Looking to study nursing in Australia? Explore top courses, fees and career pathways in our comprehensive guide.
Australia has a world-class reputation for educational standards, with Australian universities ranked among the best globally. Our nursing courses are designed to meet international standards, so you’ll graduate with a qualification that you can take anywhere.
When you study nursing in Australia, you’re taking advantage of a long and proud tradition that stems back to the earliest days of education in the country. Our universities emphasise hands-on exposure to clinical practice, so you learn real-life skills with a mix of innovative teaching methods.
Australia’s global reputation means nursing graduates are highly employable all around the world, as well as having access to the latest research opportunities in a welcoming, friendly environment.
To assist you in making a well-informed decision about studying nursing in Australia, we will explore the following topics on this page:
Here are the top nursing courses that can be undertaken across Australia, with a spotlight on the offerings at RMIT University.
A Diploma of Nursing is a two-year undergraduate course that teaches you how to work with patients of all ages in a range of different environments. It builds skills such as administering intravenous medication, wound management, basic anatomy and caring for patients with chronic conditions. At RMIT, we provide simulation laboratories and a web-based simulation, as well as 400 hours of work placement so you’ll graduate with the confidence to operate in a real-world setting.
A Bachelor of Nursing is a four-year undergraduate course that prepares you for a nursing career with critical theoretical and practical skills, as well as specialist areas such as anatomy and physiology, foundational nursing care, high dependency nursing, and mental health. At RMIT, we offer state-of-the-art clinical simulations and laboratories as well as a variety of healthcare agencies for work placement opportunities so you get real-world, hands-on experience.
A Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing is a one-year postgraduate course that covers issues specific to the discipline, honing your mental health nursing skills with exploration of topics such as moral and legal accountability, the impact of new technologies, different healthcare systems, and applying diagnostic and therapeutic techniques in your clinical practice. At RMIT, our course was developed in close consultation with industry, based on the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN) Credentialling Guidelines.
A Master of Nursing is a two-year postgraduate course that prepares you for senior leadership roles or research opportunities, furthering your professional development with a written thesis on a chosen topic. At RMIT, the Master of Science (Digital Health) covers a similar space, developing your advanced research skills with a bench-to-bedside-to-community approach that involves clinical, non-clinical, experimental and educational research.
To study nursing at RMIT, you’ll need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
*Please use this as a guide only. You are strongly advised to check the minimum English requirements required for your preferred course.
There are many engaging and important career opportunities open to nursing graduates. Nursing courses provide practical skills that help people, leading to employment in roles such as:
As a nursing graduate, you can also specialise in areas such as:
When thinking about the place that will be your home for the next few years, consider factors such as safety, culture, infrastructure and more. Think about how far away from home you want to live and whether you have a dream university in mind. Additionally, consider the reputation of the city among future employers. For example, Melbourne is widely recognised as Australia’s best city for students and consistently ranks among the Most Liveable Cities in the World.
Academic requirements can vary between different nursing courses, so it’s important to review the specific details of your preferred course before applying. For instance, the Diploma of Nursing degree will have different academic requirements to an Bachelor of Nursing or a Master of Science, due to the variations in the level of study or equivalent experience required for certain postgraduate courses.
Tuition fees are also course-specific, so make sure to check the annual fees listed on your preferred course’s page. Most universities display these fees on their course pages, providing the most accurate and up-to-date information. The range of tuition fees can significantly change based on the level of study, making the course pages the most reliable source for tuition fee details.
A city’s cost of living is another vital factor to consider. Manage your costs by considering factors such as accommodation options (on-campus vs off-campus), transportation expenses and potential work options while studying. In addition to everyday living expenses, remember study-related costs beyond course fees. This may include Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and other fees associated with your course. Conducting thorough research will help you create a realistic budget and make informed financial decisions.
When shortlisting universities, research academic rankings to gain a comprehensive view of a university’s strengths. Influential rankings such as QS World University Rankings, Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) and Times Higher Education (THE) World Rankings evaluate universities based on criteria like teaching, academic reputation, research impact, student satisfaction and employability. While rankings provide insights, they should be considered alongside other factors such as course offerings, faculty expertise and location.
Practise your nursing skills in clinical simulations and laboratories, as well as with actual patients.
Supervised clinical placements prepare you for work by reinforcing theory and skills in a live healthcare environment.
Our courses are developed in consultation with industry and enjoy a range of professional accreditations from relevant medical bodies.
You can also book an 1-on-1 online or phone consultations with our team about your study options, entry requirements, eligibility, scholarships and much more.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.
