The South Australian Government has announced it will introduce legislation to mandate staffing ratios across South Australian public hospitals, fulfilling a key election promise.
The proposed new laws will be introduced to Parliament this week following consultation with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation.
“This is a clear win for South Australians patients, nurses and midwives,” said SA Premier, Peter Malinauskas.
“We’re delivering on our promise to South Australia’s hard-working nurses and midwives to introduce staff ratios to help them provide the best and safest care to their patients.
“We have seen nurse-and-midwife-to-patient ratios work interstate and we’re following through with our commitment to introduce them here.”
The new South Australian ratios have been modelled on ratios in Victoria and prioritise both patient care and safety, and staff wellbeing.
They ensure the nurse-and-midwife-to-patient ratio meets the requirements of differing patient care areas across nursing and midwifery shifts.
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary, Adj Assoc Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM welcomed the reform, saying “ratios save lives”.
“We commend Minister Picton and the Malinauskas Government for their leadership in honouring that commitment and delivering this landmark legislation.”
“The introduction of this legislation is an historic milestone and a cause for celebration. It represents long-overdue recognition of the vital role nurses and midwives play in safeguarding the health of South Australians.
“Safe care depends on safe staffing. Legislating nurse and midwife ratios is a vital step in supporting our workforce and ensuring every South Australian receives high-quality care.
“This legislation honours the dedication of nurses and midwives and provides the support they need to continue delivering safe, sustainable care. It is also an investment in a stronger, more resilient health system for all South Australians,” she said.
Under the proposed laws:
- Adelaide’s four largest metropolitan hospitals (the Royal Adelaide, Flinders, Lyell McEwin and Women’s and Children’s) will be required to have one nurse for every four patients, along with a nurse in charge, in general medical and surgical wards during morning and afternoon shifts. For night shifts, it will be one nurse for every eight patients with a nurse in charge.
- Other hospitals across metropolitan Adelaide (including Modbury, Noarlunga and the Queen Elizabeth) will be required to have the same ratios as above for morning and night shifts, and one nurse for every five patients with a nurse in charge for afternoon shifts.
- Regional sites, such as the Port Lincoln and Southern Fleurieu Health services will require one nurse for every five patients with a nurse in charge for morning shifts and one nurse for every six patients with a nurse in charge for afternoon shifts. A night shift will require one nurse for every ten patients with a nurse in charge.
- In a coronary care unit, the ratio will become one nurse for every two patients and one for every three overnight, regardless which hospital they are in.
- An antenatal ward will require one midwife for every four patients and one for every six patients overnight, across all public hospitals.
It’s hoped the bill will pass through the Parliament and be enacted as legislation before the end of this year, with commencement early in 2026. The legislation will cover specified patient care areas in the public health system. It will not apply to private hospitals or private aged care providers.
“We have listened to our hard-working nurses and midwives and we’re introducing nurse-to-patient ratios across our hospitals,” said Health Minister, Chris Picton.
“Our historic legislation will mandate safe staffing levels across our hospitals for patients, nurses and midwives.”
Planning for implementing the ratios has already begun. SA Health is working closely with internal and external stakeholders, including the ANMF. There will be a two-year rollout period to allow local health networks to reconfigure staffing and recruit where required.
During that time, there will be a moratorium on non-compliance. At the end of that two-year period, any deliberate or systematic breaches of the legislation as determined by the South Australian Employment Tribunal could attract a fine of up to $10,000.
