Australia is currently one of the top choices for international students who want to study nursing. With world-class universities, a high demand for nursing professionals and a wide-open pathway to permanent residency, choosing to study nursing in Australia is a wise choice and a reasonable investment for the future. 

The guide below will give you a comprehensive view of nursing in Australia, including the study programs and entry requirements from top universities, with steps on how to apply to study abroad.

What is Nursing Studies in Australia?

Nursing is an important profession in the health care field. Nurses work closely with doctors to care for and treat patients. Although they are not responsible for diagnosing illnesses or prescribing medications, they play an essential role in monitoring health conditions, providing emotional support, and performing treatment procedures for patients.

Students learn and practice in the field of medical science and health care with specialised subjects including:

• Anatomy and physiology

• Pharmacology and medication management

• Health assessment and clinical decision-making

• Mental health and community health

• Aged care and chronic illness management

• Evidence-based practice and professional ethics

  
  

The Bachelor of Nursing in Australia is generally a three-year degree of full-time study that  combines lectures, simulation labs, and supervised clinical placements in hospitals, aged-care facilities, and community health centres. At the postgraduate level, programs like the Master of Nursing focus on advanced clinical practice, research, leadership skills, and specialised areas such as midwifery, mental health, or critical care.

Why Study Nursing in Australia?

• Ensuring career stability with high demand for human resources in the healthcare industry.

• Opportunities to practice at top quality hospitals and clinics in Australia.

• Open pathway to Australian migration through nursing career.

• Study in a multicultural environment and experience sharing knowledge with other countries.

• Globally recognised degrees and open worldwide career opportunities.Ensuring career stability with high demand for human resources in the healthcare industry.

• Opportunities to practice at top quality hospitals and clinics in Australia.

• Open pathway to Australian migration through nursing career.

• Study in a multicultural environment and experience sharing knowledge with other countries.

• Globally recognised degrees and open worldwide career opportunities.

Top Universities with Nursing Programs

	Diploma of Nursing	Bachelor of Nursing	Master of Nursing
The University of Melbourne			✅ (Nursing Science)
The University of Sydney		✅ (Advance Studies)	✅
Monash University		✅	✅
Queensland University of Technology		✅	✅
The University of Newcastle		✅	✅
University of Technology Sydney		✅	✅
The University of Queensland		✅	✅ (Graduate Entry)
University of Wollongong	✅	✅	✅ (Pre-Registration)
Deakin University	✅ (Advance Nursing)	✅	✅
La Trobe University (Melbourne Campus)	✅	✅	✅
Griffith University	✅	✅	✅ (Advance Practice)
Torrens University	✅	✅	✅ (Public Health)
Australian Catholic University	✅ (Clinical Nursing)	✅	✅ (Clinical Nursing)
Southern Cross University	✅ (Health)	✅	✅
RMIT University	✅	✅	✅
TAFE	✅
Western Sydney Australia	✅	✅	✅

Entry Requirements for Nursing Studies in Australia

How to apply for Nursing Studies in Australia

Below are the basic steps to apply for studying nursing in Australia:

Nursing PR Pathway in Australia

Nursing is one of the most in-demand careers in Australia. Graduates can work as a registered nurse, clinical nurse specialist, midwife, aged care nurse… with average salaries for registered nurses are AUD $70,000 – $95,000 annually.

Since nursing is on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List, graduates often qualify for:

• Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): Permanent residency without state or employer sponsorship.

• Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): PR through state or territory nomination.

• Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491): A provisional visa leading to PR through working and living in regional Australia.

• Employer-Sponsored visas (Subclass 186 or 482): Offer from an approved healthcare employer.

Looking for a chance to study Nursing in Australia? Don’t miss this webinar!

iae GLOBAL’s Nursing Online Fair - Exclusive scholarship and application fee waiver!

FREE REGISTER

Date: Friday, 12 Sep 2025

Time: 1PM - 4PM (Sydney, Melbourne Time)

Location: Online via Zoom

What’s waiting for you at the event?

• Chat 1:1 with reps from top Nursing universities across NSW, VIC & QLD – including USYD, ACU, RMIT, La Trobe & more

• Explore Nursing – a PR-listed, high-demand career with real impact

• Get personalised advice from uni reps & migration experts

• Discover tailored study pathways based on your background & goals

• Exclusive Nursing scholarships from iae

• Application fee waiver from USYD (T&C applied) – only for attendees!