Nursing is one of the most popular professions and degrees in the world. Australia is particularly famous for nursing degrees at different levels.
Thanks to the top nursing universities in Australia, international students often target Australia for Bachelor of Nursing, Master of Nursing, etc.
Registered nurses are the highest employed professionals in Australia, with an average salary of AUD 100,00 after a master's in nursing.
The best nursing universities in Australia offer all the necessary skills to help graduates pursue a successful careers as a nurse. As a result, they enjoy a high employment rate.
Check out this blog for information on top universities for nursing in Australia, including a Bachelor of Nursing, Master of Nursing and Doctor of Nursing.
The tuition fees in nursing universities in Australia range from AUD 24,000 to AUD 45,000 per year in most cases.
Top Universities for Nursing in Australia
Top universities for nursing in Australia according to Qs World Rankings by Subject 2023 are:
Global Ranking |
University |
20 |
University of Technology Sydney |
13 |
University of Sydney |
15 |
Monash University |
23 |
Griffith University |
32 |
Deakin University |
30 |
The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) |
=17 |
University of Melbourne |
36 |
University of New Castle, Australia |
=33 |
University of Queensland |
43 |
Australian Catholic University |
51-100 |
Curtin University |
51-100 |
Edith Cowan University |
51-100 |
Flinders University |
51-100 |
La Trobe University |
51-100 |
The Univerity of Adelaide |
51-100 |
University of South Australia |
51-100 |
University of Wollongong |
51-100 |
Western Sydney Australia |
|
Top Nursing Degrees in Australia
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Bachelor of Nursing (Honours)
- Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Diploma
- Master of Nursing
- Doctorate
Top Nursing Universities in Australia: Bachelor of Nursing
Studying Bachelor of Nursing in Australia at the top universities has benefits and opportunities. If the university offering a bachelor of nursing is accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council, which most of the top universities for Nursing are, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) approves the graduates to apply for registration and be a registered nurse.
Bachelor of Nursing Programs
More than 30 nursing schools in Australia offer a Bachelor of Nursing. Check out these top universities and the BN courses provided by them.
University |
Bachelor Program |
University of Technology Sydney |
Nursing (Honours) Nursing |Creative Intelligence and Innovation Midwifery
Bachelor of Midwifery (Honours)
Midwifery |Creative Intelligence and Innovation |
University of Sydney |
Nursing (Advanced Studies) |
Monash University |
Nursing and Midwifery |
Griffith University |
Paediatric Nursing Midwifery Midwifery (Honours) Nursing (Honours) |
Deakin University |
Nursing Midwifery Clinical Leadership Nursing (Honours) |
The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) |
Nursing/ Public Health Nursing/ Paramedic Science Nursing/ Behavioural Science |
University of Melbourne |
Midwifery Nursing |
University of New Castle, Australia |
Nursing Nursing (Honours) |
Eligibility for Bachelor of Nursing
Document Checklist
- The academic document includes transcripts, character certificates and provisional certificates of +2 and class 10.
- Valid English Language Scores
- Statement of Purpose
- Letter of Recommendation, if asked by the university
- Identification documents like passport
- Proof of funds (Financial documents from sponsor letter to tuition fee payment receipt to property papers )
Academic Requirements
Students must complete high school with a minimum of 55% and with Biology, maths and physics as the major papers. Or students who have completed Proficiency Certificate Level /PCL Nursing are also eligible for applying to a bachelor of nursing.
English test scores
If you are an international student from an English-non-speaking country, English test scores are mandatory requirements for study in Australia.
The English test cut-off score is high for Australia's bachelor of nursing program. For almost every bachelor of nursing program in Australia, applicants need to bring minimum scores of:
- IELTS: 7.0, with a minimum of 7.0 in each band
- TOEFL: 92, with a minimum subscore of 23
- PTE: 68, with a minimum subscore of 68
Top Nursing Universities in Australia: Bachelor of Nursing Fees
University |
Bachelor of Nursing fees (AUD) |
University of Technology Sydney |
31,176 |
University of Sydney |
40,500 |
Monash University |
35,900 |
Griffith University |
33,500 |
Deakin University |
35,000 |
University of Melbourne |
34,000 |
University of New Castle, Australia |
36,660 |
Swinburne University of Technology |
34,200 |
USQ |
32,000 |
Graduate certificates
Australian Universities offer graduate certificates and diplomas in these nursing specialities.
