Bachelor of Nursing in Australia 2026: Top Universities, Fees, Requirements

Bachelor of Nursing in Australia is a popular medical course among Indian applicants. This is also a 3-year course which opens doors for masters in Nursing or even PhD. This is a sought-after medical course for aspiring nursing applicants. Get all details about BSN in Australia here.

For 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 three-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 

What is Nursing Course in Australia? 

In Australia, a bachelor’s in nursing is a full-time course and Indian students applying for this course have to have passed school with the relevant set of subjects. Other details for a bachelor’s in nursing in Australia are 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 to 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:

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?

Studying a Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) in Australia is a strategic choice due to the country's high global rankings in nursing education, a critical domestic workforce shortage, and a streamlined pathway to permanent residency (PR). Why Indian students should consider studying bachelor’s in Nursing in Australia is because:

• 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.
• The country faces a projected shortfall of over 100,000 nurses by 2026, ensuring exceptionally high job security and immediate employment opportunities for new graduates.
• Registered nurses in 2026 can expect average annual salaries of AUD 82,500 to AUD 114,214, with specialised or regional roles reaching over 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.

Cheapest Nursing Courses in Australia for International Students 

Australian universities offering cheap and affordable nursing courses at the bachelor’s level are as follows for international students. Also, the applicants can find nursing in Australia fees for reference:  

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: 

• High school mark sheets or transcripts 
• GPA of 60-65 
• ELP test scores of either: 

• • IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 7.0 
  • OET: minimum score of B in each of the four bands 
  • TOEFL iBT: minimum overall score of 94  
  • PTE Academic: minimum score of 65  

• 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.   

Check out more about Self Apply vs. Outside Agents for Studying Abroad 

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 are as follows along with the percentage of nurses working in these industries: 

• 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: 

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 after being a registered nurse are as follows:  

• General Practice 
• Acute Care 
• Paediatric Care 
• Rehabilitation 
• Aged Care 
• Mental Health 
• Residential Care 
• Emergency 
• Health Education 

Salaries of Registered Nurses in Australia 

Since working as a registered nurse in Australia is a lucrative job, applicants who choose any of the below-given specializations can earn the corresponding salaries: 

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 by being a registered nurse in Australia which is a highly paid job in Australia. 

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