Discover Career Opportunities

Launching Your Nursing Career in Australia

We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners.

Even before recent global health challenges, the demand for nursing professionals was already increasing across the Western World. Australia, alongside other English-speaking nations such as Canada and the UK, has been facing a significant shortage of qualified nurses, including both registered and enrolled nurses. This growing demand presents a compelling opportunity for aspiring healthcare workers to consider pursuing a career in nursing.

Of course, a nursing career isn’t something you should be actively pursuing just because it’s currently in high demand. That’s a good reason, but it’s far from the only one, or even the best one. In this article, we go over the most important aspects of nursing and why it’s a worthwhile career, especially in the Land Down Under.

Flexibility and Overtime Work

Generally speaking, a nurse will work in shifts of differing lengths. More often than not, these can range from a standard 8-hour to a lengthy 12-hour shift. However, the amazing thing about nursing is the fact that you can have quite a flexible schedule, even as a recruit. Not only can you pick shifts of different lengths, but you can also choose whether you will work day or night. We emphasize that because most recruits believe that you have to clock in a certain number of night shifts before you can progress or even think about doing day ones.

In addition to flexible hours, you can also work overtime and have it reflected in your earnings. For example, your wages will be higher than usual if you work a few extra hours a day or during holidays and special events. Of course, even regular nursing work is exceptionally hard, so working over the holidays can be insanely difficult. If you can, only work overtime sparingly to avoid burnout.

Job Security

For job security, nursing in Australia has been in such high demand that you are extremely likely to get employed a few months after graduation. And while the current pandemic is a horrific turn of events, it’s also, unintentionally, an excellent opportunity creator for potential employees in the healthcare sector. In other words, due to the increase in infection cases, both doctors and nurses are more in demand than ever before.

Explore the world of nursing down under! The healthcare sector is booming, offering opportunities for nurses to grow and lead. Kickstart your nursing career in a place where your skills are in demand and the rewards are plentiful. #NursingInAustralia Click To Tweet

Variety of Different Experiences

The dynamic nature of nursing is almost unique. For instance, even regular nurses or nursing recruits can do routine jobs throughout one day and assist during an extreme event the very next day. What’s more, you are not likely to be doing a lot of sitting down. Oftentimes, you might even miss lunch due to the active workload. It’s the kind of job that will keep you on your toes, literally and figuratively.

And speaking of figuratively keeping you on your toes, we have to discuss the different careers that come with advancing as a nurse. You might transfer to a school or an airport and work in a completely different environment. In addition, some lucky nurses even get a chance to accompany people on cruises — once again, drastically different from working in a hospital. In terms of career advancements, when you become an enrolled nurse, you are highly likely to lead a team of newcomers. It all comes with the territory.

Decent Salary Rates

A typical nursing salary in Australia is quite generous, to say the least. As a regular registered nurse, you can earn up to A$64,000, or somewhere around US$46,000. And keep in mind, that is just the average salary. Some of the top-earning nurses in the Land Down Under make well over A$140,000 a year!

Naturally, the sum you earn will depend on several factors. First and foremost, it will depend on the state or territory you’re in. Next, it will vary from city to city and from town to town. In addition, experienced nurses with years of work in the field will outearn newcomers. Finally, each facility has its own rules and regulations when it comes to paying its employees. Nevertheless, one thing is for certain — no matter where you start, you can expect a salary increase if you do your job diligently.

Steady and Secure Career Growth

There are no hard and set rules for career growth in any career. But when it comes to nursing in Australia, a pattern does show, and it looks a little like this:

  • Most people start as enrolled nurses
  • With a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, those people become registered nurses
  • A registered nurse will probably lead an entire team of nurses within a year of work
  • Upon earning a postgraduate degree, a registered nurse can become an advanced nursing practitioner or a consultant
  • With additional work, consultants and practitioners advance to executive directors of nursing, and later as directors of nursing

International Opportunities for Employment

As a non-native, before you can start work as a nurse in Australia, you will need to go over a few important things. But once you get everything in check, you will start work as soon as any native might. If you happen to have prior experience in the field back in your own home country, that can give you an advantage over the competition. And it goes even beyond that if you have experience in other fields related to nursing or general healthcare.

Personal Satisfaction

Imagine approaching a patient you’ve been checking on and tending to for a month or so only for them to tell you that they consider you one of their dearest friends. Alternatively, imagine someone coming across you on the streets and thanking you for tending to their friend, cousin, or loved one. Nothing can compare to that feeling that envelops you at that moment. That level of satisfaction, the fact that you help save lives daily, is possibly the single most important reason to pursue a career in nursing.

Nursing in Australia: A Few Closing Words

As you can see, there are several takeaways to consider about working as a nurse in Australia. It’s not a career one should take lightly, and it will require a lot of hard work and determination. But if you give it your all, you will progress professionally grow as a person, and be the pillar of your local community.

Additional Resources

  1. How To Become A Nurse Anesthetist
    $5.49

    CRNA school is extremely difficult, but for those who are determined to become CRNAs, it can be done. The CRNA program is very intensive, as it's a graduate-level program. Try to get any advantage you can to make your life easier. This book does exactly that.

    Buy on Amazon.com

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    04/23/2024 03:23 am GMT
  2. How to Become a Nurse: The Exact Roadmap
    $9.99

    Becoming a nurse doesn't have to be so difficult as you will find out from this book. You will learn all the tips and tricks to getting your nursing education toward a high paying job with lots of satisfaction and perks.

    Buy on Amazon.com

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    04/23/2024 03:17 am GMT
  3. Becoming a Nurse
    $25.94

    The ideal guide to finding out everything a potential candidate needs to know, Becoming a Nurse provides a thorough, up-to-date overview on the nursing profession

    Buy on Amazon.com Buy on Walmart.com

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    04/23/2024 03:23 am GMT
  4. How To Become A Registered Nurse
    $4.99

    *** Amazon Best Seller in Professional Development *** Have you ever thought about becoming a registered nurse, but were unsure if a career in nursing is good for you? Do you want to become a registered nurse, but are not sure if you have what it takes? Are you not 100% sure about how to become a registered nurse?

    Buy on Amazon.com

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    04/23/2024 10:17 am GMT
  5. Work At Home Jobs For Nurses
    $14.97

    Jane John-Nwankwo is a Registered Nurse who loves to write. She has authored more than 20 books ranging from Textbooks to Exam Preparation materials, and now to fiction which is termed "Nurses' Romance Series" Simply search "Books by Jane John-Nwankwo" On Amazon.com Visit her website: www.janejohn-nwankwo.com

    Buy on Amazon.com

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    04/23/2024 03:06 am GMT
  6. How to be a Nurse's Aide in a Nursing Home
    $10.00

    Have you ever thought about becoming a registered nurse, but were unsure if a career in nursing is good for you? Do you want to become a registered nurse, but are not sure if you have what it takes? Are you not 100% sure about how to become a registered nurse?

    Buy on Amazon.com

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    04/23/2024 03:12 am GMT
  7. How to Become a Nurse: The Exact Roadmap That Will Lead You to a Fulfilling Career in Nursing!
    $9.99

    This book can circumvent all your worries and uncertainties so you will take only the coursework necessary to get you where you want to be in nursing without wasting your time and tuition money on coursework that won't help you. 

    Buy from Amazon

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    04/23/2024 03:17 am GMT
Lasso Brag

What's next?

home popular resources subscribe search

You cannot copy content of this page