human Services. Funding for this projects runs from 2006 to 2009.