Australia has a documented and worsening nursing shortage. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare projects a shortfall of around 85,000 nurses by 2025, and the numbers have not improved significantly since that projection was made. Hospitals are short-staffed. Aged care facilities are operating below safe ratios in several states. Remote clinics in the Northern Territory and outback Queensland are advertising the same positions month after month.
That shortage is what makes nursing one of the most reliably viable migration pathways into Australia right now. Registered nurses appear on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List. Multiple visa streams are open. State governments are running dedicated international recruitment campaigns. Employers in Queensland, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory are offering relocation packages, accommodation subsidies, and sign-on bonuses to attract overseas-trained nurses.
Which Nurses Are in Highest Demand in Australia?
Demand is not uniform across specialties. Some areas have been short-staffed for years and show no sign of resolving quickly.
Intensive Care and Critical Care Nursing sits at the top of the shortage list in every major state. ICU nurses require post-graduate qualifications and several years of specialist experience, and Australia cannot train them fast enough to meet demand. Salary premiums in this specialty run 15 to 25 percent above the standard Award grade for an equivalent experience level.
Mental Health Nursing is a growing shortage area. Australia’s mental health system expanded significantly after COVID-19, both in funding and in patient numbers, and the nursing workforce did not keep pace. Mental health nurses with community care experience are particularly sought after, and several states have dedicated mental health nursing recruitment incentives.
Aged Care Nursing has the highest raw volume of vacancies. An ageing population and mandatory staffing ratio legislation introduced in recent years have dramatically increased demand. Pay rates in aged care have historically been lower than the hospital sector, though a federal pay equity decision in 2023 began closing that gap. The gap has not closed entirely, and this is worth knowing before accepting a role.
Remote Area Nursing offers the strongest financial incentives of any specialty. District of Workforce Shortage allowances, accommodation, vehicle access, and return flights home are standard parts of the package in many remote postings. Clinics across the Northern Territory, outback Queensland, and remote Western Australia operate with skeleton nursing staff and will consider overseas-trained nurses with relevant community or primary care experience.
Emergency Nursing remains in shortage despite being one of the more competitive areas to enter in metropolitan hospitals. Regional and rural emergency departments are significantly easier to break into and offer faster career progression.
Perioperative and Theatre Nursing shortages have intensified as elective surgery backlogs built up during the pandemic years. Scrub nurses, scout nurses, and PACU nurses are all in demand across private hospital networks including Ramsay Health Care and Healthscope.
Types of Nurses in Australia: What You Need to Know
Australia’s nursing structure is governed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law. Three registration categories exist.
Enrolled Nurses (ENs) hold an AQF Level 5 Diploma of Nursing. They work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse and have a defined scope of practice that varies slightly between states. Enrolled nurse roles are common in general medical and surgical wards, aged care, and community settings. The ANZSCO code for enrolled nurses is 411411.
Registered Nurses (RNs) hold a minimum AQF Level 7 Bachelor of Nursing degree and practise independently within their scope. Registration with AHPRA through the NMBA is mandatory before any clinical work can begin. The ANZSCO code for registered nurses is 254411. This code matters directly when you lodge a visa application, and using an incorrect code causes processing delays.
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) hold an AQF Level 9 Master’s degree in Nurse Practitioner studies. They have an extended scope of practice including prescribing rights and the ability to order diagnostic investigations independently. Nurse practitioners can apply for a Medicare provider number, which opens the door to independent billing and private practice. Salaries at this level are the highest in the nursing profession in Australia.
Midwives hold a separate registration category with the NMBA and can hold dual registration as both a Registered Nurse and a Midwife. The skills assessment and AHPRA registration pathways run separately for midwifery.
AHPRA Registration: The Full Process for Overseas Nurses
AHPRA, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, is the national body that governs registration across sixteen health professions. The NMBA sits under AHPRA and handles nursing and midwifery specifically.
Before going through the steps, one distinction needs to be clear because it causes real confusion among overseas applicants.
