In Australia, nurses are in high demand, especially as the population of the country ages and grows. While it is not an easy job, it is unquestionably rewarding.
It's a regulated profession with an average graduate annual salary over $70,000. Data from 2021 indicates that the nursing profession grew by 19% between 2016 and 2021, and Labour Market insights suggest great career diversity for nursing and positive future industry growth.
However, at the beginning of your career, things may be a little tight. Depending on how you enter the healthcare industry, the cost of living may be on par with your salary, however, the good news is that Registered Nurses and above can expect to live relatively comfortably anywhere in Australia.
Nurses and midwives in NSW are experiencing such high levels of stress and burnout that 15 per cent are reporting symptoms of PTSD. Experts are calling for better pay and mandated staff-patient ratios.
In Denmark, nurses report extremely high levels of job satisfaction and are happy with their roles. EU nationals do not need a visa to work in Denmark but nurses from the U.S. will need to apply for the right to work in the country.
The average registered nurse salary in Australia is around $79,550 per year (about $41,00 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $76,063 per year up to $97,568 per year.
A 2021 report illustrates that 62 per cent of hospitals are reporting a nurse vacancy rate higher than 7.5 per cent, which, alarmingly, was before research showed that one-fifth of Australia's essential workers (including nurses) are considering quitting their job because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nurses and midwives are some of the worst affected, taking a real pay cut of almost $3000. According to the report: “A first-year nurse working for NSW Health in 2022 earned an annual wage of $76,403.60. When adjusted to 2022 dollars, that same first-year nurse working in 2012 earned $79,184.68.
The most stressful nursing jobs include ICU nurse, ER nurse, and NICU nurse. In these roles, nurses work in an intense environment with high stakes. They manage emergency situations and care for critically ill patients. Other stressful nursing jobs include OR nursing, oncology nursing, and psychiatric nursing.
Australia's work week consist of 38 hours. However, most midwives and nurses work a total of 33 hours on average. Keep in mind that most nurses will work an average of 38 hours but overtime opportunities abound. When a nurse first starts off their career they can work up to 12 hour shifts for three days in a row.
University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Situated in the heart of Sydney, just minutes from the coast, UTS is ranked number one for nursing in Australia by the QS World University Rankings 2023.
Becoming a registered nurse (RN) is a straightforward process. After completing the HSC, you must study an accredited tertiary degree and then register as an RN through the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
Nurses in Australia earn more than their American counterparts on average; however, this is not necessarily indicative of better job prospects or benefits/incentives offered by either country's healthcare system. Furthermore, numerous elements can affect wage levels, for example, expertise and field of practice.
The number of employed nurses and midwives ('workforce') increased 7.7% from 300,077 to 323,122 over the same period. The nursing and midwifery unemployment rate has remained stable at approximately 3.0% of the labour force since 2014.
Some of the positions on offer include nursing staff on a salary of $85,713 (£45,968.74) which is 58 per cent more than the average UK salary of £30,586, GPs with a salary of $232,963 (£124,940.39) compared to their UK salary of £72,070 and civil engineers on a salary of $120,193 (£64,460.71) compared to their UK ...
The average pharmacist wage is $66,955, well below the average nurse wage of $71,900, the report found, based on Graduate Careers data.
Workforce planning projections for the nursing workforce show that in the medium to long- term Australia's demand for nurses will significantly exceed supply, with a projected shortfall of approximately 85,000 nurses by 2025, and 123,000 nurses by 2030 under current settings.
The average enrolled nurse salary in Australia is $64,408 per year or $33.03 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $60,708 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $83,214 per year.
What can I earn as a General Practitioner? The average annual salary for General Practitioner jobs in Australia ranges from $360,000 to $380,000.