Environmental Health Australia Calls For Urgent Action To Address Critical Workforce Shortage

BRISBANE, Australia - Jan. 31, 2024 - PRLog -- Environmental Health Australia (EHA) is urgently requesting $5.2 million in funding from the 2024-25 Commonwealth Budget to address the critical workforce shortage in the environmental health profession.

The request for $5.2 Million will focus on three key initiatives; Nationwide Workforce Study ($200,000), Education, Training, and Professional Development ($4 Million) and Marketing the Profession ($1 Million).

National President of EHA, Philip Swain, said "EHA urges the Commonwealth to recognise the importance of the environmental health profession. The requested funding will empower the profession to protect public health effectively and ensure the safety and wellbeing of Australian communities."

The EHA submission highlights recent reports showing a severe shortage of Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) across Australia.

The Jobs and Skills Australia 2023 Skills Priority List identifies EHOs as experiencing shortages, contrary to workforce reports showing a dire shortage across all jurisdictions.

"Despite being frontline workers responsible for managing food safety, water quality, waste management, and infection control, EHOs face challenges in recognition and resourcing," Mr Swain said.

"The shortage has significant implications for delivering essential services, meeting statutory obligations, and responding to public health emergencies."

Full budget submission can be viewed here: https://www.eh.org.au/news/eha-pre-budget-submission-2024...

Environmental Health Australia is committed to the enhancement of environmental health standards and services to the community through advocacy, promotion, education and leadership.
www.eh.org.au
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