AHPRA assesses your qualification for registration purposes. ANMAC assesses your qualification for visa purposes. These are two separate organisations running two separate processes. Many overseas nurses assume completing one satisfies the other. It does not. If you are applying under a points-tested visa stream such as Subclass 189 or 190, you need an ANMAC skills assessment. You also need AHPRA registration before you can practise clinically. Both processes can run in parallel, and starting them simultaneously saves months.
The AHPRA Registration Pathway
Step 1: Check your qualification
AHPRA publishes a country-by-country qualification guide on its website. Some overseas nursing degrees are considered substantially equivalent to Australian standards. Others require additional assessment or bridging components. Check your specific country and institution before assuming your qualification will be accepted without further requirements.
Step 2: Gather your documents
You need certified copies of your nursing qualification and academic transcripts, evidence of current registration in your home country, a certificate of good standing issued by your home country nursing regulator, and a passport-quality identity document. All documents in languages other than English require a certified translation.
Step 3: Submit the AHPRA application
Applications are submitted online through the AHPRA portal. The application fee for overseas-trained nurses is currently around $360. You will be assigned a case officer and given a reference number for tracking.
Step 4: English language requirement
AHPRA accepts two English language tests. The Occupational English Test (OET) requires a minimum B grade in all four components: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) requires a minimum overall band of 7.0, with no individual band below 7.0.
OET is healthcare-specific. The reading and listening passages are clinical in nature, and the writing task requires drafting a patient referral letter. Most nurses with clinical English experience find OET more manageable because the content is familiar. IELTS is a more general academic test and can be harder for clinical professionals to score well on in the writing component.
Some employers specify OET preference. Queensland Health, in particular, notes OET as the preferred test in several of its international recruitment materials. If you are considering applying directly to Queensland Health, OET is worth prioritising.
Step 5: Competency Assessment Program (if required)
Not every overseas nurse will need the Competency Assessment Program. AHPRA requires it when an applicant’s qualification is assessed as not substantially meeting Australian nursing standards.
The CAP involves a supervised clinical placement at an approved Australian healthcare facility. The placement duration varies but typically runs between three and six months. During the CAP, you work under supervision and are assessed against the NMBA’s Registered Nurse Standards for Practice.
If AHPRA indicates the CAP will be required, factor it into your timeline. Securing a CAP placement can itself take several months after the assessment outcome is received.
Step 6: Registration granted
AHPRA registration is valid for twelve months and must be renewed annually before 31 May. The renewal process requires evidence of continuing professional development and a declaration of no criminal history or conduct matters.
Realistic total timeline: 3 to 6 months from application submission to registration granted, assuming no CAP requirement and no document issues. Add 3 to 6 months if the CAP is required.
ANMAC Skills Assessment: What It Is and When You Need It
ANMAC, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council, is the assessing authority recognised by the Department of Home Affairs for nursing visa applications.
A positive ANMAC skills assessment is required if you are applying under any points-tested visa subclass: 189, 190, or 491. It is not always required for employer-sponsored pathways (482 and 186), but having one strengthens your application and some employers request it regardless.
The ANMAC assessment examines your qualification, your clinical experience, and your English language results. Processing currently takes 8 to 12 weeks. The fee is approximately $400.
Documents required include certified academic transcripts, evidence of clinical experience in a hospital or healthcare setting, current registration certificate, certificate of good standing, and your English language test results.
The outcome is either a positive assessment, a positive assessment with conditions, or a negative assessment. A conditional positive typically means AHPRA will require the CAP. A negative assessment means the qualification does not meet Australian standards and the pathway requires further bridging study.
Visa Options for Nurses Moving to Australia
Six visa pathways are realistically available to overseas-trained nurses. The right one depends on your employment situation, your points score, your age, and how quickly you want permanent residency.
Skills in Demand Visa (Formerly Subclass 482)
The Skills in Demand visa replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage visa in late 2024. Nursing sits in the Specialist Skills stream under this visa, which carries a higher salary threshold than the Core Skills stream but also more flexible mobility between employers.
To access this visa, you need an approved employer sponsor. The employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor. Large hospital networks, aged care providers, and state health departments already hold this status. Smaller regional hospitals and clinics often need to obtain it first, which adds time to the process.
