The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation’s Federal Executive (ANMF), has appointed Catelyn Richards as its new Federal Assistant Secretary, marking a significant step in strengthening national leadership of the country’s largest union.

Ms Richards is a Registered Nurse who commenced her career in paediatrics at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. She has extensive experience in workforce advocacy and climate and health policy, having served as the ANMF’s first-ever Climate Change Officer since February, 2025. In that role, she worked to ensure that nursing and midwifery professionals had a voice in the development and implementation of national climate change policies.

Federal Secretary Annie Butler welcomed Ms Richards to her new role, saying her appointment  demonstrated the ANMF’s commitment to elevating emerging executive leaders who bring professional insights and forward-thinking vision for the nursing and midwifery workforce.

“In her time at the ANMF federal office, Catelyn has worked hard in advocating for nurses and midwives and the communities they serve, putting the alarming health impacts of climate back on the national agenda,” Ms Butler said.

“As Federal Assistant Secretary, she will join our Executive Leadership Team in helping shape the future of our nursing and midwifery workforce, at a time when there continues to be growing pressures on Australia’s health and aged care system.”

Ms Richards said she was honoured to be appointed to the role and working on behalf of the ANMF’s growing 356,000 membership across Australia.

“It’s a great privilege to be appointed to represent our ANMF member nurses, midwives and carers at the national level,” Ms Richards said.

“We know that our nursing and midwifery professions are facing a number of significant challenges, particularly chronic workforce shortages and their unsustainable workloads. But there’s also enormous potential for the ANMF to develop future-facing solutions, which is why I will work hard to ensure our members’ have a voice in helping shape the national health and aged care reform agenda.”

Ms Richards’ appointment as Federal Assistant Secretary took effect on 10 February, 2026.

The ANMF, with over 356,000 members, is the industrial and professional voice for nurses, midwives and carers in Australia. 

ANMF statement authorised by Annie Butler, ANMF Federal Secretary. 1/365 Queen St, Melbourne.

ANMF media inquiries: Richard Lenarduzzi 0411 254 390