Queensland government announces 2000 free nursing diplomas to tackle critical health worker shortage

The state government is to scrap fees for nursing diplomas as Gold Coast hospitals grapple with soaring demand and a shortage of frontline staff. But graduates and recruiters say this won’t necessarily fix the bottleneck. HAVE YOUR SAY IN OUR POLL

Queensland will fund 2000 fee‑free nursing diploma places from 2026 in a bid to tackle hospital pressures, but locals say this won’t fix the bottleneck that is entry‑level roles and graduate placements on the Gold Coast.

The Queensland government made the announcement at TAFE Southport campus on Wednesday, as emergency department presentations across Gold Coast Health surged 14 per cent in the past year – from 191,255 to 218,763 – placing pressure on frontline staff.

Employment and Training Minister Ros Bates, a former nurse, said the workforce crisis demanded urgent action.

Ros Bates, MP, the Minister for Employment and Training. Photo Steve Pohlner

“We know there are workforce shortages and the frontline here in health is the most important … and that’s why we chose to fund the free nursing program,” she said.

“These students who complete the diploma of nursing can go on and seek registration right now as an enrolled nurse.

“It’s a key part of our government’s plan to have a pipeline of skilled workers and reduce pressure on our hospitals.”

The Queensland government announced 2,000 fee-free nursing diploma places from 2026 on Wednesday. Back row: Member for Coomera Michael Crandon, TAFE's Dr Natalie McKenna, Director of health faculty at TAFE Deb Blow, nursing student Isla Mcalister. Front: Employment and Training Minister Ros Bates and TAFE general manager Karen Dickson. Picture: Rosie Gale

Isla Mcalister, 21, from Upper Coomera has just completed her Diploma of Nursing at TAFE Queensland. Picture: Rosie Gale

The Gold Coast will be a key training hub, particularly as the region prepares to open the new Coomera Hospital – designed to help relieve ramping and Emergency Department wait times in the northern corridor.

Member for Coomera Michael Crandon said: “With the new 600-bed hospital being built in the Coomera area, it’s so essential to have the nursing staff necessary for that.”

“By removing the cost barriers to completing a Diploma of Nursing, it’s going to make a huge difference to the workforce.”

Designs showing what the Coomera Hospital and the northern Gold Coast health precinct will look like, once the hospital build is completed.

But some locals say increasing free courses, with a low availability of entry level positions on the Gold Coast will continue to create a “diluted workforce”.

“I know many young RN’s that have just graduated and are unable to get jobs … as they require 6-12 months experience,” said Anissa Walsh.

Kerryn Walsh said: “My Daughter moved to Sydney a few years ago as she couldn’t get a grad year placement on the GC (Gold Coast) and couldn’t get a job without it.”

New graduate Julia Cavalcanti said she couldn’t get a job in a hospital setting because she didn’t have the work experience.

“I know a lot of people in the same position,” she said.

Nursing recruiter Chantelle Handley said the market was “heavily saturated” with EENs (Endorsed Enrolled Nurses) who have completed the free TAFE course but “the issue is finding qualified RNs (Registered Nurses).

“They should be expanding and offering more transition programs,” she said.

The Free Diploma of Nursing will be available in 2026 through TAFE Queensland, CQUniversity and Mater Education.

Originally published as Queensland government announces 2000 free nursing diplomas to tackle critical health worker shortage