Bachelor of Nursing in Australia 2026: How to Apply for Nursing Courses in Australia?
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Bachelor of Nursing in Australia is a popular medical course among Indian applicants. This is also a 3-year course which opens doors for a master's in Nursing or even a PhD. This is a sought-after medical course for aspiring nursing applicants. Get all details about BSN in Australia here.
Those with an inclination towards medicine and care can opt for a nursing course in Australia. After passing out of school, Indian applicants from Science streams can apply for a Bachelor of Nursing in Australia. The Bachelor of Nursing course in Australia is a 3-year-long course and is offered across 30+ public Australian universities. The best nursing university in Australia is the University of Sydney, which has been ranked by QS for Nursing subjects consistently over the past years.
BSN in Australia is popular and is equally good for those who are looking at working as registered nurses in Australia. Applicants can also look at higher degree programs also. Those who want to practice will also have to get AHPRA registration. The salaries of nurses in Australia are at par with other popular countries abroad for study. Those who are interested in bachelor's in Nursing in Australia will get all the details here. Check out this article for all details on nursing colleges in Australia for international students along with prerequisites for admission.
- Bachelor of Nursing in Australia Highlights 2026
- What is a Bachelor of Nursing in Australia?
- Can Indian Students Apply for Bachelor of Nursing in Australia?
- Why Study Bachelor's in Nursing in Australia?
- Cheapest Nursing Courses in Australia for International Students
- Nursing in Australia Requirements
- How to Apply for Nursing Courses in Australia?
- AHPRA Registration
- Top Industries for Nursing Grads in Australia
- Top Job Roles & Salaries for Nursing Grads in Australia
Bachelor of Nursing in Australia Highlights 2026
| Type of Course |
Full time |
| Duration |
3 years |
| Specialisations Available |
10+ |
| Field of BSc Nursing in Australia |
Health & Medical Sciences |
| Universities Offering Nursing Courses |
38 |
| Average Tuition Fee |
AUD 45,000 (annual) |
| Internships |
Available |
| Median Weekly Pay |
AUD 2,156 |
| Admission Requirements |
Class XII scores + ELP scores + Science background |
| Bachelor of Nursing in Australia PTE Requirement |
65-66 |
| Enrolled Nurse Salary in Australia |
AUD 67,959 |
| Registered Nurses' Salary in Australia |
AUD 89,204 |
| Popular Nursing Jobs in Australia |
General Practice, Acute Care, Paediatric Care and others. |
| % of Females Working as Nurses in Australia |
88% |
What is a Bachelor of Nursing in Australia?
A Bachelor of Nursing in Australia is a three-year undergraduate degree (AQF Level 7) that trains students to work as Registered Nurses. Programs are accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and combine coursework in anatomy, pharmacology, mental health and patient care with at least 800 hours of supervised clinical placement in hospitals and community settings. After graduating, students apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) through AHPRA. International students must meet NMBA English standards, such as IELTS Academic 7.0 in each band. Registered Nurse also appears on Australia's skilled occupation lists.
Can Indian Students Apply for Bachelor of Nursing in Australia?
In Australia, a bachelor’s in nursing is a full-time course, and yes, Indian students are eligible to apply. To be eligible for BSN in Australia they will have to have passed school with the relevant set of subjects. Other details for a bachelor’s in nursing in Australia for Indian students is as follows:
- Applicants should have 14 years of education if applying for a bachelor’s in nursing to study in Australia and to be eligible to apply for a BSN course in Australia.
- The nursing program at the bachelor’s level in Australian universities commences in both February and July intakes.
- There is a huge demand in Australia for nurses, and by 2026 the nursing staff requirement is likely to grow by 16%, thus, it is a good area for study and for jobs.
- Annual average salaries for nurses in Australia vary between AUD 68,000 and AUD 215,000.
- New South Wales (NSW) is the highest nursing staff hiring state in Australia. Out of 31.6% of jobs, around 31.3% are taken up by registered nurses in NSW.
