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If you are interested in healthcare and want a career where you can make a direct difference in people’s lives, nursing may be worth exploring.
Studying nursing in Australia gives International Students access to programmes that combine academic learning with practical clinical experience. Depending on your previous qualifications, you may be able to study an undergraduate nursing degree or pursue postgraduate nursing study.
For students hoping to become a registered nurse in Australia, however, choosing the right course is particularly important. Nursing is a regulated profession, and graduates need to meet registration requirements set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) before practicing as a registered nurse.
Here is what International Students should know before choosing a nursing course in Australia.
Why Study Nursing in Australia?
Australian nursing programmes can prepare students for work across different healthcare settings while combining theoretical knowledge with clinical learning.
Students can develop knowledge and skills in areas such as:
Professional and ethical nursing practice is also an important part of nursing education. One of the most important parts is clinical placement. Approved programmes incorporate practical experience so students can apply what they learn in real healthcare environments.
For International Students, it is important to understand that nursing involves both academic study and hands-on clinical training.
What Nursing Courses Can International Students Study?
The appropriate nursing course depends on your existing education and career goals.
Bachelor of Nursing
A Bachelor of Nursing is the common undergraduate pathway for students who want to become registered nurses.
These programmes typically combine university-based study with clinical placements and are designed to prepare graduates for professional nursing practice.
A Bachelor of Nursing commonly takes around three years of full-time study, although course duration varies between universities.
For example, Monash University lists its Bachelor of Nursing as a three-year full-time degree incorporating clinical learning across different healthcare settings.
Master of Nursing
Postgraduate nursing courses require more careful comparison because a programme called a Master of Nursing does not always have the same purpose.
Some master’s programmes are designed for students who already hold nursing qualifications and want to develop advanced or specialised knowledge. Others are graduate-entry nursing programmes designed for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in another discipline and want to qualify as a nurse.
For example, the University of Melbourne’s Master of Nursing Science is a two-year graduate-entry programme designed for students with an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than nursing.
Always check whether a master’s programme leads towards initial registration as a nurse or is intended for nurses who are already qualified.
Which Universities Offer Nursing Courses in Australia?
Many Australian universities offer nursing programmes to International Students. Some institutions worth exploring include:
| University | Example Nursing Study Option |
|---|---|
| Monash University | Bachelor of Nursing |
| University of Melbourne | Master of Nursing Science |
| Deakin University | Bachelor of Nursing |
| Griffith University | Bachelor of Nursing |
| University of Technology Sydney | Bachelor of Nursing |
| Flinders University | Bachelor of Nursing |
| University of Queensland | Bachelor of Nursing |
| Curtin University | Bachelor of Science (Nursing) |
This is not an exhaustive list, and course availability for International Students can vary by intake.
Students should also check whether their chosen programme is an NMBA-approved program of study if their goal is registration as a nurse in Australia. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) maintains information about approved programmes.
How Long Does It Take to Study Nursing in Australia?
A Bachelor of Nursing commonly takes around three years full time.
Graduate-entry master’s programmes that lead towards initial nursing registration can be shorter because applicants have already completed an undergraduate degree. The University of Melbourne’s Master of Nursing Science, for example, takes two years full time.
Other postgraduate nursing programmes may take one to two years depending on their purpose and structure.
Always check whether the course is an entry-to-practice programme or an advanced programme for existing nurses before comparing duration.
What Are the Entry Requirements for Nursing in Australia?
Entry requirements vary considerably between universities.
International undergraduate applicants generally need to meet:
- Academic entry requirements
- English language requirements
- Any course prerequisites
- Additional requirements associated with clinical placements
Universities may recognize qualifications such as the International Baccalaureate, GCE A-Levels and recognized national secondary school qualifications.
Graduate-entry nursing programmes normally require applicants to have already completed a recognized bachelor’s degree.
Nursing courses may also require students to complete additional checks before clinical placement, such as immunization requirements, police checks, working-with-children checks or other health and safety requirements.
The exact requirements depend on the university, placement provider and jurisdiction.
What Are the English Requirements for Nursing?
English language requirements deserve particular attention when applying for nursing.
Students need to satisfy their university’s English requirements for admission, but nursing graduates seeking registration in Australia must also satisfy the NMBA English language skills registration standard.
The NMBA introduced a revised English language skills registration standard effective 18 March 2025, with pathways through English-language education or approved English language tests.
Because university admission and professional registration are separate processes, students should not assume that meeting a university’s English requirement automatically guarantees that every future registration requirement has been satisfied.
Check both before choosing your course.
Do Nursing Students Have Clinical Placements?
Yes. Clinical placement is an essential component of programmes leading to professional nursing practice.
Students may gain experience in settings such as:
Placements provide supervised opportunities to develop clinical skills and experience working with patients and healthcare professionals.
Students should also be prepared for placements that may involve travel, early starts, shift schedules or locations away from their usual campus.
How Much Does It Cost to Study Nursing in Australia?
International tuition fees vary between universities and programmes.
Rather than relying on a single national average, students should check the current international tuition fee published for their specific nursing course.
In addition to tuition fees, nursing students should budget for:
- Accommodation
- Food and groceries
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
- Student Visa costs
- Public transport
- Uniforms
- Nursing equipment
- Textbooks and study materials
- Placement-related travel
- Health checks and vaccinations where required
- Personal expenses
Clinical placements can create additional costs, particularly if students need to travel to different healthcare facilities.
Can You Become a Registered Nurse After Studying Nursing in Australia?
Completing a nursing degree does not, by itself, mean you can immediately begin practicing as a registered nurse.
To practice as a registered nurse in Australia, graduates need to apply for registration through Ahpra and meet the requirements established by the NMBA.
Requirements include completing an approved programme of study and meeting applicable registration standards.
These are related but separate stages.
What Careers Can Nursing Lead To?
Registered nurses can work across many areas of healthcare.
Depending on qualifications, registration, experience and additional training, nursing career areas may include:
Some specialized or advanced nursing positions require additional qualifications and professional experience.
How Do You Choose the Right Nursing Course?
Start by considering your current qualifications and career goal.
If you are completing secondary school and want to become a registered nurse, an approved Bachelor of Nursing may be the most relevant pathway.
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in another discipline, you may be able to explore a graduate-entry nursing master’s.
If you are already a qualified nurse, postgraduate programmes in advanced or specialised nursing may be more appropriate.
Most importantly, check the course’s professional recognition, entry requirements, clinical placements, tuition fees and registration pathway before applying.
FAQ: Studying Nursing in Australia
Start Your Nursing Journey in Australia with AUG
Studying nursing in Australia can provide a pathway into a healthcare career, but choosing the right programme requires careful planning.
Before applying, compare the course accreditation, entry requirements, English requirements, clinical placements, tuition fees and professional registration pathway. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, it is also worth checking whether you qualify for a graduate-entry nursing programme rather than starting another undergraduate degree.
AUG Student Services can help International Students compare nursing courses in Australia, check entry requirements, explore suitable universities and scholarships, prepare applications and understand the Australian Student Visa process.
For students hoping to become registered nurses, choosing an NMBA-approved programme and understanding the professional registration requirements from the beginning can help you plan your study pathway with greater clarity.
