Nursing Study in Australia: Rankings and Registered Nurse Migration Pathway

Australia’s nursing education and migration pathway system is among the most structured in the English-speaking world. As of 2024, Australia’s registered nurse (RN) workforce numbers approximately 340,000, with the federal government projecting a shortfall of over 100,000 nurses by 2030 (Department of Health and Aged Care, 2023, National Nursing Workforce Strategy). This gap drives both domestic training expansion and a permanent migration program that, in 2023-24, allocated 17,475 places to registered nurses under the Skilled Occupation List — the largest single occupation quota of any profession (Department of Home Affairs, 2024, Occupation Ceilings Report). For international students, the pathway from a Bachelor of Nursing (typically 3 years) or a Master of Nursing (2 years) to permanent residency is one of the most clearly signposted in Australia’s migration system, provided graduates meet the English language and registration requirements set by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). This article examines the QS and THE rankings of Australian nursing schools, the registration and visa steps specific to RNs, and the state-by-state variations that can affect study location decisions.

QS and THE Rankings of Australian Nursing Schools

Australia hosts 18 universities that offer nursing programs accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC). In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 (Nursing), the University of Sydney ranked 13th globally, the University of Melbourne 15th, Monash University 18th, and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) 24th. The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024 by Subject (Clinical and Health) placed the University of Melbourne 14th, the University of Sydney 18th, and Monash University 22nd. These four institutions consistently hold the top Australian positions across both ranking systems.

University of Sydney

The University of Sydney’s Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery offers a 3-year Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) and a 2-year Master of Nursing (for graduates of any discipline). The school operates clinical simulation facilities and maintains partnerships with 20+ major public hospitals in New South Wales. International tuition for the Bachelor of Nursing in 2024 is approximately A$52,000 per annum, while the Master of Nursing costs around A$47,000 per annum.

University of Melbourne

The University of Melbourne offers nursing only at the graduate level through its 2-year Master of Nursing Science, which requires a prior bachelor’s degree in any field. The program is delivered at the Parkville campus, adjacent to the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the Peter Doherty Institute. International fees for the Master of Nursing Science in 2024 are approximately A$44,000 per annum. Melbourne’s program is notable for its 800+ clinical placement hours integrated over the two years.

Monash University

Monash University’s nursing programs are offered at its Clayton and Peninsula campuses. The Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) is a 3-year degree, and the Master of Nursing Practice is a 2-year graduate-entry option. Monash’s School of Nursing and Midwifery is the largest in Victoria, with over 3,000 students enrolled annually. International tuition for 2024 is approximately A$43,000 per annum for the bachelor’s program and A$46,000 per annum for the master’s program.

University of Technology Sydney

UTS’s Bachelor of Nursing is a 3-year program with a strong clinical simulation component, including a fully equipped mock hospital ward on campus. UTS ranks highly for graduate employability, with 94% of nursing graduates employed within four months of course completion (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2023). International tuition for 2024 is approximately A$42,000 per annum.

Registered Nurse Migration Pathway: Step-by-Step

The migration pathway for registered nurses operates through a structured sequence of registration, skills assessment, and visa application. Unlike some other professions, nursing has a single national registration body — AHPRA — which means graduates do not face state-by-state licensing variations.

Step 1: Complete an ANMAC-Accredited Program

International students must complete a nursing program accredited by ANMAC. As of 2024, ANMAC lists 112 accredited programs across Australian universities. The minimum duration is 3 years for a bachelor’s degree or 2 years for a master’s degree. Programs must include a minimum of 800 hours of supervised clinical placement.

Step 2: English Language Requirement

To register with AHPRA, international applicants must achieve an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic score of 7.0 in each band (listening, reading, writing, speaking) — or an equivalent score on the Occupational English Test (OET), Pearson Test of English (PTE), or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). AHPRA accepts results from a single test sitting; combination of scores from multiple tests is not permitted. This requirement applies to all applicants whose initial nursing qualification was not in English.

Step 3: Skills Assessment by ANMAC

After completing an Australian nursing degree, graduates apply for a skills assessment through ANMAC. The assessment confirms that the qualification meets the Australian nursing competency standards. As of 2024, the ANMAC skills assessment fee is A$1,045, and processing time is typically 8–12 weeks. A positive skills assessment is a prerequisite for most skilled migration visa subclasses.

Step 4: Visa Application

Registered nurses are eligible for several visa pathways. The most common are:

• Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa): Points-based, no employer sponsorship required. In the 2023-24 program year, the Department of Home Affairs invited nurses at the minimum points threshold of 65 for most rounds.
• Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa): State-nominated, adds 5 points to the applicant’s score. Each state and territory publishes its own occupation list and nomination criteria.
• Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Visa): Regional visa with a pathway to permanent residence after 3 years, adds 15 points.

Step 5: Registration with AHPRA

Graduates must apply for general registration as a registered nurse with AHPRA. The annual registration fee for 2024 is A$193. AHPRA requires applicants to provide proof of identity, English proficiency, criminal history checks, and a declaration of fitness to practice. Registration is renewed annually.

State-by-State Variations in Study and Migration

While nursing registration is national, state and territory governments influence the migration pathway through their nomination lists and local workforce priorities.

New South Wales

New South Wales employs the largest nursing workforce in Australia, with approximately 80,000 registered nurses as of 2023 (NSW Ministry of Health, 2023, NSW Health Workforce Plan). The state’s 190 nomination list includes registered nurses across multiple specialities, including aged care, critical care, and mental health nursing. Sydney universities offer the highest concentration of nursing programs, but living costs in Sydney are approximately 25% higher than the national average.

