The Department of Health has released the results of its statewide workforce survey, conducted ahead of the launch of Victoria’s new Local Health Service Networks on 1 July. More than 1,600 health workers responded, including doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and administrative staff.

The findings strongly reflect AMA Victoria’s advocacy priorities. Stress and burnout were identified as the most significant workforce challenges, aligning with our advocacy for safe workloads, sustainable staffing, and stronger mental health supports, as outlined in our recent letter to the Health Minister. Duplication of processes and systems emerged as another major barrier, directly echoing our GROSS (Getting Rid of Stupid Stuff) campaign to cut unnecessary administrative burden. Workplace violence and aggression were also highlighted, reinforcing our advocacy to strengthen emergency department security standards and ensure safer workplaces for health staff.

Respondents also identified barriers to patient access, including limited information sharing, unclear referral pathways, and poor coordination between hospitals and primary care. Priorities for improvement included expanding electronic health record use, and better data integration, aligning closely with AMA Victoria’s call for a truly connected Victorian health system, including a statewide electronic medical record.

As the new Networks take shape, AMA Victoria will continue to advocate to ensure doctors’ voices (and those of their representative organisation) are central to shaping reforms. The Department must work closely with the medical profession to address the systemic barriers identified in this survey and design a more sustainable, safe, and efficient health system that supports both patients and the workforce.

Members can view the full survey report here.