Since its launch in February 2025, AMA Victoria’s Getting Rid of Stupid Stuff (GROSS) initiative has moved from an idea to a recognised work program. The campaign has gathered more than 1,000 signatures, been raised in Parliament, and gained support from the Minister for Health, senior Department of Health officials and Safer Care Victoria. Work is advancing on a statewide approach to recognising prior learning in mandatory training, with duplication in Working With Children Checks (given existing Ahpra registration) and credentialing requirements also under active discussion.

These early outcomes show progress, but the task continues. The next phase of GROSS will build on these foundations - continuing work on existing priorities while directing new attention to environmental sustainability.

Members have already drawn attention to waste that is not only administrative but material: reusable items marked “single use only,” disposable products replacing washable alternatives, excessive packaging, automatic printing of patient information that could be shared digitally, unnecessary linen changes, and fragmented procurement processes that prevent sustainable practices from being shared between sites.

These examples show how inefficiency extends beyond paperwork to everyday practices that waste resources and undermine sustainability goals. Over coming months, AMA Victoria will collect further member feedback on environmental sustainability, including single-use plastics, waste reduction and energy efficiency, and will advocate for change across government, the Department of Health, health services and the private sector.

This next phase will not replace the existing agenda. Work will continue on mandatory training duplication, credentialing reform and Working With Children Checks, alongside the new focus on sustainability.

Members can share examples through the GROSS submission form and add their names to the petition calling for GROSS to be adopted across all Victorian health services. The report on the first six months of GROSS, Turning member frustrations into system reform, is available here.