How to Study Nursing in Australia (7 Steps)

Nursing has always been among the top choices for international students. Along with competitive salaries and broad career paths, nursing can lead to opportunities in hospitals, education, neonatal care, community health, aged care, mental health, emergency care, perioperative nursing, and other fields.

If you plan to study in Australia, the country offers accredited nursing programs taught in English at undergraduate, graduate-entry, and postgraduate levels. If you wish to work in Australia, nursing remains an important profession in the health workforce, and there are many work opportunities in health and community services. Some graduates may later explore post-study or skilled migration pathways, but eligibility depends on current visa rules and should not be assumed. To work as a registered nurse in Australia, you must complete an approved program of study that leads to registration, meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia requirements, and apply for registration through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

So, keep reading to learn more about how you can study nursing in Australia and pursue a highly fulfilling career.

Steps on How to Apply for a Nursing Program in Australia

Step 1. Know What is Needed to Be a Nurse in Australia

If you have decided to pursue a nursing career in Australia, you should first understand the general qualification pathways. Australia has numerous courses that prepare students for nursing practice, but students who want to become registered nurses should make sure their chosen course is approved for registration purposes.

The first qualification level is usually a bachelor’s degree in nursing, which is commonly completed in three years of full-time study, although part-time options may be available depending on the university. For instance, at the University of Technology Sydney, students can obtain a Bachelor of Nursing in three years full-time or six years part-time.

After completing a bachelor’s degree, some students continue to postgraduate nursing study. Students who already hold a degree in another field may also be eligible for graduate-entry pre-registration nursing programs, depending on the university. Postgraduate nursing study can include areas such as critical care, emergency care, mental health, palliative care, community health, and other specialist nursing fields. An example of a university that offers a graduate-entry nursing program is the University of Sydney.

At the University of Sydney, the Master of Nursing is a pre-registration program that includes 96 credit points and clinical experience. For further education and career advancement, students can also pursue higher degrees by research. The University of Queensland, for example, offers a Doctor of Philosophy, which is generally completed in three to four years full-time or six to seven years part-time. Doctoral study usually requires an approved university degree, research experience, and English language proficiency.

After completing an approved nursing program, graduates can apply to become registered nurses in Australia. Registration is handled through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Graduating from an approved program is important, but applicants must still meet all registration standards before registration is granted.

Step 2. Research Top Nursing Schools in Australia

It is important to research your preferred school before applying. You will not find it difficult to find a nursing school in Australia, as many universities offer nursing programs. University websites are usually available in English, and you can find course details, admission requirements, tuition information, clinical placement rules, and registration-related information on official course pages. Each nursing school has specific criteria that you must meet to be eligible for its program.

You should also consider the location of the school when choosing where to study nursing in Australia. If location is not your main priority, you can focus more on the curriculum, clinical placement structure, reputation, accreditation, and career outcomes of the program. If the school fits your academic and personal preferences, you can start preparing your application by obtaining the required documents.

Step 3. Fulfill English Requirements

Australia is an English-speaking country. Therefore, it is necessary to have enough English skills to live and study nursing in Australia. Nursing programs usually require a specific English proficiency level as part of the course requirements. If English is not your native language and your previous education was not taught in English, you will usually need to provide proof of English proficiency.

For instance, the University of Sydney requires an English language declaration form for nursing applicants. Accepted test options include IELTS Academic with an overall score of 7.0 and at least 7.0 in each component, PTE Academic with an overall score of 72 and at least 72 in each component, and TOEFL iBT with a total score of 96, including minimum section scores of 24 in listening, 24 in reading, 27 in writing, and 23 in speaking. English test results must usually be recent, so check the current program page and faculty forms before applying.

Step 4. Prepare Your Finances to Study Nursing in Australia

Preparing the course requirements is only one part of the process. You also need to prepare your finances for tuition, living costs, health cover, course materials, uniforms, clinical placement expenses, and visa-related costs. Universities and the Australian Government need to see that you can support yourself while studying in the country.