The initial grant period is up to four years. After two years of employment with the sponsoring employer, you can apply for a Subclass 186 employer nomination visa for permanent residency.
Current processing times: 3 to 9 months.
Subclass 186: Employer Nomination Scheme
The 186 visa grants permanent residency from the date of approval. It requires employer nomination and is available via two streams.
The Temporary Residence Transition stream is the route taken after two years on a 482 or Skills in Demand visa with the same employer. It is the most common pathway to permanent residency among overseas nurses already working in Australia.
The Direct Entry stream allows a first-time applicant to apply directly for permanent residency without a prior temporary visa, provided the employer nominates them. A skills assessment is typically required. The age limit is under 45 at the time of application.
Processing time: 6 to 12 months.
Subclass 189: Skilled Independent
The 189 visa grants permanent residency with no requirement for employer sponsorship or state nomination. It is points-tested, requiring a minimum of 65 points.
Points are calculated based on age, English language ability, years of skilled work experience, Australian study, and other factors. Nursing on the MLTSSL means invitations are issued relatively regularly compared to occupations not on the list.
The 189 is the most flexible visa because it carries no obligation to a specific employer or state. Many overseas nurses target this stream once they have accumulated enough points.
Processing time: 6 to 18 months currently.
Subclass 190: Skilled Nominated
The 190 adds 5 points to your score in exchange for a commitment to live and work in the nominating state for at least two years. Every Australian state and territory nominates nurses under this program, though quota availability varies by state and by time of year.
Western Australia and South Australia have historically been more generous with nursing nominations than New South Wales and Victoria, which fill their quotas quickly.
Processing time: 6 to 12 months.
Subclass 491: Skilled Work Regional
The 491 adds 15 points to your score, making it the most powerful points-booster available. It requires nomination by a state/territory government or sponsorship by an eligible relative living in a regional area.
Holders must live and work in a designated regional area for three years. After that period, they can apply for a Subclass 191 permanent visa.
Regional Queensland, regional Western Australia, South Australia outside Adelaide, and the Northern Territory all have active nursing nomination streams under the 491.
Processing time: 6 to 12 months.
Which Pathway Gets Nurses to PR Fastest?
For most overseas nurses arriving without existing Australian work experience, the Skills in Demand visa to Subclass 186 transition is the fastest employer-sponsored route to permanent residency: roughly 2 to 3 years total including processing time.
For nurses with strong points scores (80 points or above), the Subclass 189 can deliver permanent residency in one step, often faster than the employer-sponsored route when processing times align.
Regional nurses who commit to the Northern Territory or remote Queensland can reach permanent residency via the 491 to 191 pathway in around three years, often with significantly stronger financial packages than metropolitan roles.
| Visa | PR? | Employer Required | Approx. Timeline to PR |
| Skills in Demand + 186 | Via transition | Yes | 3 to 4 years |
| 186 Direct Entry | Immediate | Yes | 6 to 12 months |
| 189 Skilled Independent | Immediate | No | 6 to 18 months |
| 190 Skilled Nominated | Immediate | No (state nom.) | 6 to 12 months |
| 491 + 191 Regional | Via 191 | No (state nom.) | 3 to 4 years |
Nurse Salary in Australia: The Real Numbers
The salary conversation has two parts: what the legal minimum is, and what nurses actually earn.
The Nurses Award 2020
Every nurse in Australia is protected by the Nurses Award 2020, a federal instrument that sets the legal pay floor. No employer can pay below these rates regardless of what an employment contract says.
The Award divides registered nurses into grades and years of experience. A Grade 1 Year 1 nurse, typically a new graduate, currently earns approximately $72,000 per year at the base Award rate. Most nurses in the public hospital system earn above Award rates because of enterprise agreements negotiated at the state level.
