Start Your Journey to PR through Nursing Courses in Australia

To practice as a nurse in Australia, the primary requirement is registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Additionally, you must meet several other criteria, which are outlined below. 

In Australia, there are two main types of nursing roles: Enrolled Nurse (EN) and Registered Nurse (RN). The first step in your nursing career is deciding which role aligns with your goals. Registered Nurses have more authority, higher pay, and require a higher level of qualifications compared to Enrolled Nurses. Most nurses in Australia are Registered Nurses due to the broader scope of practice and leadership opportunities this role offers. 

Registered Nurses in Australia are responsible for assessing and addressing patients' healthcare needs, including administering medication and monitoring their health. They also hold supervisory responsibilities and can manage teams or units, distinguishing their role from that of Enrolled Nurses. 

To become a Registered Nurse in Australia, you need at least a Bachelor of Nursing degree from an accredited institution. If your qualification is from an overseas institution, it may need to be approved by AHPRA, depending on the country of origin. In some cases, you might need to complete an Outcome-Based Assessment (OBA) course to have your qualification recognized as equivalent to an Australian degree.

Once your qualifications are in order, you must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) through AHPRA. This process will require various documents, including proof of English language proficiency.

After registration, you can apply for relevant skilled or sponsored visas to work as a Registered Nurse in Australia. Nursing is listed on the Skilled Occupation List, providing several visa options for migration.

Australia offers multiple pathways to Permanent Residency (PR) for nurses, which can vary based on specialization, degree, and work experience. Compared to many other professions, the PR pathway for nurses is relatively straightforward. Choosing the right visa option can accelerate the process of obtaining PR. Once nurses have lived as permanent residents in Australia for four to six years, they may be eligible for citizenship. Below are some key visa options for registered nurses considering migration to Australia. 

Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)

The Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) allows you to live, work, and/or study in Australia, including cities like Melbourne. To apply, you must first express your interest and be nominated by a state or territorial government, after which the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) may invite you to apply. To be eligible for this visa, you need at least 65 points and must meet other criteria. If your occupation is on a state’s occupation list, you can apply for state nomination as a skilled registered nurse.

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is for invited workers, eligible British Nationals (Overseas), Hong Kong passport holders, and certain New Zealanders with skills in demand by the Australian Government. This visa is highly competitive, with a limited number of places available. A high points score is essential to receive an invitation from the DHA. If you are invited, you can live and work permanently in Australia as a nurse.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)

The Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491) has two streams: one requiring state or territorial government nomination and the other requiring sponsorship from an eligible family member. This visa allows temporary residency in regional Australia, with the possibility of applying for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191) after meeting certain conditions. The Subclass 191 visa enables permanent residency, allowing you to work and/or study as a nurse in Australia indefinitely.

Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191)

Effective from November 16, 2022, the Subclass 191 visa is available to those who have held a Subclass 494 or 491 visa, lived, studied, or worked in a designated regional area for at least three years, and earned a taxable income of $53,900 or more annually. This visa grants permanent residency, allowing you to continue living, working, or studying in Australia.

Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482) (Medium-Term Stream)

The Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482) allows you to work as a nurse for four or five years if sponsored by an employer. The visa is available to overseas workers whose occupations are on the Skilled Occupation List. The duration is four years, or five years if you hold Hong Kong citizenship. Registered nurses should apply for the Medium-Term Stream, which may also provide a pathway to the Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186).

Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186)

The Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186) offers permanent residency, enabling you to live, work, and/or study in Australia. This visa requires employer sponsorship, three years of relevant work experience, and a successful skills assessment. If you hold a valid TSS visa and have been employed as a nurse for at least three years, you may be eligible to apply.

Benefits of Studying in Australian Regional Areas

The Australian Government encourages skilled workers to move to regional areas to address skill shortages. Studying in a regional area offers several benefits:

• You can gain an additional 5 points on the points-based system for studying in a regional area.
• Priority processing for regional visas.
• Exemption from the minimum salary requirement ($53,900) for the new Subclass 494 and 491 visas if employed in a designated area.
• Starting in 2021, international students graduating from locations outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane can benefit from an extended Post-study Work Stream on the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485).

If you have a passion for caring for the sick, elderly, or disabled, nursing could be the perfect career for you. Here are some of the top reasons why studying nursing in Australia might be the right choice.

Growing Demand

The demand for nurses in Australia is steadily increasing, driven by an aging population and a growing healthcare sector. According to Australia's Department of Health, the country is projected to need 85,000 nurses by 2023, with that number expected to surpass 123,000 by 2030. This escalating demand makes Australia a prime destination for international students pursuing a nursing career.

Competitive Salaries

Nurses in Australia are among the top earners globally. Registered nurses can expect to earn between $75,000 and $85,000 annually, depending on their specialization and experience. With nearly 30,000 new nursing positions opening each year, the healthcare industry in Australia offers strong job prospects and attractive salaries, placing nursing professionals in the top 20% of earners across all sectors.

Career Flexibility

A nursing degree from Australia equips you with skills that are highly transferable, allowing you to work in various healthcare settings worldwide. Whether you’re interested in trauma care, community health, or public health, nursing offers numerous specialization opportunities. Additionally, nursing careers in Australia offer flexible work hours, ranging from 4 to 12-hour shifts, making it easier to balance work with personal life.

Prestigious Universities

Australia is home to some of the world’s leading universities for nursing education. In fact, 12 of the top 50 institutions for nursing are located in Australia, according to the 2022 QS World University Rankings by Subject. This global recognition highlights the high standard of nursing education available in the country.

Additional Benefits

Australia also offers excellent healthcare coverage, the ability to bring family members along, and access to high-quality education for children. These factors, combined with the overall quality of life, make Australia an outstanding choice for studying nursing.

An enrolled nurse plays a crucial role in the healthcare system, working closely with registered nurses and contributing to patient care across various healthcare environments. They provide essential support and comfort to patients within the scope of their practice.

To become an enrolled nurse in Australia, you need to obtain a Diploma of Nursing (VET), which is the minimum educational requirement set by the Department of Home Affairs. This course typically takes up to 24 months to complete, including clinical placements that provide hands-on experience. After finishing the diploma, you must apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) to legally work as an enrolled nurse in Australia. Note that your registration with the NMBA must be renewed annually.

Nursing in Australia offers a wide range of career opportunities far beyond traditional hospital roles. With a nursing qualification, you can explore various specialized fields such as clinical nursing, medical research, orthopaedic nursing, paediatric nursing, neonatal nursing, mental health nursing, emergency nursing, midwifery, and anaesthesia nursing.

Success in the nursing profession requires a blend of the right education, patient compassion, dedication, strong communication skills, and adherence to professional ethics. If you aim to build a nursing career in Australia, it's important to have clear long-term goals. Consider which degree to pursue, the specialization that aligns with your interests, whether you wish to obtain permanent residency in Australia, and the quickest pathways to achieve your goals.