How to Become a Nurse in Australia

Nurses are some of the hardest-working people in Australia – and with hard work comes a fantastic sense of fulfilment. 

Nurses are in high demand across Australia’s health service right now. Between 2028 and 2033, there’s set to be 80,500 new job openings for registered nurses. That’s an increase of 24.5% over a space of five years!

 Whether you’re based in NSW, Queensland, or Sydney, in this guide, we’ll look at everything you need to know about how to become a nurse in Australia. We’ll explore study routes, experience you’ll need to gain, and which career routes are open to you once you graduate. 

How to Become a Nurse

Before studying to become a nurse in Australia, it’s worth knowing the difference between an EN (an enrolled nurse) and an RN (a registered nurse). 

• Enrolled nurses typically work with RNs in support roles. They’re responsible for planning and administering patient care, but are supervised by RNs with Bachelor of Nursing degrees. Unlike RNs, you need a Diploma of Nursing to become an EN.
• Registered nurses make up most of the nursing workforce in Australia. They’re high qualified healthcare professionals who might specialise in a specific area, such as geriatric or pediatric care. They can lead teams in unit manager capacities and often hold the most responsibility in specific departments. 

One of the most appealing reasons to become an RN is the impressive salary range. According to data published by Talent.com, the average RN receives a salary of around $83,700 per year. That goes as low as $78,000, and as high as $109,000!

 To become an EN, you’ll need to: 

• Obtain background checks (so you can work with children and vulnerable people)
• Study your Diploma of Nursing
• Register with the AHPRA, or Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
• If you want to study further, enrol for a Bachelor of Nursing 

The route to becoming an RN is a little more involved – which is why we’ve fleshed out the process in a few steps below. 

1. Complete a Bachelor of Nursing at University

The Bachelor of Nursing is the standard degree you’ll need to complete to become a registered nurse in Australia. 

Specifically, you’ll learn about pharmacology, anatomy, surgery, and physiology – with some secondary education in mental health, pediatric care, and more. 

Entry requirements for this type of bachelor degree might vary depending on where you study nursing. However, strong grades in science subjects are always a good starting point.

 You can study for English language BN nursing courses at any of the following accredited universities in Australia: 

• Deakin University
• Griffith University
• Monash University
• RMIT University
• The University of Adelaide
• The University of Melbourne
• The University of Queensland
• The University of Sydney
• University of Technology in Sydney
• The University of Wollongong

Of these establishments, Times Higher Education ranks Melbourne, Monash, and Sydney as the best for people studying to get into healthcare and medicine careers. This is based on a complex methodology – but it’s also worth listening to what students have to say.

 For example, Deakin University is one of the highest-rated in our list according to students, largely for the quality of course materials and support available.

 Many of the clients we’ve supported over the years have started searching for courses using ActiveStudy, which helps align you to degrees and universities with simple assessments. I honestly recommend it if you’re unsure of where to start.

 You can usually expect a BN degree to take up to three years. By comparison, it takes two years, on average, to obtain a Diploma of Nursing.

 Before applying for a BN, do also make sure you’re cleared with a Working With Children Check and a Police Check.

 You should also complete a full adult vaccination program. This is important simply because you’ll be working with vulnerable people in critical health care settings.

2. Gain Clinical Experience

Clinical experience in nursing helps you to put your theory training into practice with a leading clinic or healthcare provider. Many leading universities will offer clinical placements as part of your BN program.

Clinical experience as part of your BN will also give your tutors a chance to see how you perform in a physical setting. It’s a great opportunity for educators to help steer you in the right direction, and for you to ask questions about your practice.

Gaining this type of experience also helps to give you confidence when you’re working in the real world. Most of the nurses we’ve helped to support over the years swear by their clinical work experience – it’s a rite of passage in many ways, too.

If you already have a good idea of what you’d like to specialise in when you enter public health for real, consider looking for placements in specific areas.

