The Real Cost of Healthcare Staff Shortages and Why Recruitment Matters More Than Ever

RWR Group Marketing • June 11, 2025

If you’re working in the health sector, you don’t need statistics to tell you how stretched the system is, you feel it every day.

From hospital corridors to aged care homes, and midwives to radiographers, workforce shortages are straining every corner of care. And it’s not slowing down.

The Numbers Speak Volumes

Nursing: By 2025, Australia is expected to face a shortage of over 85,000 nurses. That’s not just numbers, that’s real pressure in EDs, wards, and community health services.

Midwifery: Almost 10,000 midwives are short. Maternity services are under stress.

Allied Health: Physiotherapists, OTs, speech pathologists, and radiographers are in critical demand in both public and private sectors.

Theatre & Anaesthetics: Surgical delays are increasing because there simply aren’t enough technicians to support the load.

Aged Care: With turnover rates hitting 50% in some facilities, continuity of care is becoming harder to guarantee.

What’s driving this? An aging workforce, high levels of burnout, and increasingly complex care needs. Over 40% of healthcare workers report stress-related symptoms. That’s not sustainable for anyone.

At RWR Health, we don’t just place candidates. We partner with people. We believe recruitment plays a frontline role in supporting the sector, finding the right talent, helping organisations retain them, and offering strategies that care for the carers.

Because the truth is, we’re not just solving staffing problems, we’re helping build a stronger, more resilient healthcare system.

If you're in the sector, we want to hear from you. Let’s talk challenges, but more importantly, let’s talk solutions. Call us today!

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RWR Health Launches in Australia

By RWR Group Marketing • June 5, 2025

RWR Health has officially launched in Australia, expanding its trusted recruitment expertise to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. Backed by the award-winning RWR Group, the agency brings over 30 years of healthcare experience and specialist recruitment knowledge to the market. With a fresh approach to candidate engagement, talent mapping, career planning, and employer branding, RWR Health addresses a growing market need for smarter, values-led recruitment. The agency blends AI-powered sourcing with deep market intelligence and a unique human approach, ensuring that employers connect with professionals who truly align with their values and culture. “Our launch in Australia represents a pivotal moment,” says John Caldwell, Global CEO of RWR Group. “We’ve built a reputation for specialist recruitment that doesn’t compromise on quality or care. Now, we’re bringing that proven model to healthcare organisations across Australia, where the need for high-impact, values-aligned talent has never been greater.” RWR Health stands apart by combining predictive technology and deep local knowledge with personal connection, delivering not just speed and efficiency, but long-term fit. With 30+ years of healthcare experience and a network of over 600,000 candidates, the team is equipped to fill roles across clinical, non-clinical, and executive functions, often in under 25 days. RWR Group, founded in 2001, is the force behind industry-leading recruitment brands across Australasia, including Retailworld, Hospoworld, RWR Construction, and Executive Search. With 22 offices across the region and an award-winning leadership team, the group continues to set a new standard in industry-specialist recruitment. For employers ready to grow or candidates seeking purpose-driven roles, visit www.rwrhealth.com or connect with the team on LinkedIn.