Apply now for Australia Nursing Jobs Paying $85,000+ With Visa Sponsorship. Australia is a popular destination for qualified nurses looking for better employment opportunities, competitive salaries and international career development. The country’s healthcare industry employs nurses across public hospitals, private hospitals, aged-care facilities and community health services.
Australian healthcare employers sometimes recruit experienced nurses from overseas when they cannot find suitable local professionals. Some employers also offer visa sponsorship to qualified international applicants.
For foreign nurses, this creates an opportunity to work in Australia while exploring possible pathways to permanent residency.
Registered nurses in Australia can earn more than AUD $85,000 annually, depending on their experience, location, qualifications and area of specialisation. Some positions also provide additional benefits, including relocation assistance, salary packaging and professional development.
However, getting a nursing job with visa sponsorship requires more than having a nursing certificate. International applicants must meet Australian nursing registration requirements and qualify for an appropriate work visa.
This guide explains the nursing jobs available, salary expectations, visa sponsorship options, registration requirements and how foreign nurses can apply for Australian employment in 2027.
Australia has a large healthcare system that provides services to people across major cities, regional communities and remote locations.
Hospitals and healthcare organisations need qualified nurses to support patients, provide medical care and manage different health conditions.
Some healthcare employers recruit internationally, particularly for experienced nurses in areas where recruitment is difficult.
The New South Wales Government, for example, says it recruits experienced nurses and midwives from overseas in some areas, particularly rural and remote locations and mental health services.
Foreign nurses may benefit from:
Competitive nursing salaries.
Employment opportunities in public and private hospitals.
Employer-sponsored work visa options.
Opportunities in aged care and community healthcare.
Possible permanent residency pathways.
Professional development and specialist training.
Relocation support from some employers.
Opportunities for eligible family members to accompany them.
However, employers do not sponsor every overseas applicant. You must meet the professional registration, experience and immigration requirements for the position.
Top Australia Nursing Jobs Paying AUD $85,000+
Australia offers different nursing positions across hospitals, aged-care facilities and other healthcare organisations.
The following roles are worth researching if you are a qualified nurse interested in relocating.
Salary figures are indicative annual gross earnings, not guaranteed offers. Actual pay depends on the employer, state, clinical experience, employment agreement, shift penalties and allowances. Some figures may include benefits that are not part of the base salary.
Registered Nurse – AUD $85,000 to $115,000+
Registered nurses provide direct patient care and support doctors and other healthcare professionals.
They work in hospitals, medical centres, aged-care facilities and community healthcare organisations.
Their responsibilities may include:
Assessing patients.
Administering prescribed medication.
Monitoring patient conditions.
Preparing patients for medical procedures.
Maintaining patient records.
Supporting recovery and rehabilitation.
Registered nurses can work in different clinical departments depending on their training and experience.
Applicants generally need an approved nursing qualification, Australian registration and the appropriate work visa.
Mental Health Nurse – AUD $90,000 to $120,000+
Mental health nurses support people experiencing mental health conditions and emotional difficulties.
They may work in psychiatric hospitals, community mental health services, rehabilitation centres and specialised healthcare facilities.
Their duties include patient assessment, treatment support, medication management and helping patients develop recovery plans.
Australia recognises mental health nursing as a skilled occupation. Registered Nurse (Mental Health) appears on the Australian skilled occupation information for several migration pathways.
Experienced mental health nurses may find opportunities with hospitals and community healthcare providers.
Critical Care Nurse – AUD $90,000 to $125,000+
Critical care nurses care for patients with serious medical conditions who require close monitoring.
They commonly work in intensive care units and other specialised hospital departments.
Their responsibilities include:
Monitoring critically ill patients.
Operating specialised medical equipment.
Administering prescribed treatment.
Supporting emergency medical teams.
Recording changes in patient conditions.
Employers usually prefer applicants with relevant clinical experience and specialist training.
Emergency Department Nurse – AUD $90,000 to $120,000+
Emergency nurses provide care to patients arriving at hospitals with urgent medical conditions.
They assess patients, support emergency treatment and work with doctors and other healthcare professionals.
Emergency department nursing can be demanding because nurses often manage several patients with different medical needs.