For example, you could gain experience at a community health centre, at aged care facilities, or in a clinical practice specifically for antenatal and postnatal care.

Many people I’ve supported over the years have highly recommended looking for courses that specifically mention placements. I happen to agree – after all, hunting around for opportunities isn’t easy when you’re studying full-time.

3. Register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

After graduation, it’s time to actually register as a nurse! To do this, you’ll need to apply via the AHPRA, or the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. 

The AHPRA ensures that people employed in clinics and healthcare settings are legally allowed to do so – and that they have the requisite experience and qualifications to care for others. 

It’s important to re-register once a year to refresh your membership. From there, you’re fully registered and almost ready to start working as a nurse anywhere in Australia.

4. Maintain Continuing Professional Development with NMBA

After registering with AHPRA, you also need to sign up with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, or the NMBA.

The NMBA adds an extra layer of protection for the public. Register and pass checks applied by their board, and you will be fully cleared and ready to start working as a nurse. 

However, you might want to start thinking about further professional development. Do you want to continue working as an RN, or would you like to develop as a midwife, a mental health nurse, or as an oncology or end-of-life specialist? 

There will be plenty of opportunities to explore different nursing specialties once you find your first working placement. Take your time to reach out for advice and guidance on tertiary Australian nursing qualification paths.

There are plenty of postgraduate degrees and opportunities available for qualified nurses to study while they work full-time. If you gain a Master of Nursing degree, you could end up leading or teaching a team of your own. 

Nursing Careers and Job Roles

Once you graduate from a nursing degree and gain experience, there’s a world of opportunities. Some of our clients work in nursing specialities as broad as midwifery, aged care, and mental health. We even offer support if you’re working as a nurse educator! 

Here are some of the most rewarding nursing care roles and career opportunities available to you across Australia. Remember, too, that the average nurse salary for each role may vary.

Registered Nurse (RN)

Registered nurses, or RNs, are fully qualified health practitioners. They typically take full accountability during patient care, which typically means monitoring their health and providing medication. Some RNs even measure teams and units of their own.

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Nurse practitioners, or NPs, are RNs with additional qualifications and experience. They typically have Master’s degrees and are considered the most senior nurses in their departments. The title “Nurse Practitioner” is authorised by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

Enrolled Nurse (EN)

Enrolled nurses, or ENs, help to plan and carry out care for patients across all age groups. However, they act secondary to RNs, who supervise their activities. ENs frequently make up nursing teams headed by RNs.

Pediatric Nurse

Pediatric nurses specialise in caring for children. They liaise with families, offer pastoral care to young people, and ensure babies and children in hospital settings receive the diagnostics and medicine they require.

Midwife

Midwives specifically assist pregnant and nursing mothers. They support women through their pregnancies, providing checkups at-home and in clinics, assist with birth plans, offer dietary and general advice, and support births. They also keep regular checkups with mothers after delivery.

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Clinical nurse specialists are high-level healthcare operatives who frequently support the work of junior nurses in their teams. They carry out detailed patient assessments and help to develop treatment plans. These specialists also develop lesson plans and education materials.

Mental Health Nurse

Mental health nurses provide a range of care for people who are experiencing mental illness. They can help to diagnose conditions, promote healthy practices, and develop care plans. They can also intervene in specific cases and work to prevent mental and physical episodes. 

Conclusion

The nursing profession might have its challenges, but it remains one of the most rewarding career paths available across Australia.

Regardless of where your graduate certificate and nursing career take you, remember you always have an ally in MedShop. We’re here to offer you all the clinical supplies you need through university and beyond – into postgraduate study and the workforce.

 

Author: Carolyn Cumper's career spans from being a Patrol Officer in Rhodesia to a Paediatric Nurse in the UK, and later a Deputy Hospice Manager in Australia. Her diverse journey includes roles in law enforcement, healthcare, and business, culminating in her significant contributions to Medshop.