ANMF (Vic Branch) State Secretary Maddy Harradence addresses the 'Use us or lose us' final-year student and graduate rally, Parliament House steps, Tuesday 23 September 2025. Photo: Christopher Hopkins
With a large number of nursing and midwifery graduating students not receiving a graduate program place in our state’s hospitals this year, ANMF (Vic Branch) has continued to advocate strongly for additional graduate places.
Since the Branch’s September rally and launch of our petition, we have written to the Secretary of the Department of Health seeking clarity on hospital data for graduates; we’ve met with each major Victorian university and the TAFE sector, CEOs and Executive Directors of Nursing and Midwifery in the private sector; and met regularly with senior government officials.
On 18 December, in collaboration with the Department of Health, ANMF held a Victorian Graduate Nurse/Midwife Roundtable to discuss short-, medium- and long-term strategies to support future nursing and midwifery graduates. From 2026, this roundtable will continue as a standing meeting dedicated to developing a more sustainable and standardised transition to practice program that meets the needs of graduates, health services and the entire Victorian health system.
What’s the latest update on graduate places?
Based on data that ANMF has been collecting from both public and private health services, there are still close to 1,000 graduating nurses and midwives that we understand do not have a confirmed graduate position in 2026. This remains unacceptable to ANMF considering how many members are still reporting excessive overtime and double shifts, and the forecast workforce shortage into the future.
However, there are some positive developments to report. In response to ANMF member advocacy, the Government confirmed that 103 additionally funded 2026 graduate places are now available across various public health services.
Members who did not receive a graduate place are encouraged to keep checking the PMCV website for vacancies as they become available. Additionally, we have been informed that vacancies will also be shared via careers.vic.gov.au. Further information is available at Next Steps – Graduate Nurse Midwifery Program.
ANMF has also held positive discussions with Government about additionally funded graduate places through an expanded mid-year intake for 2026. These expanded intakes (if supported by Government) would provide additional graduate positions across various clinical areas.
ANMF has also scheduled refresher courses for graduate nurses and mental health nurses who have either not received a position, or who commence late in 2026, to stay connected and confident in their clinical skills and knowledge. These courses are free for ANMF members.
ANMF will keep members up to date on all these initiatives as they progress.
Support
While we know this remains a challenging situation for many, ANMF will continue to advocate for meaningful employment for our future nursing and midwifery workforce. We encourage affected members to contact our dedicated ANMF Final Year and Graduate Support Officer who can be contacted via gradofficer@anmfvic.asn.au.
The Nursing and Midwifery Health Program (NMHPV) is a free and confidential nurse- and midwife-led peer support service, available to students and graduates. Contact NMHPV via: 03 9415 7551 or via admin@nmhp.org.au.
The Nurse and Midwife Support is another support service which is available 24-hours a day via 1800 667 877 or submit a request for assistance form on the website.
