Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation
Name	Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation
Abbreviation	ANMF
Founded	1924 (state branches origins; federal formation ongoing)
Headquarters	Melbourne, Victoria
Location	Australia
Members	Nurses, Midwives, Assistants in Nursing
Key people	State branch secretaries, national president

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation is a national union and professional association representing nurses, midwives and carers across Australia. It operates through state and territory branches and engages in industrial negotiation, professional regulation, public health advocacy and workforce development. The organisation interacts with a range of Australian institutions, employers and political actors in pursuit of members’ interests.

History

The organisation traces antecedents to early 20th century labour and professional movements linked with entities such as the Australian Council of Trade Unions, Royal College of Nursing (Australia), and state nursing associations in Victoria (Australia), New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. Influences included landmark events like the 1920s Australian Shortages of Nurses and wartime mobilisation during World War II that reshaped nursing roles alongside institutions such as the Commonwealth Department of Health (Australia), Australian Red Cross, and tertiary bodies like the University of Melbourne, University of Sydney and Monash University. Postwar reforms, including national health debates spurred by the Whitlam Government, the Medibank and Medicare (Australia) developments, affected union strategies and membership growth. Industrial relations milestones involving the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales and federal tribunals shaped the federation’s bargaining history.

Structure and Membership

The federation is organised as federated state and territory branches modelled similarly to unions such as the Australian Council of Trade Unions affiliates, with governance processes influenced by statutes like the Fair Work Act 2009. Branches maintain offices in capital cities including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra and Darwin. Membership spans registered nurses, enrolled nurses, midwives and aged care workers connected to employers such as Commonwealth Serum Laboratories, private providers like Bupa and religious hospitals such as those in the Calvary Health Care network. The federation interacts with accreditation and registration authorities including the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

Political Activities and Advocacy

The organisation has engaged with federal administrations from the Howard Government through the Rudd Government, Gillard Government, Abbott Government, Turnbull Government and Morrison Government, lobbying on workforce, funding and safety issues. It has participated in consultations with ministers in portfolios such as the Minister for Health (Australia) and worked alongside peak bodies like the Australian Medical Association and the Public Health Association of Australia. Campaigning has intersected with electoral politics involving parties such as the Australian Labor Party, the Liberal Party of Australia and the Australian Greens, and with policy debates linked to commissions like the Productivity Commission.

Industrial Relations and Bargaining

The federation conducts enterprise bargaining with employers including state health departments such as Victorian Department of Health, NSW Health and private hospital groups like the Ramsay Health Care group. It utilises tribunals and courts such as the Fair Work Commission and has been active in disputes alongside unions like the Health Services Union and the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union in solidarity actions. Industrial campaigns have involved staffing ratios, pay scales, occupational health and safety standards linked to legislation such as the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and awards administered via the Fair Work Commission.

Education, Training and Professional Development

The federation partners with universities and training organisations including the University of Queensland, Griffith University, Curtin University and vocational providers under frameworks influenced by the Australian Qualifications Framework. It advocates for clinical placements in public hospitals such as Royal Melbourne Hospital, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, and supports continuing professional development aligned with standards from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and accreditation pathways associated with bodies like the Australian College of Nursing. The federation has promoted postgraduate education and specialist training in areas tied to institutions such as the Royal College of Nursing (UK) and international exchanges with groups including the International Council of Nurses.

Campaigns and Public Policy Positions

Public campaigns have addressed nurse-to-patient ratios, aged care funding, pandemic responses and mental health supports, intersecting with inquiries such as the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. Policy positions have engaged with taxation and funding debates involving the Commonwealth Budget (Australia), inquiries by the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs and reviews by advisory bodies such as the National Health and Medical Research Council. The federation has supported reform proposals that affect settings from tertiary referral hospitals to residential aged care facilities operated by providers like Anglicare and Southern Cross Care.

Controversies and Criticism

The organisation has faced criticism and legal scrutiny in contexts including industrial actions, internal governance disputes and public campaigns. Controversies have drawn commentary from media institutions such as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Seven Network, Nine Network, and newspapers including The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Questions raised have involved comparisons to other unions like the Australian Workers' Union and issues examined by tribunals including the Fair Work Commission. Debates over policy positions have involved stakeholder responses from peak bodies including the Australian Medical Association and aged care peak bodies such as Aged & Community Services Australia.

Category:Trade unions in Australia Category:Nursing organizations in Australia