Complete Guide to Growing your Career as a Registered Nurse in Australia

To become a Registered Nurse, you must complete a Bachelor of Nursing degree. However, you can become an Enrolled Nurse (EN) with a Diploma of Nursing (18 months to 2 years), which allows you to work in nursing under RN supervision. Many ENs later complete bridging programmes to become RNs.

Excellent. According to theAustralian Government’s Job Outlook, employment for registered nurses is expected to grow very strongly, with approximately 85,000 job openings projected through to 2026. Nursing consistently ranks among the most in-demand professions in Australia, particularly in aged care, mental health, and regional areas.

Graduate RNs typically earn $65,000-$75,000 per year. With experience, salaries range from $80,000-$95,000 for mid-career nurses, and $100,000-$130,000+ for senior or specialist nurses. Factors affecting salary include location (metro vs regional), sector (public vs private), speciality, and shift work (penalty rates can significantly boost earnings).See our complete salary guide →

Yes, but you must have your qualifications assessed and gain registration with AHPRA. The process involves submitting your credentials to theNMBA for assessment, meeting English language requirements (usually IELTS or OET), and potentially completing additional clinical requirements or bridging programmes. The process can take 6-12 months.

Registered Nurse (RN): Bachelor degree, autonomous practice, can assess and diagnose, administer all medications, create care plans.Enrolled Nurse (EN): Diploma qualification, works under RN supervision, can administer some medications, provides direct patient care.Assistant in Nursing (AIN)/PCA: Certificate-level training, assists with basic personal care under RN/EN supervision, cannot administer medications.

Yes, nursing can be physically challenging. You’ll spend most of your shift on your feet, walking long distances throughout the ward or facility. The role involves manual handling (assisting patients to move, transfer, or reposition), which requires proper technique to prevent injury. However, modern healthcare facilities provide equipment like hoists and slide sheets, and you’ll receive training in safe manual handling techniques.

Absolutely. Nursing offers excellent flexibility with full-time, part-time, and casual employment options. Many nurses work part-time (particularly those with families), and casual nursing (with higher hourly rates but no leave entitlements) is very common. Some nurses even hold multiple casual positions across different facilities. This flexibility is one of nursing’s major advantages.

Nurses work various shifts as healthcare is a 24/7 operation. Common shift patterns include morning (7am-3pm), afternoon (3pm-11pm), night (11pm-7am), and 12-hour shifts (7am-7pm or 7pm-7am). As a new graduate, expect to work rotating rosters including nights, weekends, and public holidays. Shift work attracts penalty rates that can significantly increase your take-home pay.

You must renew your AHPRA registration annually by 31 May. Requirements include: paying the annual registration fee (approximately $200), maintaining professional indemnity insurance (provided by most employers), completing 20 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) per year, declaring any criminal history or health issues, and demonstrating recency of practice (sufficient work hours in the past 5 years).

Most speciality areas require you to first gain general nursing experience, typically 1-2 years. Graduate programmes expose you to various specialities, helping you identify your interests. Areas like critical care, emergency, theatre, and neonatal nursing usually require completion of postgraduate certificates or diplomas plus demonstrated experience. However, you can express preferences during your graduate year and begin building skills in your area of interest.

This varies by setting and employment type. Hospital nurses working rotating shifts may find it challenging initially but often appreciate having weekdays off. Aged care and community nursing typically offer more regular hours. Many nurses value the flexibility to choose part-time or casual work. While nursing can be demanding, the ability to work part-time, access to leave entitlements, and growing focus on workplace wellbeing mean many nurses maintain good work-life balance.