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21 April 2020
ANMF (Federal) has written to AHPRA and the NMBA asking for consideration of a reduction in registration fees paid by nurses and midwives during the current pandemic emergency.
The public has overwhelmingly supported one push to waive the $175 registration fees for nurses, with over 66,000 people signing a petition.
Hundreds of casual hospital nurses have had little to no income or shifts since the ban on elective surgery.
(NB ANMF is pursuing restitution of hours in the private hospital sector following signing of agreements that open up Commonwealth Government funding to private hospitals based on them maintaining staffing. That funding is to be backdated to April 2020.)
Opposition Health spokesman Chris Picton says “Nurses are on the frontline and at the risk of contracting this disease,’’ he said. “So this would be an excellent sign of gratitude from the Government to say thank you.’’
According to SA Premier Steven Marshall, the issue of nurse registration fees is being considered.
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) are working with government, health services and others to support the registered health workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic.
AHPRA manages the registration and renewal process on behalf of the NMBA. Your registration fees go directly to regulating for safety in nursing and midwifery and keeping the public safe.
What can you do if I can’t afford your registration fees due to financial hardship?
The NMBA and AHPRA have made a payment plan available for nurses and midwives experiencing genuine financial hardship due to COVID-19. If you meet the criteria, you will be eligible to pay half your registration fee now and make a second payment by October 2020.
View AHPRA’s
Fact sheet: Registration renewal for nurses and midwives for more information, including eligibility and submission process.