Salary by Grade
| Grade | Role Level | Approx. Annual Salary | Hourly Equivalent |
| Grade 1 Year 1 | New Graduate RN | $72,000 | $36.90 |
| Grade 1 Year 3 | Experienced new grad | $76,000 | $38.97 |
| Grade 2 | Experienced RN | $82,000 | $42.05 |
| Grade 3 | Clinical Nurse Specialist | $92,000 | $47.18 |
| Grade 4 | Clinical Nurse Consultant | $102,000 | $52.31 |
| Grade 5 to 6 | Senior CNC / Educator | $118,000 | $60.51 |
| Grade 7 to 8 | Nurse Manager / Director | $140,000+ | $71.79+ |
| Nurse Practitioner | Extended scope | $125,000 to $155,000 | $64.10 to $79.49 |
Superannuation: The Component Most Overseas Nurses Miss
On top of every salary figure above, employers are legally required to contribute 11.5 percent of your salary into a superannuation fund. This is not deducted from your salary. It is paid in addition to it.
A Grade 2 nurse earning $82,000 receives an additional $9,430 per year in employer superannuation contributions. A nurse practitioner on $140,000 receives an additional $16,100.
When overseas nurses compare Australian salaries to what they earn at home, adding super to the base salary is necessary to make the comparison accurate. Most salary comparison tools and job advertisements do not make this clear, and many overseas nurses underestimate their total Australian compensation as a result.
What Is the Lowest Nurse Salary in Australia?
The lowest legally permissible salary under the Nurses Award 2020 for a Registered Nurse is the Grade 1 Year 1 rate, currently around $72,000 per year. Below this rate is unlawful regardless of what an employment contract says.
Enrolled nurses have a separate Award rate, currently starting at approximately $58,000 per year at the base grade.
Which State Pays Nurses the Most?
Western Australia pays the highest base rates in the country. The WA public sector enterprise agreement sits consistently above equivalent rates in NSW and Victoria. Remote area allowances in WA’s outback regions add further to the total package.
Queensland is the second strongest state for nursing pay. Queensland Health’s enterprise agreement includes strong shift allowances, penalty rates, and annual leave loading. Regional Queensland adds District of Workforce Shortage payments on top.
The ACT has high base salaries in the public system and a relatively low cost of living compared to Sydney or Melbourne, making it strong on a net-income basis.
New South Wales and Victoria have the highest raw number of nursing jobs but are not the strongest payers. The cost of living in Sydney and Melbourne further reduces the effective value of those salaries.
The Northern Territory pays remote area nurses the highest total packages in the country when allowances and subsidies are included. Base salary is supplemented by accommodation, vehicle use, flights home, and remote area tax offsets.
Public vs. Private: The Pay Difference
Public hospital nurses are covered by state enterprise agreements that typically deliver 5 to 15 percent above the Award base. They also receive stronger penalty rates for evening, night, and weekend shifts.
Private hospital nurses, employed through networks like Ramsay Health Care and Healthscope, often have a lower base rate but can access salary packaging arrangements that reduce taxable income. Salary packaging in private hospitals allows nurses to package up to $9,010 of expenses as pre-tax income, effectively increasing take-home pay without increasing the gross salary.
Aged care nurses fall under a separate Award and have historically earned less than hospital nurses. The government’s 2023 aged care pay equity decision increased rates, but aged care nursing still sits below equivalent public hospital rates at most grade levels.
Agency Nursing Pay Premium
Agency nurses earn 20 to 40 percent above the standard Award rate for comparable shifts. The trade-off is the absence of paid leave, job security, and employer superannuation contributions at the standard rate. Most agencies require a minimum of 12 months Australian clinical experience before placing a nurse.
For overseas nurses in their first year who have cleared registration and are building local experience, agency work is a viable way to earn a significantly higher hourly rate while accumulating the experience that permanent employers require.
Do Nurses Pay Tax in Australia?
Overseas nurses arriving in Australia need to apply for a Tax File Number through the Australian Taxation Office website. Without one, employers are required to withhold tax at the highest marginal rate of 47 percent. Apply in the first week of arrival.
The Australian tax-free threshold is $18,200 per year. Any income above that is taxed at progressive marginal rates. A Grade 1 nurse earning $72,000 falls into the 32.5 percent marginal tax bracket on income above $45,000. The Medicare Levy of 2 percent applies to most residents on top of the standard income tax rate.
