Nursing Courses in Australia - A Complete Guide for International Students

Australia has always taken pride in providing high-quality education. Australia's nursing programmes have been meticulously designed to transmit theoretical knowledge and hone the practical skills necessary to work in today's fast-changing healthcare system and to provide top-notch medical care. Australian universities offer different kinds of nursing programs at different levels. Some of the popular nursing courses in Australia for international students are mentioned below:

• Bachelor's of Nursing Practice

• Bachelor of Nursing

• Bachelor of Nursing (Honours degree)

• Graduate Diploma in Nursing

• Master's of Clinical Nursing

• Master's of Advanced Practice in Nursing

• Doctoral  of Philosophy (Nursing) (PhD)

While pursuing a nursing course, students are trained to perform the basic duties of nurses, such as taking care of the patients, assisting doctors, and managing general tasks in a hospital (first aid, patient records, etc.). It is considered one of the most preferred courses in the healthcare industry.

Australia is the 3^rd most sought-after study-abroad destination after USA and Canada. The country attracts international students from 160 countries around the world. Some of the advantages of studying nursing courses in Australia for Indian students are:

• Australia is home to many top-ranked universities in the world for nursing courses. According to QS world rankings 2022, 11 of the world's top 50 institutions for nursing are in Australia.

• Since the country's population is directly related to the number of healthcare workers required, Australia needs more nurses to meet the healthcare demand of its growing population. Thus nursing graduates have broad career options and high employment chances in Australia. According to a recent study by the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the employment of nurses is expected to grow by 19% between 2016 and 2026.

• International students can make their careers in nursing and even utilise it as a competitive advantage to seek Australian Permanent Residency due to the great demand for professional nurses in Australia.

• International students can get a high salary in Australia as nursing graduates. The average salary of registered nurses in Australia is around 73,000 AUD.

• The Australian student visa allows international students to work part-time for up to 40 hours per fortnight. It is a great opportunity for international students to enjoy life outside the university campus and the country's cosmopolitan environment.

Before enrolling for Nursing courses in Australia, international students must meet the eligibility criteria mentioned below.

• A minimum average grade point of 6.5 (60%) in previous education.

• An overall IELTS score of 7.5, with no band less than 7.0 (or equivalent score in another English proficiency test which the university accepts) to prove the English proficiency skill.

• Evidence of availability of sufficient funds.

• For a bachelor's degree, students must complete at least 12 years of education equivalent to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Moreover, for a Master's student must complete a bachelor's degree of 3 years.

Before applying to Australian universities, students require the following necessary documents:

• Academic transcripts of a previous educational institution (12^th and bachelors)

• Proof of English proficiency skills (through TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE)

• LOR (Letter of recommendation)

• SOP (Statement of purpose)

• Work experience certificate (if required by the university)

• Updated CV

• Valid Passport

Australia is home to some of the most prominent universities in the world. Around 72 Universities in Australia offer Nursing degrees and courses to international students. However, some of the top universities to study Nursing courses in Australia are mentioned below.

Many overseas students find it difficult to afford education in Australia (Nursing courses). However, scholarship opportunities offered by many Australian universities encourage international students to pursue Nursing courses in Australia at an affordable budget. Some of the top scholarships available in Australia for Nursing students are mentioned below:

• New Zealand Nurses' Organization (available for NZNO members only) 

• Betty Jeffrey Award

• The Australian College of Nursing (ACN)

• Australian College of Nursing Grants

• University of Sydney, Sydney Nursing School

• Anne Murray Mental Health Scholarship

• TQEH Research Foundation Scholarship: Honours

• Roger Nursing Scholarship Fund

• Heart Foundation PostDoc Fellowships in Australia

Q: What is the nursing course duration in Australia?
A: The duration of Nursing courses in Australia varies from course to course and university to university. The average duration of Nursing courses at different levels is mentioned below

Q: What are nursing course fees in Australia?
A: The cost of studying in Australia varies from course to course and from university to university. However, the average cost of studying nursing courses in Australia is between 20,000 AUD to 35,000 AUD.

Q: What qualifications do I need to study Nursing in Australia?
A: To pursue bachelor's degree in Nursing, students must complete at least 12 years of education equivalent to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) with minimum overall 65%. Moreover, for a Master's student must complete a bachelor's degree of 3 years with minimum overall 60%.

Q: How much IELTS is required for Nursing in Australia?
A: An overall IELTS score of 7.5, with no band less than 7.0 is required to study in Australia. However, few universities also accepts students application with overall IELTS score of 7.0 with no band score less than 6.5. 

Q: Do nurses get PR easily in Australia?
A: With the growing population, there is a huge demand for the nurses in Australia. Therefore, International students can utilise it as a competitive advantage to seek Australian Permanent Residency after making a professional career in nursing.

Moreover, if you are planning to study in Australia, contact our expert counsellors at any branch of Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). You can also take free online counselling through our website. Our expert counsellors will provide you with the best support and guidance for the admission and visa process. For more information or any queries, you can mail us at application02@meridean.org or call us at our toll-free no. 1800-1230-00011.