There is an increasing demand for nurses in Australia. An aging population means the government predicts a 24.5% increase in demand for registered nurses by May 2033. The need is across all specialisations and offers an attractive opportunity for Kiwi-trained nurses.

But the cap on student visas is making it harder to get your education in Australia itself. However, the requirements to work as a nurse in Australia are easy to meet if you get your qualification in New Zealand.

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There are a range of reasons why nurses are jumping the ditch.

Salaries are Higher in Australia

As on 2024, registered nurses in New Zealand are paid between NZ$75,773 and $106.739, depending on seniority. In Australia, the rates differ across states and territories:

  • Tasmania: AU$75,902 - $96,423 (equivalent to NZ$83,900 - $106,000~)

  • Queensland AU $79,058 - $106,144 (equivalent to NZ$87,400 - $117,400~)

  • South Australia AU $70,535 - $96,242 (equivalent to NZ$78,000 - $106,400~)

  • Northern Territory AU$85,000 - $105,000 (equivalent to NZ$94,000 - $116,100~)

  • Victoria AU$58,489 - $129,833 (equivalent to NZ$64,700 - $143,600~)

  • New South Wales AU$69,810 - $98,014 (equivalent to NZ$77,200 - $108,434~)

The Australian Lifestyle

While New Zealand has an incredible lifestyle, some people prefer Australia’s climate and beach lifestyle. It’s a bigger country and has more employment opportunities. Their cities are cosmopolitan, and are highly open to new ideas and innovation.

Career Opportunities

Both countries have desperate need for nurses, across all specialisations. However, Australia is simply a bigger place, and with a population of 26 million, there’s more opportunity to move locations, find a specialisation you’re passionate about, advance your career, and move in between employers.

Top Nursing Courses and Universities in New Zealand

There are a number of nursing courses in New Zealand.

Diploma in Enrolled Nursing

This 18-month course combines theory with clinical placements. The broad qualification allows you to grow skills in a range of different nursing settings and contexts. From this diploma, you can become an enrolled nurse, or transition to a Bachelor of Nursing.

Bachelor of Nursing (BNurs)

This level 7, three-year course, is a qualification that allows you to become a registered nurse. The courses include clinical experience, generally over 1,000 hours, so your theory is backed by varied and real-life experiences.

Master of Nursing Science

This two-year postgrad degree is intensive, allowing you to study what you’re passionate about. It provides the ability to specialise in a specific type of nursing and opens up more pathways for your future career.

Top New Zealand Institutions with Nursing Degrees

As well as most New Zealand universities, there are also tertiary level ‘institutes of technology’. These offer a more hands-on applied degrees than universities.

  • Auckland University of Technology offers: Graduate Diploma in Health Science, Bachelor of Health Science in Nursing, Master of Health Practice

  • ARA Institute of Canterbury offers: New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing, a Bachelor of Nursing

  • EIT Te Pukenga offers: Bachelor of Nursing, Master of Nursing, Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science
    Massey University offers: Bachelor of Nursing, and Master of Nursing

  • University of Auckland offers: Bachelor of Nursing, Master of Nursing or Master of Health Sciences, Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in Health Sciences

  • University of Canterbury offers: Bachelor in Health Sciences, Master of Health Sciences, Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing, Master of Advanced Nursing

  • University of Otago offers: Master of Health Sciences, Master of Advanced Nursing Practice, Master of Nursing Science, Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences, Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences

  • Otago Polytechnic offers: Bachelor of Nursing, NZ Diploma in Enrolled Nursing

  • Toi-Ohomai Institute of Technology offers: Bachelor of Nursing

  • University of Waikato offers: Bachelor of Nursing, Master of Nursing Practice, Bachelor of Nursing with Honours, Postgraduate Certificate of Health Science, Postgraduate Diploma of Health Science, Master of Health Science

  • Whitireia New Zealand offers a Bachelor of Nursing, Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Health Care Specialty Nursing, Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing

  • Wintec offers: Bachelor of Nursing, Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing, Master of Nursing

  • WITT offers: Bachelor of Nursing

IELTS and Language Proficiency Requirements

To get a Bachelor of Nursing, you’ll need to meet your institution’s minimum language requirements. It differs according to the provider, but generally you’ll need an overall of 6.5, across all bands. The English requirement is higher than some other courses as so much of the role requires communication.

Scholarship Opportunities for Nurses in New Zealand

There are a range of scholarships for international students in studying nursing in New Zealand.

Pathway to Australian Registration and Migration

If you are an international student wanting to know how to work as a registered nurse in Australia, it is an easier process if you get your degree in New Zealand.

How to Work in Australia as a Nurse with Qualifications from New Zealand

The Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement (TTMRA) makes it simple to get your New Zealand qualifications recognised in Australia. This agreement recognises nursing qualifications and standards between Australia and New Zealand. The degrees are designed to be comparable, and nurses are understood to be equivalent in terms of education and working experience.

Your first step to moving to Australia is getting assessed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). They evaluate your skills and qualifications to make sure they are the same as Australian ones.

To apply for mutual recognition of your New Zealand nursing degree:

  • Get your practising certificate with the Nursing Council of New Zealand. This process happens once you’ve successfully completed your course, and your tertiary institute should do this with you.

  • Create and login to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA) online portal

  • Apply, with the following paperwork required:

  • Valid passport copy

  • Any name change evidence

  • Current registration details

  • Payment fee and declaration

After 30 days, you will be advised of the decision. Once you’re assessed, you are eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Once registered, you can apply for jobs, and once successful, then you can apply for the relevant visa.

Want to Become a Nurse in Australia?

With a good salary, high quality of living, and boundless opportunities, being a nurse in Australia is an excellent career choice. Your New Zealand degree is equivalent to an Australian degree, and it is a simple process to get your qualifications recognised over the ditch.

Get expert assistance from our IDP registered migration agents for all your migration and visa inquiries, as well as help with your application submission. Contact us today for a chat about how we can help you become a nurse - in New Zealand or Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I migrate to Australia as a nurse from New Zealand?

Yes, and many nurses are migrating from New Zealand to Australia. It’s a simple process and there are good employment opportunities.

How can I become a registered nurse in Australia?

If you completed your nursing qualification overseas, you must be assessed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to ensure your skills and education are comparable.

If you completed your nursing qualification in New Zealand, you still have to apply for AHPRA assessment. However, the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement (TTMRA) makes this process faster.

Once approved, you can apply for registration with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

Why Are New Zealand Nurses Moving to Australia?

Nurse salaries are higher in Australia. The cost of living, particularly in tier two cities, can be cheaper too, making it an excellent financial choice. Also, the similarities of New Zealand and Australia make it an easy adjustment.

Can international nurses work in Australia?

Yes. First, you must be assessed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). This ensures your qualification and skills are considered comparable to Australian ones. Once approved, you can register with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and then apply for roles.