In the 2024-25 financial year, the Tasmanian government allocated over $105 million towards employing locum nurses, which represents a staggering 600 percent increase from the approximately $14.5 million spent in 2020. This increase highlights the growing reliance on temporary nursing staff within the state's healthcare system, with these locum positions now accounting for nearly 5 percent of Tasmania's total health budget, according to data from the health department.

The release of these figures followed a right to information request, drawing criticism from the Tasmanian Labor party, which labeled the spending as 'eye watering.' Their concern reflects broader issues within the healthcare system, particularly regarding workforce stability and the implications of relying heavily on temporary staff, which can lead to increased strain on permanent employees and other areas such as administration and human resources.

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation has also expressed concerns that this trend towards temporary staffing exacerbates workload stress in various sectors, underscoring the potential adverse effects on care quality. The continued escalation in locum spending raises questions about the adequacy of Tasmania's healthcare workforce and whether investment in permanent staffing solutions might be a more sustainable approach to addressing the health needs of the region.