Relevant experience in emergency departments, acute care or critical care can strengthen an application.
Aged Care Registered Nurse – AUD $85,000 to $110,000+
Aged-care nurses provide healthcare support to older people living in residential aged-care facilities and other care settings.
Their responsibilities may include medication management, wound care, patient assessments and supervising care teams.
Australia has a significant aged-care sector, creating employment opportunities for experienced registered nurses.
Some aged-care employers recruit overseas nurses and may consider eligible applicants for employer sponsorship.
Applicants should check the exact job requirements because not every aged-care vacancy includes sponsorship.
Operating Theatre Nurse – AUD $90,000 to $120,000+
Operating theatre nurses support surgical teams before, during and after medical procedures.
They help prepare operating rooms, organise surgical equipment and monitor patients throughout the surgical process.
Possible positions include:
Perioperative registered nurse.
Scrub nurse.
Anaesthetic nurse.
Recovery room nurse.
Hospitals may prefer applicants with previous operating theatre experience and relevant specialist training.
Paediatric Nurse – AUD $85,000 to $115,000+
Paediatric nurses provide healthcare services to babies, children and teenagers.
They work in children’s hospitals, general hospitals, specialist clinics and community health services.
Their responsibilities include monitoring child development, administering treatment, supporting families and assisting doctors during medical procedures.
Applicants with paediatric nursing experience may find opportunities in specialised healthcare facilities.
8. Community Health Nurse – AUD $85,000 to $110,000+
Community health nurses provide healthcare services outside traditional hospital environments.
They may work in community clinics, regional healthcare centres, public health organisations and home-care programs.
Their work can involve health education, disease prevention, patient monitoring and supporting people with long-term medical conditions.
Some regional employers recruit experienced overseas nurses for community healthcare positions.
9. Surgical Nurse – AUD $85,000 to $115,000+
Surgical nurses provide care to patients before and after operations.
They help prepare patients for surgery, monitor recovery and support medical teams during treatment.
Hospitals may recruit surgical nurses with experience in post-operative care, wound management and patient monitoring.
10. Clinical Nurse Specialist – AUD $100,000 to $135,000+
Clinical nurse specialists provide advanced nursing support within a particular clinical area.
They may specialise in emergency care, mental health, oncology, critical care or other medical departments.
Their responsibilities can include clinical assessments, staff education, treatment coordination and improving patient care standards.
These positions usually require substantial professional experience and additional clinical expertise.
3. Australian Employers Offering Nursing Opportunities
Foreign nurses can explore vacancies with public health departments, private hospitals and aged-care organisations.
Some employers have experience recruiting internationally qualified nurses.
Examples include:
NSW Health
NSW Health operates public hospitals and healthcare services across New South Wales.
It recruits internationally qualified nurses in selected areas, particularly rural and remote locations and mental health services.
Western Australia’s public healthcare system welcomes applications from eligible internationally qualified nurses and midwives.
Its recruitment information explains professional registration, employment requirements and possible sponsorship arrangements for experienced applicants in areas of critical shortage.
Important: These are organisations worth researching, not a guarantee that every employer currently has overseas sponsorship vacancies.
4. Australian Nursing Registration Requirements for Foreign Workers
One of the most important steps for an internationally qualified nurse is obtaining professional registration in Australia.
Nursing is a regulated profession. Foreign nurses cannot simply arrive and begin working as registered nurses without meeting the applicable registration requirements.
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) regulates nursing registration.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) manages registration applications.
Internationally qualified nurses should follow these steps.
Step 1: Check Your Nursing Qualification
Your nursing qualification must meet the applicable Australian registration requirements.
You may need to provide:
Nursing degree or diploma.
Academic transcripts.
Evidence of clinical training.
Previous nursing registration.
Employment records.
Professional references.
Identity documents.
The registration authority will assess your application and determine the appropriate process.
2: Meet the English Language Requirements
Internationally qualified nurses must meet the NMBA English language skills registration standard unless an exemption applies.
Accepted English-language tests include IELTS, OET, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and Cambridge English qualifications, subject to the applicable rules.
The NMBA introduced its 2025 English language registration standard on 18 March 2025. Changes to minimum scores for accepted English tests took effect on 23 April 2026.