The cost of tuition in Australia for international students is usually higher than for domestic students. Fees vary widely by university, program, campus, year of study, and study load. For example, the University of Technology Sydney states that fees are reviewed annually and that actual fees depend on the year of enrollment, study load, and subjects selected. Because fee amounts change, students should always check the official course page or university fee calculator before applying instead of relying on old per-credit-point figures.

You should also prepare for the financial capacity requirement for the Australian Student Visa. As of the current student visa settings, individual student visa applicants generally need to show enough funds for living costs, in addition to tuition, travel, and any family-related costs that apply to their situation.

Step 5. Start Your Application

Before starting your application, check whether you are eligible for the program. Nursing schools may have similar general requirements, but each university sets its own admission rules. Common requirements can include academic transcripts, proof of English proficiency, identification documents, and program-specific forms. Some programs also require clinical placement compliance checks, such as immunizations, criminal record checks, working with children checks, first aid certification, or other health and safety documentation.

At the University of Sydney, applicants for the Master of Nursing must meet English language requirements, hold an eligible prior qualification, complete an interview requirement, and be able to undertake professional experience placements. At UTS, Bachelor of Nursing applicants must meet academic admission and English language requirements, and students must also satisfy clinical placement requirements during the program. Because requirements can change, always check the official university course page before submitting your application.

Step 6. Apply to Nursing Schools in Australia

When you have prepared the necessary entry requirements, the next step is to submit them to a nursing school in Australia. If the school assesses you as suitable for the program, you may receive a full offer or a conditional offer. After accepting the offer and completing the required payment steps, the university can issue an electronic Confirmation of Enrollment, which is needed for the student visa application.

For a clear overview, here is an example of the application process from Monash University. After submitting your application, Monash University will assess whether you meet the course requirements and the student visa-related Genuine Student requirement. The Genuine Student requirement has replaced the former Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement for student visa applications lodged from March 23, 2024.

The university may ask for additional documents before issuing a full offer or a conditional offer. If you are accepted, you will need to follow the university’s offer acceptance process and meet payment requirements before receiving the Confirmation of Enrollment. You can also try Monash University’s study credit and admissions eligibility search to do a self-assessment and check possible credit eligibility.

Step 7. Get a Student Visa in Australia

This is the final major step to study nursing in Australia. Most international students apply for the Student Visa (subclass 500). Before you can apply, you generally need an electronic Confirmation of Enrollment from the university. The Confirmation of Enrollment is normally issued after you accept your offer and meet the university’s payment and enrollment conditions.

Student visa requirements can vary depending on your country, program, and circumstances, so you should always use the official Australian Government Department of Home Affairs document checklist. In general, applicants may need a valid passport, Confirmation of Enrollment, Overseas Student Health Cover, evidence of funds, English language evidence if required, Genuine Student responses and supporting documents, and health or character documents if requested. Visa fees and processing times can change, so check the official government website before applying.

To maintain your student visa while studying in Australia, you must follow your visa conditions. These can include maintaining enrollment, meeting course progress requirements, keeping Overseas Student Health Cover, updating your address, and following work limits. Most student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session, with more flexible work rights during scheduled breaks. Different rules can apply to master’s by research and doctoral students.

FAQs: Enrolling in a Nursing Program in Australia

Studying nursing in Australia is a strong option for students who want an English-taught education, clinical experience, and a pathway toward professional registration. The country offers undergraduate, graduate-entry, and postgraduate nursing programs, and nursing graduates can pursue careers in many health care settings.

There are also many health care work opportunities in Australia, although employment, registration, visa, and permanent residency outcomes depend on each student’s qualifications and the rules in place at the time they apply. If you’re interested in pursuing higher education in the medical field, check out our list of the most affordable medical schools in Australia.

We hope this article on how to study nursing in Australia was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying abroad!