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Are you an international student looking to make a promising career in nursing?


Come,  discover the ever thriving and expanding (23% projected job growth) Australian workforce involved in Healthcare. Different nursing qualifications have different employment outcomes. You could choose to become an Enrolled Nurse, a Registered Nurse (RN), a midwife or even a Medication Endorsed Enrolled Nurse (EEN).
Nurses are in high demand globally and in Australia, and consistently feature in the skills shortage list for Australian PR.
Due to the high demand for Registered nurses as with other sectors of nursing, these occupations are listed consistently in the Skilled Occupations List (SOL) and the Consolidated Sponsored Occupations List (CSOL). These include Registered Nurse (Medical Practice), Registered Nurse (Aged Care), and Nurse Practitioner. As most visa types, an assessment procedure by a recognised authority (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council, ANMAC for Registered nurses and practitioners) is required as part of the visa application for work or migration purpose such as Permanent Residency. Nursing degree graduates can look ahead in building a medical career and invest for a bright future in Australia.

Courses Available for Nursing in Australia


As per the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Australia’s provisions, Enrolled Nurses usually work under the direction and authority of a Registered Nurse. There are some tasks that only a Registered Nurse can do. An EEN is an Enrolled Nurse who has gone through some additional training which gives them the ability to administer medications. Here are the different types of qualifications to set you up for a nursing career in Australia.

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Nursing Colleges in Australia: Specialization 

There are three-degree types and one certificate and one diploma degree course available in nursing colleges in Australia -

  • Undergraduate Degree – Bachelor of Science (BSc.), Bachelor of Nursing (BSN).
  • Graduate Degree – Masters of Science (MSc.), The Master of Nursing Science (MNSc).
  • Doctoral Degree – Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).
  • Graduate Certificate.
  • Graduate Diploma.
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Bachelor of Nursing

This prepares for your future role as a Registered Nurse in a health care environment. Subjects include, but are not limited to health assessment, physiology, legal and professional issues, principles of research etc.

Nursing Course Duration

3 years’ full time or equivalent part-time to complete Bachelor of Nursing

Study Nursing Eligibility Requirements

  • Academic: Completion of Year 12 or Overseas Equivalent
  • English: Academic IELTS score of 7.0 overall or equivalent

*Institutions or universities may require a higher or lower IELTS score

Master of Nursing

Specially designed for graduates of any Bachelor of Nursing degree to learn how to work with other healthcare professionals toward providing patient care that is of the highest quality and develop leadership skills in nursing.

Course Duration

2 years of full-time or four years of part-time study to complete Master of Nursing

Eligibility Requirements

  • Academic: Completion of relevant Bachelor degree or equivalent
  • English: Academic IELTS score of 7.0 with no band lower than 7.0 or equivalent

*Institutions or universities may require a higher or lower IELTS score

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Diploma of Nursing

Become an Enrolled Nurse doing Diploma of Nursing in 12 to 18 months by international students in Australia. The Diploma course will teach you the basic skills and knowledge needed to work under a Registered Nurse. Through this course you will be able to work in a variety of nurse settings, and/or you can continue studying to complete a Bachelor of Nursing and get credits towards it.

Course Duration

1.5 to 2 years to complete Diploma of Nursing

Eligibility Requirements

  • Academic: Completion of Year 12 or Overseas Equivalent
  • English: Academic IELTS score of 7 overall with no band lower than 7 or equivalent

The Internationally Qualified Nurse (IQN) Program

Formally known as the IRON Program it aims to prepare international nurses for Australian registration. The program is a bridging course recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and helps build confidence and increases the employability of overseas nurses.

Frequently asked questions
about studying Nursing in Australia

Australia had always taken pride for providing high quality education. Australian Nurse Programs had been meticulously developed to impart theoretical knowledge and hone practical skills required in delivering excellent healthcare services.

High demands for qualified nurses and related healthcare services, as reflected in Skilled Occupations List, is one of the driving factors for its popularity. Relevant educational background, work experiences maybe counted towards application of Permanent Residency.

Another appealing reason for practicing nurses to consider Australia is the Bridging Program for Nurses or popularly known as IRON (Initial Registration for Overseas Nurses). Overseas nurses coming from different backgrounds and practice are prepared thoroughly to be integrated into the Australian workforce.  It strengthens their existing knowledge and skills; orient them to best practise methods in their field; and make them aware of their conduct and legal responsibilities in the practise of their profession in Australia.

Also as the third most preferred destination for international students, the country continues to attract international students and tourists alike because of the culture, the sceneries, the laid back atmosphere and the unique flora and fauna and the thousand and one reasons why Australia is the place to be.

It is good to note that most international students can work for up to forty (40) hours every two weeks during semester and unrestricted hours during any scheduled course break and public holidays.

Talk to our friendly AECC consultants and start building your future today.

Speak with our experts

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Speak with our experts

To get in touch with our expert team, simply leave your details below and we’ll call you for a FREE consultation.

Student Testimonials

"I am ever grateful to the competent team for helping me attain my student visa in no time. The consultation and customer services they provide is efficient and excellent."
AECC provided great assistance on my student visa application in Melbourne, Australia. They made sure that I was on the right track as I extended my visa and kept me updated on the application process. Additionally, the team has been very approachable and always there to answer all my queries."

I have been a client of AECC since 2010. From that time, they have been helping me with all visa and education-related matters. I am very happy with their professional advice and friendly behaviour. So, I would like to recommend all to visit them for your migration pathway."

"I have been very impressed with AECC  services, the whole team is efficient and knowledgeable. Thank AECC for your great support and guidance through my Professional Year Program and 485 visa."

"I had a very great experience with AECC. They were very cooperative at each stage. With the good guidance of Roldan I was able to decide what's best for my future. AECC has the best consultants over Australia!"

"Permanent residency granted! Thank you to AECC  for helping me with my Permanent Residency, especially to Sanjib. Thank you for all your time and effort. I highly recommend AECC for your student visa, graduate visa and permanent residency visa. They have very friendly and helpful staff."
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