Popular Specialisations in Nursing in Australia
Popular specialisations while pursuing a bachelor’s in nursing in Australia are as follows:
| Nursing Specialisations in Australia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Emergency | Paediatrics | Cardiology |
| Education | Mental Health | Aged Care |
| Critical Care | Oncology | Public Health |
Most of these specialisations are offered at the best nursing university in Australia which is the University of Sydney. Check out Australia Universities Rankings for nursing subject rankings and details.
Why Study Bachelor's in Nursing in Australia?
Deciding to study Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) in Australia is a strategic choice. BSN in Australia is highly ranked, projects a critical shortage and is a pathway to permanent residency (PR). Other reasons to study bachelor’s in Nursing in Australia are:
- Australia is a global hub for nursing, with universities like the University of Sydney and Monash University consistently ranked in the global top 25 for the field.
- A shortfall of over 100,000 nurses by 2026 is projected. Since nurses are well paid and have high job security, many want to pursue it.
- Registered nurses in 2026 can expect average annual salaries of AUD 82,500 to AUD 114,214. Specialised nurses or those in regional roles can earn AUD 130,000+.
- All accredited 3-year programs integrate 800 -1,000 hours of clinical placement, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in major hospitals before they graduate.
- Nursing remains a priority on Australia's Skilled Occupation List, providing a direct and reliable route to PR in Australia as well for international students.
- Graduates are eligible to register as Registered Nurses (RN) with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), a qualification recognized and respected in the UK, USA, and Canada.
Note: Bachelor of Nursing in Australia programs are approved by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council also . So these are both recognised and accredited.
Cheapest Nursing Courses in Australia for International Students
Bachelor of Nursing Australia fee will vary per university, so check details before applying. Australian universities offering cheap and affordable nursing courses at the bachelor’s level are as follows for international students. Get the Bachelor of Nursing in Australia fee for international students for reference:
| Bachelor’s in Nursing Universities in Australia |
Nursing Course Offered |
Bachelor of Nursing in Australia Fee (Annual) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Nursing Science |
AUD 31,030 |
|
| Western Sydney University |
Bachelor of Nursing |
AUD 34,000 |
| Bachelor of Nursing |
AUD 33,450 |
|
| James Cook University |
Bachelor of Nursing (Preregistration) |
AUD 34,960 |
| Bachelor of Nursing (Preregistration) |
AUD 38,300 |
|
| Edith Cowan University |
Bachelor of Science (Nursing) |
AUD 40,800 |
| Bachelor of Nursing |
AUD 41,100 |
These universities offer the cheapest nursing courses in Australia for international students, especially at the bachelor’s level.
Nursing in Australia Requirements
There are certain requirements to study Nursing in Australia for international students, and these are as follows:
- Mark sheets or transcripts of 10+2 or high school
- GPA score between 60-65
- Any one of the following English proficiency test scores:
-
- IELTS
- OET
- PTE Academic
- A valid passport is required for identification purposes as a national identity document.
How to Apply for Nursing Courses in Australia?
To study nursing in Australia at the UG level, international applicants have two choices either apply on their own or through an agent. Undergraduate applications for Australian universities are accepted through UAC or VTAC. In case the applicant feels that he/she is confident to apply on their own, they can go ahead and if not they can avail of free Shiksha’s counselling service by signing up on the link and requesting a call back.
AHPRA Registration
AHPRA registration is the mandatory legal license required to practice nursing in Australia, administered by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency for the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
To qualify, all nurses must meet five core standards: English language proficiency (IELTS/OET), criminal history checks, professional indemnity insurance, recency of practice, and a commitment to annual CPD.
Internationally qualified nurses (IQNMs) must complete a Self-check to determine their assessment stream. Depending on their background, this may involve a portfolio review or an Outcomes-Based Assessment (OBA), consisting of a multiple-choice exam and a clinical OSCE. Once approved, practitioners must renew their registration annually by 31 May to remain on the National Register.
