Australia's healthcare system is facing one of its most significant workforce challenges yet—creating a high-demand environment for registered nurses and specialized professionals. With a projected national shortfall of over 70,000 FTE nurses by 2035, the stage is set for ambitious nurses to build meaningful careers in a country that values healthcare talent

Why Nurse Demand in Australia Is Sky-High

• The Department of Health projects an undersupply of approximately 70,700 FTE nurses by 2035, with the most critical gaps in acute, mental health, and aged care sectors
• Government reforms—including expanding university intake, introducing nurse practitioner roles, and offering scholarships—aim to mitigate the impact, especially across rural and regional settings
• Rapid aging of the population has increased demand, particularly in aged care, where one in six Australians is over 65—and that proportion is rising steadily

What Job Roles Are Currently Open?

Here are examples from recent SEEK listings and public health boards that represent the diverse nursing landscape:

Registered Nurse – Gold Coast Hospital & Health Service (QLD)Contract/temporary roles, pay range A$41.73–65.84/hr + benefits like super, salary packaging, and leave loading Nurseslabs+15SEEK+15Reddit+15.

Full-time RN – Darling Downs Hospital (Toowoomba, QLD)Annual salary approx. A$82,753–106,144; rotate across general medical/surgical units with strong career growth potential SEEK.

Emergency Department RN – North West Regional Hospital (Tasmania)Pro rata roles up to A$105,995; includes postgraduate support and attractive rural location incentives

Beyond these, there’s growing demand for Remote Area Nurses, particularly in outback Indigenous communities. These roles require expanded clinical scope, including emergency procedures, prescribing, and broader primary care responsibilities

Career Outlook & Next Steps

Australia offers a highly attractive career trajectory for nurses at all levels:

• Acute care, aged care, emergency and mental health nursing remain top priorities.
• Advanced practice roles like clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners are becoming more prominent, leading to higher remuneration and leadership opportunities.
• Tech advancements such as telehealth and AI-assisted tools require nurses to be digitally proactive, especially in remote or specialist settings

Helpful Resources for Exploration

• Official nurse registration and job boards:
  • AHPRA / NMBA registration details
  • Australian government skilled migration lists and visa guides
  • SEEK Australia and Health Department vacancies