Want to study nursing in Australia? This guide covers everything international students need to know, from entry requirements and course options to future career paths and visa information. Learn why Australia is a top destination for nursing education and how you can succeed in this rewarding career.

Why Become A Nurse in Australia?

A career in nursing is often driven by a desire to help others and positively impact their lives. It is considered a noble profession that demands compassion and dedication. 

The demand for nurses in Australia is high due to the growing healthcare sector. According to national projections in the Department of Health and Aged Care’s Nursing Supply and Demand Study, Australia will face a shortage of more than 70,000 nurses by 2035.

This study's nursing model results predict an undersupply of nurses over the next 12 years. This indicates that Australia may need more nurses to keep pace with the community's overall demand for nursing services. 

Being employed as a Nursing provides job security. The dynamic nature of the job ensures that each day is different, and nurses benefit from competitive salaries, making nursing an appealing career choice. There is variety through many specialisations and career progression.

Why Study Nursing in Australia as an International Student?

Studying nursing in Australia is beneficial for many reasons. The country has a high-quality healthcare system and good educational institutions. Nursing programs in Australia are known worldwide for their strong academic standards and hands-on training.

1. High demand: Australia has a strong need for nurses, increasing job opportunities for graduates.
2. Supportive environment: International students are welcomed and supported in their studies to fill the short supply.
3. Modern facilities: Access to cutting-edge technology, medical research, and resources enhance the learning experience in Australia.
4. Diverse healthcare settings: Gain experience in various healthcare environments, broadening skills and knowledge.

Globally recognised education: Australian nursing qualifications are highly regarded internationally, opening doors to a global career. UK, NZ, US, Canada, South Africa

The Nursing Sector in Australia

Nurses can work in many settings in Australia and with many other public and private health professionals. Settings where nurses work include:

• public hospitals
• private hospitals
• aged care (both residential and home)
• primary care practice, including general practice clinics
• community health services
• schools
• correctional facilities
• rural and remote communities
• Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (NACCHO)

The Nursing Specialisation in Australia

There are many nursing specialisations available in Australia. The specific requirements for each specialisation vary, but most require a Bachelor of Nursing degree and relevant postgraduate qualifications or experience. Specialisations allow nurses to focus on areas of interest or patient care needs. These specialties span across clinical, educational, and leadership roles.

Clinical Specialisations

Acute Care Nurse

Focus: Patients in critical or emergency conditions.

Workplaces: Emergency departments, intensive care units (ICUs), or trauma centres.

Aged Care Nurse

Focus: Elderly patient care.

Workplaces: Residential aged care facilities, home care, or hospitals.

Critical Care/ICU Nurse

Focus: Patients with life-threatening conditions.

Workplaces: Intensive care units.

Emergency Nurse

Focus: Acute injuries or illnesses requiring urgent care.

Workplaces: Emergency departments or trauma centres.

Mental Health Nurse

Focus: Patients with mental health conditions.

Workplaces: Psychiatric hospitals, community clinics, or general hospitals.

Paediatric Nurse

Focus: Health and well-being of children and infants.

Workplaces: Paediatric units, children’s hospitals, or clinics.

Midwife

Focus: Pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care.

Workplaces: Maternity wards, birthing centres, or community health settings.

Neonatal Nurse

Focus: Premature or ill newborns.

Workplaces: Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Oncology Nurse

Focus: Cancer treatment and patient support.

Workplaces: Oncology departments, cancer care centres, or palliative care facilities.

Perioperative Nurse (Surgical and/or Aneasthetic Nurse)

Focus: Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care.

Workplaces: Operating theatres.

Community and Preventative Care Specialisations

Community Health Nurse

Focus: Health promotion and disease prevention.

Workplaces: Community health centres, schools, or outreach programs.

Public Health Nurse

Focus: Population health, education, and advocacy.

Workplaces: Government agencies, non-profits, or community organisations.

