Nursing is not just a profession; it is a calling that changes lives every single day. In Australia, this calling is met with world-class education, cutting-edge healthcare facilities, and a deep respect for those who dedicate themselves to patient care. From bustling city hospitals to rural clinics, nurses are the backbone of Australia’s healthcare system, and the demand for skilled professionals has never been higher. Whether you’re dreaming of becoming a compassionate Enrolled Nurse or aiming for advanced leadership roles, nursing courses in Australia open the door to a career that’s both personally fulfilling and globally respected.
Find the Right Nursing Course for Your Career Goals
1. Diploma of Nursing
Duration: 1.5–2 years (nursing course in Australia duration)
This is the starting point for those looking to enter the profession quickly. It equips you with the foundational clinical skills needed to work as an Enrolled Nurse under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. Graduates often step into nursing jobs in Australia in aged care facilities, community health, or hospitals.
Who It Suits:
- Beginners with no prior healthcare experience.
- Students who want a shorter, career-focused course.
- Those looking to start earning quickly while gaining practical skills.
- Individuals planning to use the diploma as a stepping stone to a bachelor’s degree.
What You Learn:
- Patient Care Skills: Assisting patients with daily activities, monitoring vital signs, and ensuring comfort.
- Medication Administration: Safe handling, preparation, and delivery of medications.
- Infection Control: Procedures to prevent the spread of infections in healthcare settings.
- Basic Health Assessments: Observing, recording, and reporting patient conditions.
- Communication Skills: Effective interaction with patients, families, and healthcare teams.
- Ethical & Legal Knowledge: Understanding the responsibilities and regulations of nursing practice.
Course Structure:
- A combination of theory-based learning in classrooms and practical training in simulated labs.
- Clinical placements in hospitals, aged care facilities, or community health settings.
Outcome & Career Path:
Eligible to apply for Enrolled Nurse registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
Work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse in:
- Public and private hospitals
- Aged care facilities
- Community health centres
- Private medical practices
Competitive nursing salaries in Australia and strong job demand nationwide.
2. Bachelor of Nursing
Duration: 3 years
One of the best nursing courses in Australia, this undergraduate program offers a strong mix of theory and hands-on clinical training. Graduates qualify to become Registered Nurses (RNs) with a broader scope of practice, giving them access to higher salaries and more diverse job opportunities.
Who It Suits:
- Students aiming for a full RN scope of practice from the start..
- Those interested in leadership, management, or specialised nursing roles in the future.
- Individuals seeking a globally recognised nursing qualification.
- Students are prepared for a longer academic commitment compared to a diploma.
What You Learn:
- Nursing Theory & Practice: Foundations of patient care, communication, and clinical decision-making.
- Pathophysiology & Anatomy: Understanding how diseases affect the body.
- Pharmacology: Safe and effective use of medications.
- Specialised Care Areas: Mental health nursing, paediatric nursing, aged care, and acute care.
- Evidence-Based Practice: Using research to improve patient outcomes.
- Clinical Skills: Large blocks of supervised clinical placements in hospitals and community health settings.
Course Structure:
- Mix of classroom learning, simulation labs, and real-world clinical placements.
- Placements often take place in hospitals, aged care facilities, and primary healthcare clinics.
Outcome & Career Path:
Eligibility to apply for Registered Nurse registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
Work opportunities in:
- Hospitals (public & private)
- Community health services
- Primary care clinics
- Aged care facilities
- Specialist units like the ICU, ED, paediatrics, or mental health
Higher earning potential compared to Enrolled Nurses, with nursing in Australia salaries for RNs ranging widely based on experience, location, and specialisation.
3. Master of Nursing
Duration: 2 Years
Perfect for students with a non-nursing background, this program enables career changers to transition into nursing. It combines theoretical learning with extensive clinical placements, preparing graduates for registration as an RN.
Who It Suits:
- Experienced RNs seeking career progression into senior clinical or managerial roles.
- Nurses wanting to specialise in areas such as acute care, mental health, or paediatrics.
- Professionals aiming for roles in nursing education, policy, or research.
- Those looking to increase their earning potential and expand their influence in healthcare.
What You Learn:
- Advanced Clinical Practice: Complex patient assessment, critical care, advanced procedures.
- Leadership & Management: Managing teams, healthcare systems, and resources.
- Research & Evidence-Based Practice: Conducting and applying nursing research to improve patient outcomes.
- Specialisation Units: Focused subjects tailored to chosen area (e.g., oncology, emergency care, mental health).
Course Structure:
- Coursework plus research components (depending on the university).
- Opportunities for clinical placements in specialised units.
- A combination of on-campus and online study modes at many universities.
Outcome & Career Path:
- Senior roles such as Clinical Nurse Consultant, Nurse Unit Manager, Nurse Educator, or Research Nurse.
- Increased leadership responsibility and higher nursing salaries in Australia compared to standard RN roles.
- Pathway to doctoral study (Doctor of Nursing or PhD).
4. Master of Nursing Science
Duration: 2 Years
The Master of Nursing Science is tailored for students with a non-nursing undergraduate degree who wish to switch careers and become a Registered Nurse. It’s an intensive, accelerated pathway that combines theoretical knowledge with extensive clinical experience.
Who It Suits:
- Career changers from fields such as health sciences, psychology, or even non-health backgrounds.
