Hays Healthcare - January 2009

Hotspots

Critical shortages exist for midwives across Australia outside of the major capital cities. In addition, registered nurses in mental health are required as local candidates seek work in alternative specialties.

In New South Wales, candidates with skills in case management and care management are in demand, particularly qualified social workers. A key hotspot of demand exists in aged care, primarily due to demographic shifts in the State. Community care candidates at all levels are another hotspot due to the increase in community packages within social care.

In Victoria, the focus is on nurses, particularly registered nurses with one to two years postgraduate nursing experience across all specialties. The need for nursing staff is being pushed by mature age workers leaving the workforce as well as many nursing candidates' desire for casual or part-time work for work/life balance.

The coming quarter

Care organisations are continuing to expand, ensuring ongoing demand for new permanent employees. Continual national nursing shortages are contributing to demand, and candidates looking for employment in this sector will find plenty of opportunities. The recent Rudd government announcements of additional Healthcare funding to all States indicates that this situation will continue throughout the year.

Executive recruitment

Senior and executive roles are largely filled on an internal basis through promotions, however where shortages exist, healthcare organisations will find the recruitment partners can assist in filling the gaps.

Salaries

Healthcare is one sector in which salaries are on the rise, particularly at the lower levels where there is a greater demand for staff. Community workers of all levels should expect a shift in salary for the better due to increased requirements within the sector.

In New South Wales, the exception to this is higher-level roles including qualified social workers and case managers, which will remain unchanged due to expenditure in other areas. In Victoria, salaries will be reviewed to encourage more nurses into the workforce, including the potential for $6000 bonuses for nurses returning in Victoria.

Candidate trends

Candidate levels have remained relatively unchanged, although some sectors have experienced increased activity. The aged care specialty, for example, is drawing greater candidate interest from other specialties, prompting widespread retraining. Previously unskilled and unqualified candidates are also engaging in retraining in greater numbers.

Continued growth in the sector in the face of current economic conditions will prompt further candidate interest in the months to come, drawing in experience from other sectors. This matches well with organisations that are now more willing to look at candidates with transferable skills and retrain where required.

Candidates who have been working in the sector for a number of years are now opting to downsize their work commitments and work shorter weeks. Where candidate shortages persist, organisations that partner with international recruitment firms will find they can be put in touch with increasing numbers of New Zealand and UK nurses who are enquiring about working in Australia.