More Nurses, Sooner: Making It Easier for Overseas Nurses to Work in Australia
Australia is welcoming more nurses from overseas than ever before! There have been changes to the rules where aspiring nurses will have their application expedited. And it essentially means that skilled nurses from overseas can now start working in Australia faster. These changes will help fill gaps in the critical sector working in hospitals, aged care homes, and clinics, making sure Australians get the care they need.
More Nurses Coming to Australia
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, in the past year, 16,622 nurses from other countries registered to work in Australia. That’s three times more than in 2018 – 2019 (before COVID) when only 5,610 nurses joined. Over the last two years, 27,810 overseas nurses have started working in Australia. 70% came from New Zealand under a special agreement, and another 16% (4,476 nurses) arrived from countries like Canada, Ireland, Singapore, Spain, the UK, and the US.
What Changes Are Coming in March 2025?
From March 2025, nurses from countries mentioned above will have a faster and simpler process to register. This will cut waiting times by 6-12 months. Instead of taking extra exams or upgrading their qualifications, these nurses can start working sooner if they:
- Have worked at least 1,800 hours since 2017 in one of the approved countries.
- Meet the same safety and quality standards as Australian nurses.
This means skilled nurses can get into hospitals and clinics without long delays, fast-tracking the help that patients in the critical sector needs.
Keeping High Standards for Patient Safety
Even with these changes, safety remains and will always be the top priority. All overseas nurses must still:
- Pass the same checks & nurse qualifications as Australian nurses.
- Show they can provide high-quality care for patients.
Government Support to Grow the Workforce
The new rules have been created with help from the following agencies:
- The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
- The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra)
- State and federal governments
The Kruk Review found that Australia needed to bring in more skilled health workers. To help with this, the government is investing $90 million in the 2024-25 budget to support these changes and improve the healthcare workforce.
More Fast-Track Pathways for Health Workers
These changes have already helped other health workers since October 2024. Doctors from New Zealand, the UK, and Ireland have been using a fast-track system to register. So far, about 11 overseas doctors apply every week. Next year, other specialist doctors will also be able to use an easier process to work in Australia.
Conclusion
These changes are great news for Australia’s healthcare system and patients. By removing delays and keeping high standards, the country can welcome more skilled nurses while making sure everyone gets the care they deserve.
With faster registration, strong government support, and a focus on quality care, Australia is creating a better, stronger healthcare workforce for the years ahead.
Looking to start your healthcare career in Australia through study or skilled migration? Book a consultation today. Pathway to Aus is here to support you every step of the way!
