New ad comes as health workers seek alternatives amid looming public service job cuts
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) is expressing concerns that Queensland's recruitment campaign would be successful in convincing the country's health workers to move to Australia in the wake of public service cuts.
Queensland Health is currently running a recruitment campaign aimed at luring health workers in New Zealand, Canada, and the United Kingdom to move there in exchange of generous perks.
"When you do look at the ads that are being run, it does certainly draw you to Australia as being the ideal place to go and work," NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku said as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
According to Nuku, Kiwis are also starting to look for alternatives amid looming job cuts in the public service.
"They're not just lured because they offer more money, but also because of working conditions and access to professional development," she said.
Nuku, however, noted that campaign was not surprising given that there is an "international shortage of nursing." In New Zealand alone, she said there are about 4,000 nursing vacancies.
"Everywhere is trying to get nurses wherever they can," Nuku said.
The reported job cuts in public service comes as Finance Minister Nicola Willis aims to cut annual public service spending by $1.5 billion, Radio New Zealand reported.
All departments have been ordered to identify where they can save. In the Ministry of Health, the agency has been asked to make a 6.5% cut.
Health Minister Shane Reti said the proposed cuts wouldn't be enough to drive people to Australia but noted that this doesn't mean the situation would not happen.
According to Reti, the recruitment campaign was "very concerning" due to the health sector's talent retention issue.
Queensland is currently offering Kiwis competitive salary packages and leave entitlements should they decide to transfer there.
"Health workers from overseas who move to Queensland may be eligible for payments of up to $20,000," the Queensland website read. "Health workers from overseas who take a job in regional or remote Queensland may be eligible for up to $70,000."
The government is also promising visa assistance as well as relocation support for those willing to move.