In practical terms, a registered nurse on $80,000 gross takes home approximately $60,500 to $62,000 per year after income tax and the Medicare Levy, depending on deductions claimed.
Which Part of Australia Is Best for Nurses?
The answer depends on what you are optimising for.
Highest total income: Northern Territory, specifically remote area postings. The combination of base salary, remote area allowances, subsidised accommodation, and remote area tax offsets produces the highest total financial package available in Australian nursing.
Highest base salary: Western Australia, particularly in the public system and regional areas.
Most job volume: New South Wales and Victoria. Sydney and Melbourne have the largest hospital networks in the country. Competition for roles is higher, salaries are not the strongest, and the cost of living is the highest.
Fastest pathway to permanent residency: Northern Territory and regional Queensland via the Subclass 491 stream. Consistent nomination quotas are available and employer support for skilled migration is strong.
Best work-life balance: South Australia and Tasmania receive consistent mentions among nurses who have worked across multiple states. Adelaide has a significantly lower cost of living than Sydney or Melbourne, and the public hospital system there has a reasonable reputation for rostering practices.
Best for career progression: Victoria, specifically Melbourne. The concentration of major tertiary hospitals and research institutions makes Victoria the strongest state for nurses pursuing specialisation, post-graduate education, and academic careers.
State-by-State Breakdown
Queensland
Queensland Health is one of the most active international nursing recruiters in the country. The department runs dedicated overseas nursing recruitment campaigns and has a specific international recruitment team that assists with AHPRA registration, visa support, and relocation.
Hospital networks across North Queensland, including Townsville University Hospital and Cairns Hospital, recruit internationally on a regular basis. Tropical allowances apply in North Queensland postings. The enterprise agreement sits above the national Award minimum.
Queensland also has strong 491 regional nomination quotas for nurses, making it one of the better states for overseas nurses targeting permanent residency through the regional pathway.
Western Australia
WA Health pays above the national average at every grade level. The resource sector’s effect on the broader WA economy drives wages up across all industries, and health is no exception.
Regional WA postings come with the strongest allowance packages outside the Northern Territory. Kalgoorlie, Port Hedland, and Broome all have hospital facilities with regular nursing vacancies. WA Health has an international workforce recruitment programme and assists overseas nurses with AHPRA documentation.
New South Wales
NSW Health operates the largest state hospital network in Australia. Sydney’s major teaching hospitals, including Royal Prince Alfred, Westmead, and Prince of Wales, recruit at scale but also attract the highest number of applicants.
Regional NSW offers better entry prospects. The Hunter Valley, Central West, and Far West regions all have consistent nursing vacancies. NSW state nominations under the 190 fill quickly, so monitoring the nomination schedule closely is worth doing.
Northern Territory
The NT has the most acute nursing shortage in the country. Remote area nursing roles in communities across Arnhem Land, the Kimberley border regions, and Central Australia are difficult to fill and carry the strongest financial packages available.
Nurses working in NT remote postings typically receive accommodation, vehicle access, return flights to their home city several times per year, and remote area tax offsets in addition to base salary. The total package value routinely exceeds what metropolitan nurses earn in gross salary terms.
The NT government also has active 491 nomination allocations for nurses, and the transition to permanent residency via the 191 is well-supported.
Victoria
Victoria’s public hospital system is underpinned by strong union representation from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, which has historically delivered strong enterprise agreement outcomes. Melbourne’s major hospitals are well-resourced and internationally regarded.
The state is harder to break into as an overseas nurse because competition is high. Regional Victoria, including Ballarat, Bendigo, and the Latrobe Valley, offers more accessible entry points.
South Australia
SA Health has a reputation for being one of the more stable public systems to work in. Salaries sit slightly below the WA and Queensland benchmarks, but Adelaide’s cost of living is the lowest of Australia’s major cities.
The state has active international recruitment programmes and regularly opens 190 nominations for nurses.
Qualifications Required to Work as a Nurse in Australia
Requirements differ between Australian-trained and overseas-trained nurses.
