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Is Registered Nurse a good job in Australia?

Author

Emma Payne

Published Feb 25, 2026

Is Registered Nurse a good job in Australia?

Data from Job Outlook suggests that there is strong future growth for nursing in Australia. The number of people working as Registered Nurses grew very strongly over the past 5 years and is expected to grow very strongly over the next 5 years, from 279,600 in 2018 to 330,900 by 2023.

Subsequently, one may also ask, is nursing in Australia a good career?

Data from Job Outlook suggests that there is strong future growth for nursing in Australia. The number of people working as Registered Nurses grew very strongly over the past 5 years and is expected to grow very strongly over the next 5 years, from 279,600 in 2018 to 330,900 by 2023.

Beside above, how much does a RN earn in Australia? The average registered nurse salary in Australia is $79,381 per year or $40.71 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $77,138 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $97,308 per year.

In this regard, are registered nurses paid well in Australia?

Registered Nurses (RN) in Australia earn an average salary of $73,000 per year. Nurse wages vary based on location, qualifications, experience and seniority. A range of resources are provided below to assist in determining the pay for nurses and midwives in Australia.

Are nurses in high demand in Australia?

In particular, demand for qualified nurses is far exceeding supply in Australia, with current trends indicating an expected nursing shortage of more than 120,000 by 2030. As our population ages, and its needs evolve, the need for specialist nurses is also changing.

What type of nurse is most in demand?

Registered nurse (RN)

BSN-prepared nurses are the most sought-after RNs in the job market and can advance to leadership and management roles more quickly than the ASN nurse.

Is there a nurse shortage in Australia?

Health Workforce Australia (HWA) is estimating that there will be a shortage of over 100,000 nurses by 2025 and more than 123,000 nurses by 2030. The population of Australia has more than doubled over the last 50 years, and it is estimated there will be a shortfall of around 31,000 nurses by 2062.

Is it hard to get a job as a nurse in Australia?

Working as a nurse in Australia is not impossible, and it's a highly-demanded job. It is necessary to be well informed and aware of the path to follow to achieve this goal.

How many years does it take to become a nurse in Australia?

The Bachelor of Nursing is 3 years, full-time under the standard study plan. By fast-tracking you can complete the degree in 2 years, including clinical placements.

What is the highest paid nursing job in Australia?

Top 10 Nursing Jobs and Their Annual Package in Australia
  • Anaesthetist Licensed Registered Nurse. Average salary:- Between $105 K and $130 K per annum, roughly.
  • Researcher Nurse.
  • Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
  • Certified Nurse Midwife.
  • Paediatric Nurse.
  • Orthopaedic Nurse.
  • Geriatric Nurse.
  • Neonatal Nurses.

Which country pays nurses most?

Luxembourg - $60,000 to $125,000

Currently topping the list as the highest paid country in the world for nurses, this tiny country in Western Europe pays their nurses very well. Because of the tiny size of the country and its tax haven laws, getting a job as a nurse is extremely difficult.

How much does a GP earn in Australia?

Average GP salary

Based on a salary survey in Australia, a full-time General Practitioner on average earns between $200,000 and $350,000 per annum. However, by working more shifts in the evenings, weekends, completing procedures and managing chronic disease patients, earnings could increase to $500,000+.

What state in Australia pays nurses the most?

Highest paying cities in Australia for Registered Nurses
  • Canberra ACT. 253 salaries reported. $89,244. per year.
  • Adelaide SA. 12 salaries reported. $86,477. per year.
  • Cairns QLD. 56 salaries reported. $82,491. per year.
  • Perth WA. 309 salaries reported. $76,912. per year.
  • Newcastle NSW. 650 salaries reported. $75,735. per year.

What is a good salary in Australia?

The average salary in Australia is now just over $60,000, new data from the Australian Tax Office has revealed. Data from the 2018-2019 financial year shows that the average salary for Australians who submitted tax returns was $63,085, up by $1634 from the year prior.

Do student nurses get paid in Australia?

Students on placement are not paid, some told they are unable to work during this period and some even taking on casual work on top of their full time shifts to pay their bills. Placements range from 3 weeks to 8 weeks, that's a maximum of 2 months with unpaid work at 40+ hours a week.

Why are nurses paid so much?

High demand, the high cost of living and union power underlie the higher salaries of California's registered nurses. Burger said the nurse's union has also played a role in assuring that nurses have access to pension plans and that they retire with health benefits.

How much does a teacher earn in Australia?

The starting full-time salary for a classroom teacher in most Australian states is between $65,000 and $70,000, based on every enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) we examined.

How much do nurses get paid in Australia per week?

03 What Type of Nurses Get Paid the Most?
ClassificationHourlyWeekly
Nursing Assistant 3rd Year$22.37$850.20
Enrolled Nurse ay Point 1$23.52$893.90
Enrolled Nurse Pay Point 5$24.74$940.30
Registered Nurse Level 1, Pay Point 1$25.16$956.20

What is RN nurse salary?

Most registered nurses begin their career on a salary between $60,000 – $65,000. The beauty of the Nurse Award 2010, is that your pay will then grow 4-5% every year after that, until you have 8 years' experience. At which point, all nurses at this stage of the career will be on roughly the same amount.

How much RN make hourly?

So looking at these numbers, the average hourly wage is $30.95, which works out to be $61,157.20 as the average salary a nurse makes per year (before tax).

How much do graduate nurses earn in Australia?

The average graduate nurse program salary in Australia is $63,441 per year or $32.53 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $61,347 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $73,882 per year.

How can I get nursing job in Australia?

To work as a nurse or midwife in Australia, you need to apply for and be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). You may also need to apply for a visa issued by the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

What type of nurse is most in demand in Australia?

In-demand nursing jobs in Australia for overseas nurses
  • Mental health nurses.
  • Geriatric/aged care nurses.
  • Midwifery / obstetrical and gynaecological nurses.
  • Neonatal and paediatric nurses.
  • Forensic nurses.
  • International nurses – Australia wants you!

How nurses can migrate to Australia?

To work as a nurse in Australia, you must be registered through AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). But for registration you need to have a recognised Australian or overseas qualification. You also need to meet the English requirement for nurses.

How many nurses does Australia need?

According to the ABC, with approximately 9000 nurses in 2018, NSW will need approximately 13,000 nurses by 2030 but will have only 7,500 nurses available, reaching a little more than half the demand.

Are nurses in shortage?

Current nursing facts and statistics

For nearly a decade, the United States has been facing a critical nursing shortage. The shortage is expected to continue for several more years. In fact, over 1 million new registered nurses (RNs) will be needed by 2030 to meet healthcare demands.

What is the future of nursing in Australia?

The workforce planning projections in this publication show that in the medium to long-term, Australia's demand for nurses will significantly exceed supply (with a projected shortfall of approximately 85,000 nurses by 2025, or 123,000 nurses by 2030 under current settings).

How much is Diploma of Nursing at TAFE?

Cost
TAFE at School Full fee$4,270 - $7,575
Subsidised$13,915
Concession$12,100
Full fee$22,280
International$24,000

How much do mental health nurses earn in Australia?

The average mental health nurse salary in Australia is $96,593 per year or $49.54 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $77,386 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $118,839 per year.

What can an enrolled nurse do in Australia?

Tasks and duties
  • Observing, measuring and recording patients' vital statistics and reporting changes in patient's conditions to RNs and doctors.
  • Providing physical and emotional support to patients and their families.
  • Assisting with personal hygiene tasks such as bathing, showering and dressing.