NURSING WORK IN THE PRIVATE
SECTOR
It is well recognised that nursing makes up the
largest staffi ng category in hospitals. In Australia,
nurses made up 45% of the full-time equivalent
staff numbers in public hospitals in 2008–2009.
Medical offi cers comprised 12% of full-time
equivalent staff, and diagnostic and allied health
professionals comprised 14%. The staffi ng mix is
somewhat different in private hospitals, as most
medical services are not provided by hospital
staff. Nurses working in private hospitals also
make up the largest staffi ng category, comprising
60% of the full-time equivalent staff numbers
in 2006–2007. Medical offi cers and diagnostic
and allied health professionals comprised 7% of
full-time equivalent staff (Australian Institute of
Health and Welfare 2010b). These fi gures highlight
the signifi cant role that nurses play in the
delivery of private healthcare and the implications
of these numbers for hospitals in terms of
labour costs.