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

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 10years of Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) registration data were carried out. Results Among surveyed health practitioners, 20,449 (79.4%) intended to stay, 1368 (5.3%) intended to leave, and 1759 (6.8%) were unsure. Most intending to leave planned to do so immediately or within 1-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%). Men, older practitioners, those working fewer than 20h 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 29.6%, but the replacement rate showed notable fluctuations over the observed period. Females consistently exhibited higher replacement rates compared to males, with exits from the workforce highest in those aged under 35 pre-2020 and highest in those aged 35-60 post-2020. Conclusions Although the overall number of health practitioners increased from 2014 to 2023, replacement rates have been fluctuating, 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.