School Nurse

Focus: Children’s health and well-being in school settings.

Workplaces: Schools or educational institutions

Advanced Practice Roles

Nurse Practitioner

Focus: Advanced clinical care, including diagnosing and prescribing.

Workplaces: Hospitals, clinics, or independent practices.

Requirements: Additional postgraduate qualifications and 5,000 practice

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

Focus: Expert care in a specific area, such as diabetes, cardiology, or respiratory care.

Workplaces: Specialised units within hospitals or outpatient clinics.

Rehabilitation and Therapy Specialisations

Rehabilitation Nurse

Focus: Helping patients recover from surgeries, injuries, or chronic conditions.

Workplaces: Rehabilitation centers or hospitals.

Palliative Care Nurse

Focus: Supporting terminally ill patients.

Workplaces: Hospices, palliative care units, or home care settings.

Pain Management Nurse

Focus: Chronic and acute pain management.

Workplaces: Pain clinics or hospitals.

Education and Research

Nurse Educator

Focus: Training and mentoring nursing students or staff.

Workplaces: Universities, hospitals, or educational organisations.

Nurse Researcher

Focus: Researching to improve healthcare practices.

Workplaces: Academic institutions, research centres, or government bodies.

What are the Nursing & Midwives Titles in Australia?

The Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, in each state and territory (the National Law), has precise restrictions on nurses' and midwives' use of protected titles. 

The NMBA regulates the practice of nursing and midwifery in Australia, and one of its key roles is protecting the public. Only individuals who meet the required qualifications and are registered can use them.

The Australian Department of Nursing and Aged Care explains the different nursing titles and roles below:

Enrolled Nurses (ENs)

Enrolled nurses (ENs) complete a Diploma of Nursing through a vocational education provider to meet the EN standards for practice. ENs work under the supervision of a registered nurse and cannot act alone. 

• regularly recording patients’ temperature, pulse, blood pressure and respiration
• providing interventions, treatments and therapies from patient care plans (including administering medicines)
• assisting registered nurses and other team members with health education activities
• working in multidisciplinary teams and
• helping patients with their activities of daily living

With further study, an Enrolled nurse can become a Registered Nurse. A diploma of Nursing is usually credited with one year towards a Bachelor's degree in Nursing

Registered Nurses

Registered nurses (RNs) complete a 3-year Bachelor of Nursing or 2-year Master of Nursing through a university to meet the RN standards for practice. They have more responsibilities than an EN, and their scope of practice can include:

• assessing patients
• developing a nursing care plan
• administering medicines
• providing specialised nursing care
• working in multidisciplinary teams
• supervising ENs and junior RNs
• undertaking regular professional development
• performing leadership and management roles such as being a nursing unit manager or team leader
• working in advanced nursing practice roles.

Nurse Practitioners

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are RNs the NMBA has endorsed as NPs. NPs practice independently in an advanced and extended clinical role and can prescribe some medicines.

To be eligible for an NP endorsement, a nurse must:

• be a registered nurse with no restrictions on practice
• have 5,000 hours of experience at the advanced clinical nursing practice level in the past 6 years 
• have completed an approved program of study at a master's degree level and
• comply with the NMBA’s nurse practitioner standards for practice.

State and territory governments employ most NPs in acute care settings. Private settings also employ NPs as employees or in their own practice.

What are Midwives?

A midwife is a registered health professional who partners with women to provide the necessary support, care, and advice during pregnancy, birth, and the first few weeks after birth.

In Australia, midwives must have completed an approved course in midwifery through a university and register with the NMBA. The Health Practitioner Regulation National Law protects the ‘midwife’ and ‘midwife practitioner’ titles. Midwives are autonomous practitioners who work collaboratively with many other health professionals. A midwife may practice in any setting, including the home, community, public and private hospitals, birth centres, clinics or health units, including Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.

Midwife

Has completed a Bachelors in Nursing and Midwifery and/or a Graduate Diploma or Masters Specialising in midwifery. 