- Students wanting a fast-track entry into nursing at the RN level.
- Those looking for a globally recognised nursing qualification with strong job prospects.
What You Learn:
- Nursing Fundamentals: Foundations of care, patient communication, and clinical ethics.
- Biosciences: Anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology for clinical practice.
- Pharmacology: Safe medication administration and patient monitoring.
- Speciality Care Areas: Mental health, community health, aged care, acute care.
- Evidence-Based Practice: Integrating research into nursing decisions.
- Extensive Clinical Placements: Real-world practice in hospitals and community settings.
Course Structure:
- Intensive theory plus clinical training over a condensed timeframe.
- Placements across a variety of healthcare environments.
- May be delivered in trimester or semester formats, depending on the university.
Outcome & Career Path:
- Eligibility to apply for Registered Nurse registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
- Career options in hospitals, aged care, community health, and specialist nursing units.
- Strong demand and competitive nursing salaries in Australia for RNs.
Specialised Postgraduate Courses
These are short, targeted programs for Registered Nurses who want to upgrade skills or specialise in high-demand fields, boosting the job prospects for nurses in Australia. They typically take 6–12 months and focus on advanced theory and practical expertise in areas such as:
- Mental Health Nursing – Care for patients with psychiatric and emotional conditions
- Critical Care Nursing – Work in ICU and high-dependency units
- Emergency Nursing – Manage urgent and trauma cases in emergency departments
- Paediatric Nursing – Care for infants, children, and adolescents
- Oncology Nursing – Support patients through cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery
Requirements for International Students
Academic Qualifications
- Diploma or Bachelor: Year 12 (or equivalent). Science subjects like Biology, Chemistry and Maths are helpful.
- Master’s: An undergraduate degree. For the Master of Nursing Science, your degree can be in another field if the program allows.
English Language Proficiency
To register and practice after graduation, you must meet the English Language Skills (ELS) registration standard set by AHPRA and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. The standard accepts IELTS, PTE Academic, OET and TOEFL iBT, with specified minimum scores. There are also education-based pathways if you studied in recognised English-speaking countries. Always check the latest ELS page before applying.
Passport & Student Visa
You need a valid passport and a Student Visa (Subclass 500). To apply, you must be enrolled in a registered course and hold OSHC for the full study period.
Financial Proof
Evidence that you can cover Australia nursing course fees and living costs for the first year, as per visa guidance.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
OSHC is mandatory for international students for the entire duration of study
Health & Character Checks
Expect medical checks and a police clearance as part of the student visa and clinical placement requirements.
Top Universities and Colleges for Nursing in Australia
The University of Melbourne- It offers a world-class Master of Nursing Science with strong research and clinical placement opportunities.
The University of Sydney – Known for innovative nursing programs that combine evidence-based practice with leadership training.
Monash University – Provides diverse nursing pathways with a focus on global health and advanced clinical skills.
The University of Queensland is renowned for its Bachelor of Nursing program with extensive hospital partnerships.
University of Technology Sydney (UTS) – Industry-focused nursing courses with cutting-edge simulation facilities.
Cost of Studying Nursing in Australia
Tuition Fees by Program Level
- Diploma of Nursing: about AUD 20,000–30,000 per year
- Bachelor of Nursing: about AUD 30,000–45,000 per year
- Master of Nursing: about AUD 35,000–50,000 per year
- Doctoral programs: about AUD 40,000–60,000 per year
Estimated Living Expenses
International students should budget AUD 1,500–2,500 per month for accommodation, food, transport, and personal costs. Expenses vary by city. Sydney and Melbourne are on the higher end, while smaller cities are more affordable.
Nursing Jobs, Specialisations, and Salary Outlook in Australia
Australia offers a wide range of nursing jobs for qualified professionals, each with strong career growth and competitive pay. Popular roles include:
- Registered Nurse (RN) – Provides direct patient care in hospitals, clinics, aged care, and community settings.
- Clinical Nurse Specialist – Focuses on a chosen area like ICU, oncology, or paediatrics, offering advanced expertise.
- Nurse Educator – Trains and mentors nursing students and clinical staff.
- Nurse Practitioner – Holds advanced practice authority to assess, diagnose, and prescribe treatments.
- Nurse Manager – Leads nursing teams, manages resources, and oversees daily operations.
- Midwife – Specialises in maternity, childbirth, and postnatal care for mothers and infants.
Job Outlook & Salary
Nursing is one of Australia’s largest and fastest-growing occupations, with over 361,000 RNs currently employed and strong projected growth in the coming years. The median full-time weekly earnings for RNs are around AUD 2,156 (approx. AUD 112,000 annually), with higher pay available through specialisations, shift loadings, and rural or remote work allowances. This makes nursing one of the most secure and financially rewarding healthcare careers in the country., childbirth, and postnatal care for mothers and infants.
Conclusion
Nursing courses in Australia open doors to a career that’s meaningful, well-paid, and in high demand. Whether you start with a Diploma of Nursing, dive into a Bachelor of Nursing, or advance with a master’s or doctorate, you’ll gain skills that are valued worldwide. With strong demand for nursing jobs in Australia, competitive salaries, and clear specialisation pathways, this is a career where your work truly matters. Choose from the best nursing courses in Australia, compare nursing courses in Australia duration and fees, and apply early to secure your future in this rewarding field.