Victoria

Victoria’s skilled migration program prioritises nurses specialising in aged care, emergency nursing, and perioperative nursing. The state’s 2024-25 nomination list includes registered nurses (nec) and enrolled nurses. Melbourne’s cost of living is approximately 15% lower than Sydney’s, making it a popular choice for international students on a budget.

Queensland

Queensland Health projects a need for an additional 9,000 nurses by 2026 (Queensland Health, 2023, Health Workforce Strategy 2022-2032). The state’s 190 nomination list includes registered nurses across all specialities, with particular demand in regional areas such as Cairns, Townsville, and Rockhampton. Universities in Brisbane and the Gold Coast offer nursing programs with lower tuition fees than Sydney or Melbourne — typically A$35,000–A$40,000 per annum.

Western Australia

Western Australia’s nursing workforce faces unique challenges due to its geographic isolation. The state government offers a dedicated Graduate Nurse Program for international students who complete a nursing degree at a Western Australian university, providing a guaranteed 12-month employment contract in a public hospital. Tuition fees at the University of Western Australia and Curtin University range from A$38,000 to A$45,000 per annum.

South Australia and Tasmania

Both states offer regional migration advantages. South Australia’s 190 nomination list includes registered nurses with a priority processing pathway, and the state offers a 5-point concession for graduates who complete their nursing degree in South Australia. Tasmania’s 190 nomination list similarly prioritises nurses, and the state’s cost of living is approximately 20% below the national average.

Clinical Placement Requirements and Practical Training

Clinical placement is a mandatory component of all ANMAC-accredited nursing programs. The minimum requirement is 800 hours of supervised clinical experience, though many programs exceed this — the University of Melbourne’s Master of Nursing Science requires 880 hours, while the University of Sydney’s Bachelor of Nursing requires 840 hours.

For cross-border tuition payments and living expenses during placement, some international students use digital financial services such as Airwallex AU global account to manage currency transfers and hold multiple currencies without traditional bank fees.

Placement Settings

Placements occur across public hospitals, private hospitals, aged care facilities, and community health centres. Students typically rotate through medical-surgical wards, mental health units, and aged care settings. Rural and remote placement opportunities are available through programs such as the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) program, which provides financial support of up to A$400 per week for students who undertake placements in regional areas.

Placement Scheduling

Universities coordinate placement schedules, but students should expect placements during semester breaks and outside standard teaching periods. Most programs require students to be available for morning, afternoon, and night shifts (typically 7:00 AM–3:30 PM, 1:30 PM–10:00 PM, and 10:00 PM–7:30 AM). Placement locations may require travel of up to 90 minutes from the university campus.

Graduate Employment and Salary Outcomes

Employment outcomes for Australian nursing graduates remain strong. According to the Graduate Outcomes Survey (GOS) 2023, the full-time employment rate for nursing graduates four months after course completion was 89.3%, compared to the national average of 72.5% for all bachelor’s degree graduates. The median full-time salary for nursing graduates in their first year of practice was A$75,000 in 2023 (Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching, 2023, Graduate Outcomes Survey).

Salary Progression

Registered nurses in Australia are covered by the Nurses Award 2020, which sets minimum pay rates. As of July 2024, a first-year registered nurse earns approximately A$38.00 per hour (level 1, year 1), rising to A$46.00 per hour at level 1, year 8. Nurses working in public hospitals under enterprise agreements often earn 10–15% above award rates. Penalty rates for weekend and night shifts add 25–50% to base pay.

Speciality Premiums

Specialist nurses command higher salaries. For example, nurse practitioners earn a median salary of A$130,000 per annum, while clinical nurse specialists earn approximately A$105,000 per annum (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, 2023, Annual Registration Data). Specialities in highest demand include critical care, emergency nursing, and perioperative nursing.

FAQ

Q1: How long does it take to become a registered nurse in Australia as an international student?

A standard Bachelor of Nursing takes 3 years of full-time study. A Master of Nursing (graduate-entry) takes 2 years for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another discipline. After graduation, students must complete the AHPRA registration process, which typically takes 4–6 weeks, and apply for a skills assessment with ANMAC, which takes 8–12 weeks. The total time from program commencement to full registration is therefore approximately 3–3.5 years for a bachelor’s program or 2–2.5 years for a master’s program.

Q2: What is the minimum IELTS score required for nursing registration in Australia?

AHPRA requires an IELTS Academic score of 7.0 in each of the four bands (listening, reading, writing, speaking). Equivalent scores are accepted on the OET (minimum B in each band), PTE Academic (minimum 65 in each band), and TOEFL iBT (minimum 24 in listening, 24 in reading, 27 in writing, 23 in speaking). Results must be from a single test sitting — AHPRA does not accept combined scores from multiple tests. This requirement applies to all applicants whose initial nursing qualification was not taught and assessed in English.

Q3: Which Australian state offers the fastest pathway to permanent residency for nurses?

No single state offers a universally faster pathway, but Western Australia and South Australia have specific programs that can accelerate the process. Western Australia’s Graduate Nurse Program guarantees a 12-month employment contract in a public hospital for graduates of Western Australian universities, which can strengthen a Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190) application. South Australia offers a 5-point concession for graduates who complete their nursing degree in that state, reducing the points threshold required for state nomination. Both states process 190 nominations within 6–8 weeks for priority occupations like nursing.

References

• Department of Health and Aged Care. (2023). National Nursing Workforce Strategy 2023-2030.
• Department of Home Affairs. (2024). Occupation Ceilings Report 2023-24.
• QS Quacquarelli Symonds. (2024). QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Nursing.
• Times Higher Education. (2024). THE World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Clinical and Health.
• Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. (2024). Registration Standards for Registered Nurses.