A midwife’s scope of practice includes:

• providing health support, care and advice to women before conception and during pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period
• promoting natural childbirth and identifying complications for the woman and her baby
• consulting with other health professionals and referring to medical care or other health professions when required
• implementing emergency measures.

Endorsed Midwife 

An endorsed midwife has done extra training and can prescribe certain medications.

To become an endorsed midwife, a registered midwife must:

• Meet the registration standards
• complete an NMBA-approved program of study that leads to an endorsement for scheduled medicines or a substantially equivalent program as determined by the NMBA
• register as a midwife in Australia without conditions or unsatisfactory performance
• complete the equivalent of 3 years full-time clinical practice (5,000 hours) in the past 6 years. Completed hours can be across the entire continuity of midwifery care or in a specified practice context. Recognised contexts of practice include antenatal, postnatal and antenatal and postnatal combined.

Studying Nursing in Australia: Diploma, Bachelors & Master's Degrees

Australia offers various nursing pathways to meet different career goals. 

For those starting their nursing journey, the Diploma of Nursing allows students to become Enrolled Nurses upon completing their Vocational (VET) course in 18 months. This pathway is perfect for those looking to enter the workforce quickly. The course is available to TAFEs and Private Training Organisations in Australia. 

For a more advanced course, the Bachelor of Nursing qualifies graduates to become Registered Nurses. This degree usually takes three years to complete, opening up a more comprehensive range of job opportunities and specialisations.

Internationally Qualified Nurses and Midwives (IQNMs) looking to further their education in Australia or register in Australia can opt to study for a Graduate Diploma in Nursing. This course can take 6 to 12 months to complete - depending on the specialisation and if they are undertaking OSCE and NCLEX 

Lastly, a Master's degree in Nursing can lead to career advancement. This qualification takes two years or longer if it involves specialised research. 

Bachelor's, Graduate Diploma, and Master's Programs are only available through higher education providers, such as Universities in Australia.

How much does it cost to Study Nursing in Australia?

The cost of nursing programs in Australia can vary based on qualifications, study locations, and education providers. As a General Guide, here are the prices of the most popular programs 

• Diploma of Nursing, leading to an Enrolled Nurse, is $ 30,000 - AUD 35,000
• Bachelor of Nursing, leading to a Registered Nurse, is $35,000 - $40,000 
• Graduate Diploma of Nursing is AUD 12,000
• Masters of Nursing is $35,000 - AUD 45,000

Requirements to Study Nursing in Australia: Visas, IELTS & More

Students must meet several essential requirements to study nursing in Australia. A compassionate character and a genuine desire to help others are crucial. Academically, a strong background in science subjects can be beneficial.

• Compassion: A caring nature and genuine desire to help others.
• Academics: Good grades, especially in science and English
• English Proficiency: Must have Proficient English, such as an IELTS score of 7.0 or equivalent in PTE, OET, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced Test 
• Student Visa for Australia: A requirement for international students to study legally. Candidate must satisfy the Student Visa (subclass 500) and admission requirements.
• Sound Character: No criminal history, meets health checks and immunisation requirements

Financial Capacity: International Students will be required to show evidence of finances to support their tuition and living expenses in Australia. Students studying nursing have a higher workload than many qualifications, and part-time work allowance will not be able to fund their stay alone.

What to Expect when studying Nursing Programs in Australia

Elevate your career with a prestigious nursing qualification that is recognised worldwide. This high-quality education program not only equips you with essential skills and knowledge but also opens doors to exciting opportunities in healthcare across the globe. 

While nursing is a profoundly fulfilling profession, it also comes with challenges and rewards. 

If you're thinking about a nursing career, it's essential to understand the challenges and rewards. This knowledge will help you decide if nursing is the right path.

How much do nurses get paid in Australia?

Nurses in Australia are paid based on qualifications, experience, sector and specialisations.

