Australia continues to have a high demand for nurses. Nursing schools, therefore, have high standards and are a strong place to prepare for a healthcare career.
As hospitals, aged care services, community health services, and other healthcare facilities continue to need qualified staff, nursing and midwifery remain viable career paths in Australia. There are several pathways to becoming a nurse, including starting with a Diploma of Nursing pathway, completing a Bachelor of Nursing, or pursuing postgraduate study such as a Master of Nursing.
It is important to note that nursing programs in Australia are taught in English. Applicants may need to prove English proficiency for admission and, where relevant, meet Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia English language requirements for registration.
Here is a guide to several highly regarded nursing schools in Australia.
Top Schools Offering Nursing Programs in Australia
1. University of Technology Sydney
The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is one of Australia’s highest-ranked nursing schools. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, UTS is ranked 16th in the world and 1st in Australia for Nursing. Its nursing programs expose students to a variety of professional settings, including the different communities and rural and urban environments in which nurses may work.
The Bachelor of Nursing program can be studied over three years full-time or six years part-time at the UTS City campus. UTS also offers a Bachelor of Nursing Accelerated Program: Enrolled Nurse pathway, which allows eligible enrolled nurses to complete the degree in two years full-time or four years part-time.
UTS currently lists the Bachelor of Nursing Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation as a combined degree option. New intakes into Bachelor of International Studies combined courses, including nursing combinations, are temporarily suspended.
UTS also offers postgraduate nursing options for registered nurses who want to enhance their knowledge. These include the 100% online Master of Advanced Nursing, with Acute Care, Critical Care, and Flexible major options, and online graduate certificates that can articulate into the master’s degree.
2. Monash University
The nursing program at Monash University is highly regarded in Australia and internationally. Monash lists Nursing as equal 19th in the world and equal 2nd in Australia in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
For undergraduate studies, Monash offers a Bachelor of Nursing and a Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Midwifery (Honours). The Bachelor of Nursing prepares students to become registered nurses in three years, while the combined nursing and midwifery honors degree prepares students to become both registered nurses and midwives in four years.
Through these courses, students develop nursing knowledge, clinical skills, communication skills, cultural competence, and practical experience through placements. The Nursing and Midwifery honors program gives students a broader qualification for both nursing and midwifery careers.
For further study, Monash also offers graduate programs in nursing and related fields, including the Master of Advanced Nursing, Master of Advanced Clinical Nursing, and Master of Nursing Practice.
3. Griffith University
Griffith University, a top nursing school in Australia, is recognized for strong nursing and midwifery education and research. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Griffith is ranked 30th in the world for Nursing. In ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025, Griffith’s nursing subject was listed as 3rd globally and 1st in Australia.
Griffith combines classroom learning with practical placements and offers nursing and midwifery programs across undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Its nursing and midwifery study area includes bachelor’s degrees, graduate certificates, graduate diplomas, and master’s programs.
The university is also known for health-related research and education connected to nursing practice, healthy living, and the treatment of chronic conditions.
4. University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide is now part of Adelaide University, the new institution formed through the merger of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia. Its current Bachelor of Nursing is designed to prepare students for registration as nurses with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
During the Bachelor of Nursing program, students complete 880 placement hours across a range of nursing practice environments. They also build skills in simulated environments under the guidance of academics and clinicians, with learning opportunities connected to real-world nursing practice.
The program is offered with on-campus and online elements, but international students should note that the university states they must study primarily on campus, with only limited online study permitted due to student visa requirements. Adelaide University also offers related postgraduate nursing study options, including graduate diploma pathways.
5. Western Sydney University
Western Sydney University offers an on-campus Bachelor of Nursing and a separate online Bachelor of Nursing. The on-campus Bachelor of Nursing is a three-year full-time program, with part-time study available, and is offered at multiple campuses. The online Bachelor of Nursing is a four-year full-time program and is available only to domestic students.
The School of Nursing and Midwifery also offers nursing and midwifery pathways, including postgraduate study options. Its Bachelor of Nursing prepares graduates for eligibility to apply for registration as registered nurses in Australia.
To simulate hospital and community settings, Western Sydney University uses Clinical Practice Units with teaching and practice rooms, simulation rooms, and control rooms. Students also complete professional experience placements in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, aged care, general practice, and community health environments.
Studying in Australia is not just about obtaining a degree but also about gaining a world-class education with hands-on experience. Earning a nursing degree can help prepare students to meet the 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.