Top Industries for Nursing Grads in Australia
There are five major industries which are popular among those who complete a course in nursing from Australian universities. These industries that are preferred by nursing grads. Industries with percentage of nurses working there are:
- Healthcare & Social Assistance: 96.7%
- Public Administration & Safety: 1.2%
- Education & Training: 0.8%
- Administration & Support Services: 0.5%
- Other industries: 0.7%
Analysis of the top industry that hires nursing graduates in Australia, based on certain parameters and they are as follows:
| Healthcare & Social Assistance Industry |
|
|---|---|
| Total Employed |
108,000 |
| Future Growth Projected |
26.3% |
| Per Week Pay |
AUD 1,150 |
| Workforce Share in total |
15.3% |
| Average Age of Nurses |
41 |
| Total Female Nurses |
76.2% |
| Services Covered Across this Industry |
|
| Annual Growth |
3.6% YoY |
| Largest Employing Industry Occupation Wise |
Registered Nurses: 97% |
Top Job Roles & Salaries for Nursing Grads in Australia
Nursing is a popular job sector in Australia with lucrative salaries. Some of the top job roles for nursing graduates in Australia as registered nurses are:
- General Practice
- Acute Care
- Paediatric Care
- Rehabilitation
- Aged Care
- Mental Health
- Residential Care
- Emergency
- Health Education
Salaries of Registered Nurses in Australia
Working as a registered nurse in Australia is a lucrative job. Applicants who choose any of the following nursing specialisations can earn these salaries:
| Registered Nursing Roles in Australia |
Average Annual Salaries |
|---|---|
| Medical Specialist Nurses |
AUD 250,000 |
| Nurse Practitioners |
AUD 129,277 |
| Aged Care Nurses |
AUD 120,765 |
| Child & Family Health Nurses |
AUD 118,800 |
| Mental Health Nurses |
AUD 102,526 |
| Developmental Disability Nurses |
AUD 97,583 |
| Paediatrics Nurses |
AUD 96,252 |
| Critical Care & Emergency Nurses |
AUD 80,963 |
| Preoperative Nurses |
AUD 80,961 |
| Surgical Nurses |
AUD 76,311 |
| Community Health Nurses |
AUD 70,177 |
| Disability & Rehabilitation Nurses |
AUD 67,421 |
Thus, we can conclude by saying that nursing as a bachelor’s level degree is a lucrative option for international students. After a BSc in Nursing from Australia, there is an option to either go for a master of Nursing or go for job opportunities as a registered nurse in Australia which is a highly paid job in Australia. Bachelor of Nursing in Australia courses are accredited, so these degrees are accepted globally widely.
Have more queries? Write to us in the comments below, and we’ll get back to you.
Commonly asked questions
Australia has attracted a lot of international students who want to study MBA. This is due to many reasons such as the country's quality of education, top-ranking universities, friendly immigration policies, better standard of living, etc. The top MBA colleges in Australia include the University of Melbourne, UNSW, the University of Sydney, Macquarie University, etc. The cost of studying an MBA in Australia for Indian students can be around INR 16 – INR 48 lakh.
Yes, most of the universities offering MBA course in Australia need a GMAT score. The minimum score required in GMAT varies as per the universities. A few of the Australian universities grant admission to MBA without GMAT such as:
- Curtin University
- Deakin University
- RMIT University
- La Trobe University
- Macquarie University
UOW is among the top choices of international students for higher education in Australia. Every year a large number of students apply to the University of Wollongong, but only a small number of students get enrolled at the UOW. International students must submit all the required documents at the time of submitting application. The University of Wollongong Australia typically takes around 2 weeks to process application of international students. University of Wollongong acceptance rate stands at 30%, which makes it highly competitive to secure admission. This figure shows that for every 100 students, only 30 students will get admission to UOW.
Australia and the USA have many things in common, some obvious and some subtle. Both are large landmasses, predominantly English speaking, with an ancient native population, and relatively recently settled by European cultures. Both are democracies and both are meritocracies. Yes, both USA and Australia can be compared in terms of higher education for their courses, ROI, post-study work options, post-study staying rules and applying for higher degree level studies as well. Degrees from both the countries are valid abroad and renowned for good job opportunities.
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Aishwarya Bhatnagar is a specialised content curator with 8+ years of experience in EdTech content, particularly in studying abroad. She is a Study Abroad Expert at Shiksha.com (InfoEdge India Ltd) si
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