1. Enrolled Nurses (ENs) typically hold a Diploma of Nursing and work under Registered Nurses. The average annual salary is AUD 55,000 to $70,000. 
2. Registered Nurses (RNs) must complete a Bachelor of Nursing and hold full registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). They work in various settings, including hospitals and community health centres. The average salary is AUD 75,000 to $95,000 per year. 
3. For nurse Practitioners (NPs), the average wage is AUD 135,000 to $145,000 annually.
4. Midwives

NOTE: Salaries can increase based on experience, location, and the specific sector they work in. Nurses in rural or remote areas often receive higher wages to compensate for the location.

Specialised Nurses Pay

Specialised nurses possess advanced skills in critical care, oncology, midwifery, mental health, and pediatrics, often requiring additional education and certifications.

• Average salaries range from AUD 90,000 to $120,000 annually, with high-demand roles earning even more. 
• Examples include:  

1. Critical Care Nurses: Higher-end salaries, especially in ICU and emergency settings. The average salary is AUD 81,000 to AUD 121,165 annually
2. Mental Health Nurses: The average salary is AUD 95,000 to $105,000 annually.
3. Nurse Practitioners: The average salary is AUD 80,000 to AUD 95,000

Factors Affecting Nursing Salaries

Nurses' pay can also differ based on their work sector. Here's a quick breakdown by industry:

• Public Hospitals: Nurses working in public hospitals are typically paid under public health sector agreements, which set pay rates for public hospital nurses.
• Private Hospitals: Nurses in private hospitals generally earn similar salaries to public hospitals but may also receive additional benefits like bonuses or higher pay in specific specialties.
• Aged Care: Nurses in aged care typically earn between AUD 80,000 and $85,000 per year, depending on their role and experience.
• Community Health and Clinics: Nurses working in community health settings or clinics may earn between AUD 83,000 and $127,000 annually.

How Nursing Registration Works in Australia: Overall Registration Process

Two Bodies for Nurses to Know 

ANMAC (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)

• It is the official regulator for nurses and midwives in Australia. Their website provides detailed information about registration requirements, processes, and standards.

NMBA (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia)

• Their website is the official source of information for everything related to the regulation and professional practice of nurses and midwives in Australia.

Step-by-Step Guide to Registered as a Nurse

Once you have graduated or completed a bridging program in Australia, the Nurse Registration process is as follows: 

• Complete an Accredited Program: You must graduate from a nursing program accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).
• Apply to the NMBA: After graduating, apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) through the online portal.  
• Meet Registration Requirements: These typically include:
  • Providing evidence of your qualifications.
  • Demonstrating English Language Proficiency (for those from non-English speaking backgrounds).  
  • Meeting criminal history checks.  
  • Giving evidence of recent practice (may vary depending on your situation).  
• Pay Registration Fees: There is a fee associated with the application. 
• Receive Registration: If your application is successful, you'll receive your registration and be able to practice as a nurse in Australia.

Specific Requirements

• Enrolled Nurses (ENs):
  • Complete a Diploma in Nursing program.
  • May have a shorter registration process compared to registered nurses.
• Registered Nurses (RNs):
  • Complete a Bachelor of Nursing program.  
• Internationally Qualified Nurses & Midwives (IQNM):
  • Must have their qualifications assessed by the NMBA to ensure they are equivalent to Australian standards.  
  • May need to undertake further study or exams, such as the NCLEX-RN or an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).  
  • Need to demonstrate English language proficiency.  
  • More information about IQNM can be found: Link (TBC)

Maintaining Nursing Registration in Australia:

• Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Once registered, nurses must maintain registration by participating in Continuing Professional Development (CPD).  
• Renewing Registration: Registration must be renewed annually. 
• Specific Requirements: Always check the NMBA website for the most up-to-date information on registration requirements, as they can change.

**Where to find more information: Nursing and Midwifery Board