As Queensland’s population grows and ages, it places increasing pressure on the state’s healthcare system. The population is expected to rise from 5.4 million in 2023 to 6.1 million by 2031, with the over-70 demographic growing at 3.8 per cent annually. As a result, hospital activity is projected to increase by 4.9 per cent per year, driven by these changes and by greater complexity of patient needs.
These demographic shifts, combined with advances in medical technology, present significant challenges for workforce planning. Queensland also faces increasing competition for health workers; evolving skill requirements; and complexities in delivering healthcare, particularly in rural and remote areas. In response to this, Queensland Health is developing a strategic workforce plan.
Who we plan to audit
- Department of Health
- selected hospital and health services.
In this audit, we will assess the effectiveness of Queensland Health’s strategies and actions to meet future health workforce needs. We will focus on the extent to which Queensland Health is meeting its early commitments.