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Trends in retention and attrition among nine regulated health professions in Australia

Jade Tan, Rechu Divakar, Lee Barclay, Sunita Bayyavarapu, Sarah Anderson, Eva Saar

Abstract

Objective: To identify factors associated with the retention and attrition of regulated health practitioners in Australia across nine health professions. Methods: An online survey of practitioners and an analysis of 10 years of Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) registration data. Results: Among surveyed health practitioners, 20,331 (79.4%) intended to stay, 1,368 (5.3%) intended to leave, and 1,759 (6.8%) were unsure. Most intending to leave planned to do so immediately or within one-year (72.8%). Top reasons for leaving included mental burnout (32.9%), retirement (30.5%), feeling undervalued/unrecognised (28.5%), lack of professional satisfaction (27.9%), and work no longer being fulfilling (25.1%). Males, older practitioners, those working fewer than 20 hours per week, and non-self-employed practitioners were more likely to consider not renewing or to be unsure. Analysis of Ahpra registration data from 2014 to 2023 showed that the number of registered practitioners per 100,000 population increased by 57.1%, but the proportion renewing their registration per 1,000 practitioners decreased by 9.3%, indicating higher overall numbers but lower retention rates. Attrition was highest in males, those over 60, followed by the 35-60 age group, while it was low and stable in practitioners under 35. Conclusions: While the overall number of health practitioners increased from 2014 to 2023, the retention rate declined, highlighting concerns about workforce stability, particularly among males, older practitioners, those working fewer or greater than full-time hours, and non-self-employed practitioners. Addressing intrinsic and workplace factors such as mental burnout, lack of recognition, and job satisfaction may improve retention.

AH24268  Accepted 07 January 2025

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