Australia has an especially high demand for nurses. Nursing schools, therefore, have high standards and are a great place to be for your healthcare career.
As hospitals and healthcare facilities continue to grow, demand for nurses will also stay consistent. Working as a nurse or midwife in Australia will therefore continue to be a very viable career path, after studying the courses included below. There are several pathways to becoming a nurse, from starting with a Diploma/Certificate in Nursing to completing a Bachelor of Nursing or a postgraduate degree as a Master of Nursing.
It is important to note that all programs in Australia are taught in English and you will be required to prove you are fluent as part of the admissions process.
Here is a guide to the best nursing schools in Australia.
Top Schools Offering Nursing Programs in Australia
1. University of Technology Sydney
The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is ranked as the best nursing school in Australia and the world for nursing and midwifery studies. Its nursing program ensures that students are exposed to a variety of techniques, as well as perspectives on the very different environments they may work in, from the different communities living in Australia to settings such as rural and urban.
The Bachelor of Nursing program can be studied over three years or, part-time, over six years, also offering the option of combined degrees with International Studies and Creative Intelligence and Innovation. After an additional one year of study, you can also obtain an honors degree.
UTS also offers a shortened Bachelor of Nursing under the Accelerated formula, which allows students to fast-track their studies if they are already enrolled nurses.
Finally, UTS allows students who are registered nurses and wish to enhance their knowledge, the option of obtaining an online Master of Advanced Nursing or a Graduate Certificate in Advanced Nursing.
2. Monash University
The nursing program at Monash University has trained nearly 18,000 nurses and midwives in the last 30 years, becoming a worldwide highly-ranked institution for those looking to start a career in this domain.
For undergraduate studies, Monash offers a Bachelor of Nursing or a Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery. Through these courses, you can become a registered nurse in three years, studying on campus and developing not just nursing knowledge, but also skills in clinical decision-making, communication, client care, and cultural competence, as well as research.
The Nursing and Midwifery program is an honors program that lasts four years and will give you even more versatile skills than the Nursing bachelor’s program.
If you want to go further in your studies, this top nursing school in Australia also offers a wide range of graduate programs in Nursing and adjacent fields (Midwifery Practice, Advanced Clinical Nursing, etc.).
3. Griffith University
Griffith University, a top nursing school in Australia, runs the best program in Australia for Nursing and Midwifery, also ranked 2nd worldwide. It combines excellent classroom tuition with practical placements across Brisbane and South-East Queensland and also ensures that students are exposed to more remote rural areas which are essential for nursing practice (and where there is high demand for registered nurses).
What makes Griffith so highly rated is also the student support and the excellent achievements in median salary for graduates of the university. It is also a leading research institution for nursing practice as well as healthy living promotion and the treatment of chronic conditions.
4. University of Adelaide
The Adelaide Nursing School is a leading force in South Australia for educating nurses and delivering them into gainful employment after graduation. The University of Adelaide is ranked the 3rd best nursing school in Australia for an overall educational experience.
During the Bachelor of Nursing program, you will have access to hands-on practice in high-tech simulation settings, as well as clinical and non-clinical placements in both urban and rural locations. This offers a broad range of experiences before a nurse begins their formal career, adding invaluable knowledge to that obtained in class and laboratories.
The University of Adelaide also offers several related programs of study such as Health and Medical Sciences, Oral Health, etc. Nurses looking for further study can get numerous graduate diplomas in specialized fields, too.
5. Western Sydney University
Western Sydney University is well respected domestically and internationally, offering a physical degree as well as an online Bachelor of Nursing program. For in-person tuition, you have a choice of multiple campuses where the Bachelor’s program is taught.
The School of Nursing and Midwifery also has a Midwifery track. The school is overall considered one of the excellent teaching institutions in Australia and is also highly regarded for its research. Researchers from Western Sydney University are ranked above the world standard in nursing research – especially in aged care, chronic conditions and disability, mental health, education, and workforce.
To simulate hospital settings, Western has Clinical Practice Units with teaching and practice rooms, a simulation room, and a control room. It also offers a wide range of postgraduate courses depending on the area you want to specialize in, such as mental health, child & family health, or midwifery, among other subjects.
Studying in Australia is not just about obtaining a degree but also about obtaining a world-class education with hands-on experience. Obtaining a nursing degree is an assurance of good preparation to help you meet the high demand for healthcare professionals both locally and globally.
We hope that this article on the top nursing schools in Australia was informative. To learn more information on studying in Australia, check out the Study in Australia Guide and Available Programs for International Students Page for more.
