Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House, the rapid expansion of the health care industry on the northern Gold Coast, with a new public hospital and new private hospitals forecast to open in 2027/2028. As well, the need for additional care professionals for our elderly and those with disabilities is ever-growing. A massive increase in professional staff in the health industry will require a big investment in health care training facilities.

An Assistant In Nursing (AIN), provides nursing care to patients under direct supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN). AIN’s typically have a minimum Certificate III healthcare related qualification and are the backbone of healthcare services. Enrolled Nurses provide nursing care to patients in consultation with RN’s and typically have a Diploma relative to nursing.

TAFE Coomera is in perfect proximity to the under-construction Coomera Hospital, the proposed Coomera Private Hospitals and other planned ancillary service provider facilities. The requisite land is available for construction of a TAFE Centre of Excellence in Health and Nursing.

A TAFE Centre of Excellence will be instrumental in addressing the critical shortage of healthcare personnel, providing a dedicated facility for training the next generation of nurses and ancillary staff, essential to the wellbeing of our growing population, especially our elderly and those with disabilities.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to do all in its power to ensure that government includes the northern Gold Coast in the TAFE Capital Investment plans, for the emerging massive increase in personnel for the health industry.