Registered Nurse Career Information

There are approximately 175,600 registered nurses working in Australia with around 44,953 registered nurses located in Victoria1.

Victoria is currently offering visa sponsorship for registered nurses.

Earning potential

According to the Australian Government’s Job Search website, average gross weekly wages for a registered nurse are approximately AUD$10242.

Wages will vary according to your level of skill and qualification. For more information about your wage earning potential, visit the jobseeker sites listed below under Finding a job.

Skills Australia has also released a report with further information on the current labour market for registered nurses.

Licensing and registration

To work as a registered nurse in Australia, you must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. For further information on the process, please contact the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

G.P.O. Box 9958
Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone: 61 3 8708 9001
Email: online enquiry form
Website: www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/

TIP: Think about applying for licensing and registration before you arrive in Australia, once you have your visa, as the process can take some time.

Employers

Registered nurses are employed in private and public hospitals, nursing homes, community health centres and other health care facilities. They may work in remote and rural areas.

Registered nurses are employed across several industries including: Health Care and Social Assistance; Public Administration and Safety; Administrative and Support Services; and Education and Training3.

Industry contacts

Professional bodies and industry associations are a good source of information about registered nurses in Victoria.

Tip

We recommend that you do not apply for jobs until your visa to live and work in Australia has been issued. The visa application process can take some time, and employers are generally unlikely to choose you for a job if you are not sure when you will arrive in Australia and do not have a visa allowing you to work.

Finding a job

Specialist job seeker sites:

To search for Victorian recruiters who specialise in registered nurses, visit the Recruitment and Consulting Services Association's Member Index.

For more general information on Victoria’s job market, including where and how to find jobs, and workplace culture, visit our Working and Employment section.

Migrating to Victoria

Detailed information about how to migrate to Australia, including information about visa sponsorship from the Victorian Government, is available in the Visas and Immigrating section. You can also find detailed information about visa pathways including employer sponsorship on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s website.

Skill assessment information

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has nominated the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) as the assessing authority for the occupation of registered nurse.

For further information on the ANMAC migration skills assessment requirements including an application form and competency standards, please contact:

Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)

GPO Box 400
Canberra City ACT 2601
Tel: + 61 2 6257 7960
Fax: + 61 2 6257 7955
Email: international@anmac.org.au
Website: www.anmac.org.au


1 Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (2009) Job Outlook – Occupation pages – Employment levels. Retrieved November 06 2009 from joboutlook.gov.au

2 Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relationship (2009) Job Outlook - Occupation pages. Retrieved November 06 2009 from joboutlook.gov.au

3 Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relationship (2009) Job Outlook - Occupation pages - Prospects for employment. Retrieved November 06 2009 from joboutlook.gov.au

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