If you’re weighing up nursing and aged care jobs in Australia, you’ve probably heard the sector is short-staffed. That’s true, but the shortage isn’t evenly spread. Some parts of nursing and aged care are desperate for people. Others are more competitive than you’d expect. Here’s what the actual numbers say about nursing and aged care jobs in Australia right now.
The shortage is bigger than most people realise
Australia is projected to be short up to 80,000 nurses by 2035. That’s not a small gap – it’s one of the largest workforce shortfalls in the country, and it’s why nursing keeps showing up near the top of every skilled occupation list.
Aged care is the sharpest edge of that shortage. The sector already employs around 414,000 direct care workers across nursing homes, home care, and flexible care settings, and it still needs roughly 110,000 more full-time-equivalent workers by 2030 just to meet Australia’s mandated care-minutes targets. That target isn’t optional for providers – it’s a legal requirement, which is exactly why the demand for workers is so persistent.
The reason the gap keeps growing is demographic, not temporary. The number of Australians aged 85 and over – the group most likely to need residential or home care – is expected to double within 25 years, passing one million people by around 2042. This isn’t a short-term hiring squeeze. It’s a shortage with a multi-decade runway.
What overseas-trained nurses actually earn
Registered nurse pay in Australia varies by specialty and state, but the ranges are solid:
- Aged care RN: roughly $86,500-$100,000
- Mental health RN: $85,000-$110,000+
- ICU/critical care RN: $85,000-$115,000+
- Entry-level RN: from around $70,235
Senior roles like nurse unit manager go higher again, often around $140,000. Aged care nursing pay is also scheduled for a further increase from August 2026, on top of the sector-wide pay rises already rolled out in recent years.
How overseas-trained nurses get registered
If you’re already a qualified nurse, the pathway runs through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and it typically looks like this:
- Skills assessment – the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) checks your qualifications against Australian standards
- English proficiency – you’ll need IELTS 7.0 in every band, OET Grade B, or PTE 65, depending on the test you sit
- Bridging program – some applicants need to complete a written assessment plus an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) at an Australian simulation centre
- AHPRA registration – your application goes to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
- Visa pathway – nursing sits on Australia’s skilled occupation lists, so several visa options open up once you’re registered
The whole process typically takes 6 to 12 months. Once you’re registered, you’re paid under the same Nurses Award classification as Australian-trained nurses – there’s no separate, lower pay scale for overseas-trained staff.
Visa-wise, registered nurses can move through the 189 (independent), 190 or 491 (state and regional nomination), or 482 (employer-sponsored) pathways, with permanent residency usually capped at under-45 for age points.
Aged care worker roles are a lower-barrier entry point
If you’re not a registered nurse but want into aged care, the personal care worker pathway (ANZSCO 423111) is worth knowing about, because it doesn’t require the same formal skills assessment nurses go through. Sponsoring employers typically assess your skills through interview, work history, and reference checks instead.
Pay sits lower than nursing – typically $24-32 an hour ordinary time, working out to roughly $50,000-65,000 full-time, with penalty rates for shift work pushing total annual income up to $65,000-85,000.
Visa options include the 482 (via the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement), 491 through regional nomination, 186 for permanent residency after 2-3 years on a 482, and in some cases 189 for experienced applicants with strong qualifications. Aged care workers are also included in several Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs), including the Northern Territory, South Australia Regional, and Western Sydney agreements – these give employers in those regions extra flexibility to sponsor overseas workers.
The bottom line
Nursing and aged care jobs in Australia aren’t niche options for migrants – they’re two of the more realistic, well-paid pathways into the Australian workforce right now, precisely because the shortage is structural rather than cyclical. If you’re a qualified nurse, the AHPRA process is well-trodden and takes under a year for most applicants. If you’re not, aged care worker roles offer a genuine entry point with a real path to permanent residency attached.
FAQ
How big is Australia’s nursing shortage?
Australia is projected to be short up to 80,000 nurses by 2035, with aged care needing roughly 110,000 additional full-time-equivalent direct care workers by 2030.
What English test score do overseas nurses need for AHPRA registration?
Most applicants need IELTS 7.0 in every band, OET Grade B, or PTE 65, though exact requirements can vary by pathway.
Do overseas-trained nurses get paid less than Australian-trained nurses?
No. Once registered with AHPRA, you’re paid under the same Nurses Award classification and pay rates as Australian-trained nurses.
Can I work in aged care without being a registered nurse?
Yes. Aged care worker roles (ANZSCO 423111) don’t require formal nursing qualifications or a TRA-style skills assessment – sponsoring employers assess skills through interview and work history instead.
