From just 700 members in 1924, the ANMF has steadily grown to stand as Australia’s largest union, boasting a membership of over 326,000 nurses, midwives, personal carers and students. Over the century, the union has achieved extraordinary accomplishments in protecting, promoting and progressing the professional and industrial rights of members and safer healthcare policies and practices which have resulted in improved patient care outcomes.

Federal Secretary Annie Butler said the centenary was a time to stop and reflect on the long-list of the ANMF’s achievements, from fair wages and better working conditions to promoting safer healthcare practices and improved patient care.

“We would like to congratulate all of our ANMF members, past and present for helping us reach this remarkable milestone. We are enormously proud that over the past 100 years, the ANMF has been a catalyst for positive change in communities across Australia,” Ms Butler said.

“We have worked together in making transformative strides that have improved working conditions for nurses and midwives, while enhancing the health and aged care we’ve provided to all Australians across the country. The ANMF’s many, many accomplishments span decades – from establishing nursing and midwifery schools in the 1920s to the transition into university education during the 1970s and early 80s.

“Importantly, we’ve fought hard for, and won vital nurse-to-patient ratios, penalty rates, and better pay and conditions for our members. We have been instrumental in lobbying for and supporting national registration and the establishment of the Australian Nursing Council (ANC) in the late 1980s and early 90s; and later the establishment of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS), Ahpra and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

“This year we also launched the Nurse Midwife Health Program Australia (NMHPA), to provide free, confidential, and independent support for nurses, midwives, and students facing psychological health issues. And none of this would have been possible without the collective strength of our ANMF members, standing united for better outcomes.

“Whilst this centennial year gives us an opportunity to reflect on our significant progress, it is also a time to look forward to the work we have ahead of us, such as advancing workforce reforms, particularly strategies addressing workforce shortages, continuing to strengthen Medicare so there is equitable access to healthcare for all Australians, ensuring nurses and midwives can work to their full scope of practice, and advocating for gender pay equity. So today, the ANMF celebrates 100 years’ of strength, unity, and progress – and we look forward to many more years of making a difference together. Thank you to all of our members for being part of this incredible journey.”