Nursing Training: Where Does WA Stand?
Dr Brian Walker questions the state of nursing training in WA, uncovering the realities behind places, costs, and government plans amid Queensland's bold move.
The unexpected answer
Queensland has made headlines with a recent announcement to offer 2,000 additional free Diploma of Nursing course places from next year. So naturally, I asked a simple question here in Western Australia: how many diploma-level nursing training places do we currently offer? What are the costs for students, and are there plans to increase these opportunities in the near future?
The answer I received was surprising. Training places for the Diploma of Nursing, it turns out, are demand driven in our state, and the course is already fee free for students. No exact numbers. No plans announced. Just the ambiguity of "demand driven" and "fee free" thrown in as the rationale.
The risk we cannot ignore
Here’s what this means for families and communities: this isn’t just a bland bureaucratic detail. It is about the pipeline of nurses who will care for our loved ones tomorrow. Without clear investment and expansion in nursing places, we risk a future where hospitals and clinics are stretched too thin, leaving patients waiting in corridors and emergency rooms understaffed.
The fear is real. Fewer training places mean less capacity to meet the growing demand for frontline healthcare workers. Our elderly parents, newborn babies, and everyone in between deserve more than vague assurances. They need a robust, forward-thinking health workforce strategy backed by clear commitments.
From the clinic to the chamber
As a doctor turned parliamentarian, I know firsthand that health care must be planned well ahead and grounded in reality. Nurses are the backbone of our health system. When I worked as a GP, I saw the damage caused whenever resources lagged behind demand. Waiting lists grow, and the human cost climbs too high.
That’s why it’s essential to hold our government accountable to not just meet current demand but to anticipate future needs. While the major parties shuffle papers and parrot slogans, practical solutions should be centre stage. Evidence shows investing in nursing education today keeps our healthcare system strong for years to come.
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What should come next?
Western Australia has a proud tradition of innovation and care. Yet, when it comes to nursing training, the crystal-clear plan Queensland has given us highlights a gap we can no longer ignore.
It is time the government stops hiding behind words like "demand driven" and makes a commitment to expanding nursing places decisively. The cost barrier might be down, but availability cannot rely solely on demand. We must plan strategically to secure the health of our community.
As we continue to debate these critical issues in the Legislative Council, I invite you to explore the full dialogue and official record of this discussion in the House. Your voice matters, and together, we can push for policies that truly protect and empower Western Australians.
Join me and others in the movement to make a difference by supporting Legalise Cannabis WA. The road ahead demands forward thinkers who are ready to embrace change grounded in evidence.
For those interested, you can read the full exchange documented in Parliament here. And if you want to add your voice to this important cause, consider joining us at Legalise Cannabis WA.