- Acute Care Nursing
- Critical Care Nursing
- Emergency Nursing
- Paediatric Nursing
- Professional Nursing
- Clinical Leadership
- Primary Maternity Care
- Infection Prevention and Control
- Clinical Nursing
Top Nursing Universities in Australia: Master of Nursing Program
Master of Nursing is a 1-2 year course postgraduate course that prepares graduates for careers in managerial nursing positions in hospitals, such as Nurse head, nurse supervisor, nurse educator, etc.
There are many specializations available for master of nursing in Australia focusing on all the critical areas of nursing, such as:
- Mental health care
- Aged Care Nursing
- Advanced Practice
- Psychiatric Nursing
- Primary Health Care Nursing
Master of Nursing Programs
University |
Master Program Specialization |
University of Technology Sydney |
Master of Nursing (Research) |
University of Sydney |
Advanced nursing practice Cancer and haematology nursing Emergency Nursing Intensive care nursing Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) |
Monash University |
Advanced Nursing Nursing Practice Advanced Clinical Nursing Mental Health Science |
Griffith University |
Advanced Nursing Practice Infection Prevention and Control Primary Maternity Care |
Deakin University |
Advanced Nursing |
The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) |
Nurse Practioner Advanced Nursing Practice |
University of Melbourne |
Nursing Science Advanced Nursing Advanced Nursing Practice |
University of New Castle, Australia |
Mental Health Nursing |
University of Southern Queensland |
Clinical Education Gerontology Mental Health General Leadership and Management in Health Master of Nursing (Rural and Remote) |
|
Eligibility for Master of Nursing
Document Checklist
- Academic documents of all the schools and colleges attended before (Bachelor, High school and class 10). The academic documents need to meet the requirements listed below. The academic document includes transcripts, character certificates and provisional certificates.
- English Langauge Scores- Should be valid
- Statement of Purpose
- Experience letter for gap
- Letter of Recommendation, if asked by the university
- Identification documents like passport
- Proof of funds (Financial documents from sponsor letter to tuition fee payment receipt to property papers )
Academic Requirements
Generally, the minimum requirement to study Master of Nursing in Australia is 50%. However, the academic requirement to study in top universities is applicants need to pass a bachelor's degree in nursing with a minimum of 60%.
English test scores
International students from English, not speaking countries need to take the English proficiency test and bring minimum scores of:
- IELTS: 7.0, with a minimum of 7.0 in each band
- TOEFL: 92, with a minimum subscore of 23
- PTE: 68, with a minimum subscore of 68
Top Nursing Universities in Australia: Master of Nursing fees
University |
Master of Nursing Fees (AUD) |
University of Technology Sydney |
38,340 |
University of Sydney |
41,500 |
Monash University |
36,800 |
Griffith University |
31,000 |
Deakin University |
36,600 |
University of Melbourne |
33,376 |
University of New Castle, Australia |
38,790 |
University of Adelaide |
43,500 |
University of Canberra |
37,000 |
Top Nursing Universities in Australia: PhD in Nursing Program
PhD in Nursing program
University |
Program |
RMIT University |
Doctor of Nursing |
University of Adelaide |
Doctor of Nursing |
University of Tasmania |
Doctor of Philosophy (Nursing) |
La Trobe Univesity |
Doctor of Nursing (Professional Doctorate) |
University of New Castle |
Doctor of Philosophy in Midwifery Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing |
Monash University |
Doctorate/ PhD in Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences |
Deakin University |
Doctor of Philosophy (Nursing) |
Eligibility for PhD in Nursing in Australia
Document Checklist
- Academic documents such as transcripts, character certificates and provisional certificates of the master, bachelor, and intermediate levels
- English Langauge Scores- Should be valid
- Statement of Purpose
- Experience letter for gap
- Letter of Recommendations
- Identification documents like passport
- Proof of funds (Financial documents from sponsor letter to tuition fee payment receipt to property papers )
Academic Requirements
- Applicants need a bachelor's degree with upper second class in nursing.