Therefore, nurses applying in 2027 should check the latest accepted scores rather than relying on older IELTS or OET requirements.
3: Complete the Internationally Qualified Nurse Assessment
The registration process depends on where you obtained your nursing qualification and professional registration.
Since 23 April 2025, eligible internationally qualified registered nurses from approved comparable jurisdictions have access to additional streamlined registration pathways.
Applicants who do not qualify for these pathways must follow the existing internationally qualified nurse assessment process.
Depending on the applicant’s circumstances, this may involve an outcomes-based assessment process, including examinations or additional assessment requirements.
The subclass 186 visa is a permanent employer-sponsored visa.
It allows eligible skilled workers to live and work permanently in Australia.
The main streams include:
Direct Entry stream.
Temporary Residence Transition stream.
Labour Agreement stream.
Applicants must satisfy the requirements of their chosen stream, including employer nomination, occupation eligibility, professional skills and applicable registration requirements.
Some applicants may also need a suitable skills assessment and relevant work experience.
For nursing migration skills assessment information, visit:
https://anmac.org.au/skilled-migrants
Tips for Finding Genuine Nursing Sponsorship Opportunities
Finding a genuine Australian nursing employer requires careful research.
Here are some useful tips:
Apply through official hospital websites. Public hospitals and established healthcare providers usually publish vacancies through their official recruitment platforms.
Check registration requirements early. Some employers require Australian registration before considering an applicant for employment.
Consider regional opportunities. Regional and remote healthcare services may recruit experienced nurses from overseas in selected clinical areas.
Confirm sponsorship availability. A job advertisement mentioning international applicants does not always mean the employer offers visa sponsorship.
Compare salary packages. Check whether the advertised salary includes superannuation, allowances or other benefits.
Avoid recruitment scams. Never pay someone who promises a guaranteed nursing job or guaranteed visa approval.
You can also seek professional immigration advice from an appropriately registered Australian migration agent or authorised legal practitioner.
10. Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreign nurses get jobs in Australia paying AUD $85,000 or more?
Yes. Registered nurses in Australia can earn more than AUD $85,000 annually, depending on experience, employer, location and clinical specialisation.
Can Nigerian nurses apply for Australian nursing jobs?
Yes. Nigerian nurses can explore Australian employment and migration opportunities if they meet the relevant professional registration, English language, employment and visa requirements.
Does Australia offer visa sponsorship to foreign nurses?
Yes. Eligible employers may sponsor qualified overseas nurses through programs such as the Skills in Demand visa subclass 482 and other applicable employer-sponsored pathways.
Do I need IELTS to work as a nurse in Australia?
You must meet the NMBA English language registration standard unless an exemption applies. IELTS is one accepted option, but other tests may also be accepted under the current rules.
Can I work as a registered nurse without Australian registration?
You must hold the appropriate Australian registration before practising as a registered nurse. A job offer or migration skills assessment does not replace professional registration.
Which Australian states recruit foreign nurses?
Foreign nurses can explore opportunities in New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and other states and territories. Sponsorship availability depends on the employer and vacancy.
Can Australian nursing jobs lead to permanent residency?
Some eligible nurses may qualify for permanent residency through employer-sponsored or skilled migration pathways. Approval depends on the applicable visa requirements.
How much experience do I need for Australian nursing sponsorship?
There is no single experience requirement for every nursing vacancy or visa. For the subclass 482 Core Skills stream, applicants generally need at least one year of relevant work experience. Some employers require more. For example, NSW Health usually requires at least 24 months of nursing or midwifery experience for its public health facilities and sponsorship opportunities.
Conclusion
Australia offers employment opportunities for qualified nurses across hospitals, aged-care facilities and community healthcare services.
Registered nurses, mental health nurses, critical care nurses, emergency nurses and other specialists can explore positions with salaries of AUD $85,000 or more.
However, foreign nurses must understand that professional registration and immigration approval are separate requirements.
Start by checking your eligibility with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Prepare your qualifications, English language evidence and professional documents. Then search for genuine Australian healthcare employers recruiting internationally.
With the right qualifications, clinical experience and preparation, Australia could provide a valuable opportunity to develop your nursing career overseas.