Australian-trained Registered Nurses need a minimum AQF Level 7 Bachelor of Nursing degree completed at an AHPRA-accredited provider, plus AHPRA registration with the NMBA. No skills assessment is required.
Overseas-trained Registered Nurses need their qualification assessed by AHPRA as meeting Australian standards, evidence of current registration in the home country, a certificate of good standing, English language test results meeting the AHPRA minimums, and potentially completion of the Competency Assessment Program depending on the assessment outcome.
Enrolled Nurses need an AQF Level 5 Diploma of Nursing from an AHPRA-accredited provider if trained in Australia, or an equivalent overseas qualification assessed by AHPRA.
Work experience requirements vary by employer. Most hospital employers prefer a minimum of one to two years post-qualification clinical experience. Aged care providers are often more flexible. Specialty areas like ICU and emergency typically require demonstrable experience in the relevant specialty plus post-graduate qualifications.
FAQ
What type of nurses are in demand in Australia?
ICU nurses, mental health nurses, aged care nurses, and remote area nurses face the most persistent shortages. Theatre nurses and emergency nurses are also consistently in demand, particularly in regional and rural areas.
Is Australia giving PR to nurses?
Multiple permanent visa pathways are available: Subclass 186 via employer nomination, Subclass 189 via the points test, Subclass 190 via state nomination, and the Subclass 491 to 191 regional pathway. Nursing appears on the MLTSSL, which means it qualifies across all these streams.
What is the lowest nurse salary in Australia?
The lowest lawful salary under the Nurses Award 2020 for a Registered Nurse is the Grade 1 Year 1 rate, approximately $72,000 per year. Enrolled Nurses start at around $58,000 per year. Employers cannot pay below these rates.
Which part of Australia is best for nurses? Western Australia and the Northern Territory pay the most. New South Wales and Victoria have the most roles. Queensland and the NT offer the fastest regional PR pathways. South Australia offers the best balance of salary and cost of living.
What qualifications do nurses need in Australia?
Australian-trained nurses need a Bachelor of Nursing and AHPRA registration. Overseas-trained nurses need their qualification assessed by AHPRA, a certificate of good standing, English language test results (OET or IELTS), and potentially the Competency Assessment Program.
Do nurses pay tax in Australia?
A nurse earning $80,000 gross takes home approximately $61,000 after income tax and the Medicare Levy. A Tax File Number must be obtained through the ATO on arrival, otherwise employers withhold tax at 47 percent.
Which type of nurse is in highest demand in Australia?
ICU and critical care nurses face the sharpest shortage nationally. Remote area nurses are in the highest demand relative to available candidates in their specific locations.
How long does AHPRA registration take for overseas nurses?
Three to six months from application submission to registration granted, assuming no document issues and no CAP requirement. If the Competency Assessment Program is required, add another three to six months for the supervised placement component.
Can I apply for an Australian visa before AHPRA registration is granted?
Skills in Demand and 186 employer-sponsored visa applications do not require AHPRA registration at the time of lodgement, though employers will not allow clinical practice until registration is confirmed. For points-tested visas, a positive ANMAC assessment is required, which is separate from AHPRA registration.
What is the difference between AHPRA and ANMAC?
AHPRA registers you to practise nursing in Australia. ANMAC assesses your qualification for visa application purposes. Both processes are required for most overseas nurses but run independently. Starting them at the same time reduces the overall timeline significantly.
Summary
Australia’s nursing shortage is structural and ongoing. Demand exists across specialties, states, and care settings, and the visa infrastructure supporting overseas nurses is well-established.
The path in is straightforward in outline: obtain AHPRA registration, complete an ANMAC skills assessment if using a points-tested visa, secure a job offer or build your points score, and lodge the appropriate visa application.
The details are where most overseas nurses lose time. Starting the AHPRA and ANMAC processes simultaneously rather than sequentially saves three to four months. Choosing OET over IELTS often produces better results for clinical professionals. Understanding the grade structure and superannuation before negotiating a salary ensures you are comparing compensation accurately across countries.