- Applicants need to complete a thesis-based master's degree or master's degree (minimum 60%) with a research component or equivalent and also complete a thesis.
- Evidence of appropriate academic qualifications and experience that satisfies the Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research Training and Development or nominee.
- For some universities, applicants must be eligible for registration as a registered nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency or approved international equivalent.
- Candidates need to find and finalize the supervisor for some doctors in the nursing program.
English test scores
International students from English, not speaking countries need to take the English proficiency test and bring minimum scores of:
- IELTS: IELTS Academic of 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each band
- TOEFL: 79, with a minimum subscore of 19 in each band
- PTE: 58, with a minimum subscore of 58
Top Nursing Universities in Australia: Doctor of Nursing fees
University |
Doctor of Nursing Fees (AUD) |
RMIT University |
31,680 |
University of Adelaide |
43,500 |
University of Tasmania |
37,296 |
La Trobe University |
41,200 |
University of New Castle |
35,000 |
Top Universities for Nursing in Australia: Scholarships Available
We know that the feeds for nursing in Australia don’t fall in the range of affordable. However, the universities and the Australian government offer scholarships listed below to help international students fully or partially with tuition fees.
University |
Scholarship |
RMIT University |
Australia Awards Scholarships |
RMIT Funded Scholarships |
|
External Scholarships |
|
University of Melbourne |
Richard Lovell Travelling Scholarship |
Hannah Barry Memorial Award |
|
Graduate Research Scholarship: Up to 100% tuition fee waiver |
|
Gowrie Scholarship |
|
Melbourne Welcome Grant |
|
Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship |
|
University of Technology, Sydney |
UTS Grant for Masters by Coursework Students: AUD 3,000 towards your first session tuition fees |
UTS Postgraduate Academic Excellence International Scholarship: 25 to 35% waiver on tuition fees |
|
Vice-Chancellor’s International Postgraduate Coursework Scholarship: Full tuition scholarship for the standard course duration. |
|
UTS Onshore Postgraduate International Scholarship: 25% tuition fee scholarship for the standard course duration. |
|
University of Sydney |
The Johnson Nursing Scholarship: AUD 5000 |
Australia Awards Scholarships |
|
The Women’s College Scholarships |
|
Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarships Scheme: Up to AUD 40,000 |
Does Nursing Lead Pathways to PR in Australia?
Nursing is one of the best gateways to achieving Permanent Residence in Australia. The chances of getting PR are higher if you complete a bachelor of nursing in Australia than in other graduate programs.
This is because the bachelor of nursing provides clinical and practical nursing skills and brings you a step closer to becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) in Australia. Going into detail, most bachelor's of nursing programs are accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council.
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) approves the graduates from such accredited BN programs to apply for registration and be registered nurses.
Enrolled Nurse |
Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) |
Mothercraft Nurse |
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) ROL |
Nurse Educator |
Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) |
Nurse Manager |
Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) |
Nurse Practitioner |
Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) |
Nurse Researcher |
Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) |
Registered Nurse (Aged Care) |
Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) |
Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) |
Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) |
Registered Nurse (Community Health) |
Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) |
Registered Nurse (Critical care and Emergency) |
Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) |
Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability) |
Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) |
Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation) |
Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) |
Top Nursing University in Australia: Scope and Career Opportunities
Both Bachelor of Nursing and Master of Nursing in Australia creates opportunities for lucrative nursing careers for international students. The nursing profession plays a critical role in maintaining Australia's health system. Nurses will likely find career opportunities in Private and government hospitals, aged care, disability care, military, clinics etc.
Career Options |
Average Annual Salaries (in AUD) |
Nurse Midwife |
88,400 |
Acute Care Nurse |
76,800 |
Critical Care Nurse |
78,800 |
Head Nurse |
78,300 |
Staff Nurse |
75,500 |
Psychiatric Nurse |
76,300 |
Nursing Services Instructor |
81,900 |
Nursing Supervisor |
87,600 |
Occupational Therapist |
117,000 |
|