Study Nursing in Australia

Topic:

• Why study nursing in Australia?
• What are career outcomes after graduation from nursing courses?
• What nursing courses are available for international students in Australia?
• What are entry requirements for international students to study nursing courses in Australia?
• How much does it cost to study nursing courses in Australia?
• How to become a registered nurse in Australia?
• How to pass a skill assessment for a nurse in Australia?
• Migration to Australia as a nurse – what is the pathway?

To study Diploma of Nursing in Australia international students must have completed Year 12 or equivalent. Because nursing occupation relates to human health, the English score required for nursing courses is often higher than other occupations. International students must obtain IELTS 7.0 with no band score under 7.0 to be able to apply for a nursing course. However, some schools still encourage students who have not achieved 7.0 IELTS to attend. For instance, in Griffith College and QUT College, Diploma of Health Care/Diploma of Health Science only requires a 6.5 IELTS. 

For Bachelor programs, international students normally have to obtain a IELTLS 7.0 and have completed Year 12 or a Diploma of Nursing. If you already hold at least one bachelor (in any field) and achieve a IELTS 7.0 or equivalent, you have two study options, either Bachelor (Graduate Entry Program) or Master of nursing (pre-registration).  

The costs for studying nursing in Australia vary depending on the level of study and the institution you attend. For a Diploma of Nursing, the tuition fees only range from AU$24,000 to $33,000 while the fee for the 3-year Bachelor program is much higher, around $109,000. Interestingly, if you choose the package of Diploma plus Bachelor of Nursing, the amount you must pay is approximately 97,000 which is cheaper than studying Bachelor of Nursing directly.  

At the postgraduate level, the annual indicative fee for nursing students is typically between AU$35,000 and $45,000 per year. While the tuition fee for nursing courses is relatively affordable, the expected salary postgraduation is way higher than other occupations. Universities also provide multiple scholarships to support international students, which makes nursing one of the most popular courses chosen in Australia.  

To learn more which scholarship is available, please fill in the enquiry form! Our team will offer you free counselling and free application process!  

Step 1: Study Bachelor or Master of Nursing in Australia  

For international students, the easiest and fastest way to become a registered nurse in Australia is to take a nursing course here. However, bear in mind that you must have completed at least a Bachelor of Nursing to be eligible for nursing registration. If you finish a Diploma of Nursing, you can become an enrolled nurse only.  

Step 2: Register as a registered nurse in Australia  

The authority to assess your registration is Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). You must meet the following requirements to be considered as a registered nurse:  

• Passing the Australian Federal Police Check 

You can apply for a Police Check via this website. The checking fee is only $42.  

• Passing the English language skills test  

There are two options for you to satisfy the English requirement: (1) You have completed 5 years studying Tertiary and Secondary education in Australia, in which the length of tertiary study level must be at least two years, or (2) you achieve a IETLS 7.0 in every single band.  

It worth noting that if you cannot achieve the score of 7.0 in one single test, you can do a maximum of two test sittings in 6 months. Given you have achieved a minimum overall score of 7 in each sitting, AND you have achieved a minimum score of 7 in each component across the two sittings, AND you have no score below 6.5 in any section, you will meet the English requirement for nursing assessment.  

To be able to apply for a PR in Australia, you must be a registered nurse and must complete a skills assessment with positive results. The authority to assess your application is ANMAC (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council).  

Step 1: Successfully register as a Registered Nurse 

Step 2: Prepare all necessary documents  

• Your ID document, usually your passport  
• Qualifications: You need to submit (1) graduation certificates from all nursing qualifications and (2) transcripts of training. 
• Evidence of work experience 

If you are a recent graduate and your only qualification is from Australian institutes, professional references are not required. However, if you are not a recent graduate, you must submit a professional reference to show that you have got a minimum of 3 months’ paid work experience, equivalent to at least 494 hours.  

• Evidence of English proficiency: 

The English requirement of a skills assessment is similar to that of a nursing registration, which is IELTS 7.0 for every single band score. If you already are a registered nurse, you are likely to meet the English score for the skills assessment. The only thing you should pay attention is the expiry date of your English test results.  

Step 3: Submit online visa ANMAC website  

After accumulating all necessary documents, you can submit your application via ANMAC website. The skills assessment fee is $340.00. 

After completing a Bachelor or Master of Nursing in a university in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne, you will be eligible to apply for a 485 visa (Post-Higher Education Work stream) to stay 2-5 years depending on your degree and nationality in Australia. However, if you undertook and completed at least  2 years of study in a ‘Regional Area’ such as the Gold Coast and Adelaide, you can be eligible for an additional 1 or 2 years of the 485 Visa. After visa 485, you will have great potential to become a permanent resident with many visa options – Subclass 189, 190 and 191. 

These visa subclasses require you to have a minimum of 65 points under the Skilled Migration Point Test. The more points you can achieve, the higher chance you can get a visa invitation. Unlike the visa 189, you must have a state/territory nomination to be eligible for a 190 visa and you must study, live and work in regional areas to apply for a 191 visa.  

Want to migrate to Australia as a registered nurse? Please follow 3 steps below:  

• Hold a recognised Nursing qualification. 
• Obtain a positive Australian skills assessment for Registered Nurses. 
• Lodge an expression of interest (EOI) and wait for an Invitation from the Department of Home Affairs or State Government before you are eligible to apply for the Visa. 

Would you like to know more about the PR Pathway for a Registered Nurse? Please contact our Registered Migration Agent for a Free Eligibility Check!