Study Nursing in Australia as an International Students
Explore Diploma, Bachelors and Masters nursing programs, tuition fees, clinical placements, career outcomes and pathways to becoming a nurse in Australia.
Written by Lesley Rogan
Reviewed by Akram Mardini (MARN 2519017)
Last updated: May 2026
Why Study Nursing in Australia?
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Global recognition
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High demand for nurses
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Clinical placements
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PR opportunities
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Strong graduate salaries
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Safe and multicultural environment
Talk to us to learn everything international students need to know about studying nursing in Australia, including nursing degrees, diploma pathways, English requirements, tuition costs, student visas, and graduate career opportunities.
Nursing Course Overview
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Course Types: Diploma, Bachelor, Master
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Duration: 18 months – 4 years
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Average Fees: AUD $18,000–$45,000 per year
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IELTS Requirement: Usually 7.0 overall
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Career Outcome: Enrolled Nurse (EN), Registered Nurse (RN), or Nurse Practitioner (NP)
International students who graduate from an approved nursing course in Australia may be eligible to become registered nurses by meeting the registration requirements set by Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
There are three main levels of nursing study available in Australia:
Enrolled Nurse (EN)
An Enrolled Nurse (EN) completes a Diploma of Nursing, which usually takes around 1.5 years to study at a vocational college or training institution in Australia. International students can expect tuition fees to range between AUD $30,000–$40,000 depending on the college.
in 2026, Enrolled Nurses in Australia earn an average salary of $70,000 - $82,000 per year.
ENs play an important role in patient care and support within the healthcare system.
Their duties can include monitoring patients, administering medication, infection control, patient assessments, and providing general care and support.
Enrolled Nurses commonly work in hospitals, private clinics, aged care facilities, mental health centres, and doctors’ surgeries, where they may assist doctors during appointments and treatments.
Registered Nurse (RN)
A Registered Nurse (RN) completes a Bachelor of Nursing, which usually takes 3 years to study at an Australian university. For international students, nursing course fees generally range from AUD $90,000–$110,000 for the full degree, depending on the university.
After graduating, Bachelor of Nursing students may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) Post-Higher Education Work Stream, which can allow graduates to stay and work in Australia for up to 2 years.
in 2026, a Registered Nurse in Australia earns an average salary of $82,500 - $103,000 per year.
RNs play a major role in healthcare teams and are responsible for planning and managing patient care, assessing patients, and supporting people with complex or long-term health conditions.
Registered Nurses work across hospitals, clinics, aged care, community health, and specialist medical services.
Some RNs also move into medical research, healthcare management, education, or health policy development.
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are at the highest level of nursing in Australia. Most NPs complete a postgraduate qualification such as a Graduate Diploma or Master of Nursing, with a typical Master’s degree taking around 2 years to complete.
For international students, tuition fees for a Master of Nursing in Australia are usually around AUD $75,000 for the full course.
Graduates of a Master’s degree may also be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) Post-Higher Education Work Stream, allowing them to stay and work in Australia after graduation.
in 2026, Nurse Practitioners in Australia earn an average salary of between $145,000 - $160,000 per year. For highly experienced NPs, especially those willing to live in remote areas, the salary can be up to $175,000 per year.
NPs work with a high level of independence and responsibility within the healthcare system.
Their duties can include diagnosing patients, assessing test results, prescribing medication, creating treatment plans, and referring patients to medical specialists when needed.
