Best Nursing Universities in Australia 2026

Best Nursing Universities in Australia for International Students

Australia is recognized as one of the top study abroad destinations in all fields, especially in healthcare and nursing. When students opt for their academic journey in Australia, they get access to world-class education, firsthand training, and strong post-study work opportunities. Australia is home to some of the most renowned educational institutions in the world in the field of medical sciences, offering a promising career in nursing and other similar disciplines.
In this guide, we will explore everything you need to know about studying nursing in Australia, from undergraduate degrees to post study work opportunities. Explore your options to study in Australia.

Top 10 Nursing Universities in Australia 2026

Australian universities are considered among the top study abroad destinations for nursing and healthcare education all over the world. There is a growing demand for trained nurses in Australia, therefore choosing to pursue nursing in Australia opens doors to an advanced career in nursing.

Best universities are mentioned in the following for 2026:

Sr.	University Name	QS World University Rankings 2026	World Ranking by Subject 2026	Overall Performance Score
1	University of Technology Sydney	96	=16	84.6
2	Monash University	=36	=19	84.2
3	The University of Sydney	=25	=19	84.2
4	The University of Melbourne	19	29	82
5	Griffith University	268	=30	81.8
6	University of Wollongong	=184	36	81.2
7	Deakin University	=207	=38	80.9
8	La Trobe University	=233	=42	80.6
9	Adelaide University	=82	=50	79.7
10	Flinders University	387	=50	79.7

Nursing Degree Options in Australia

Australian universities offer nursing education at multiple levels. Many factors should be considered when choosing a university and city for your nursing career ahead, such as cost, city, scholarship options and career pathways. While the annual tuition costs can be high in some cases, you can still graduate with low educational costs by selecting the right universities. Oftentimes, the cost of tuition is low in regional universities and when you avail scholarships. Tuition fees for programs may vary between AUD 20,000 to AUD 45,000 per year, depending on the institution and level of education.
In the following, we discuss some of the cheapest nursing courses in Australia for International Students:

Diploma of Nursing

Duration: 1.5-2 years
Typical Fees: AUD 20,000 – AUD 30,000 annually

A Diploma in nursing is a foundational course that gives the learner the basics of nursing education. It is ideal for students looking for a shorter, less expensive route to a nursing career from Australia.

Bachelor of Nursing

Duration: 3 years
Typical Fees: AUD 25,000 – AUD 40,000 annually

The most prevalent nursing degree in Australia is the Bachelor of Nursing. It is crucial for enrolling as a registered nurse.

Graduate Certificate

Duration: 6 months – 1 year
Typical Fees: AUD 10,000 – AUD 20,000 per year

This is a compressed program for professionals who wish to level up in their career and enables them to specialize in their specific field or expertise.

Master of Nursing

Duration: 1.5 – 2 years
Typical Fees: AUD 30,000 – AUD 50,000

This is a postgraduate level of education and is designed for registered nurses who wish to advance in their career as leaders or researchers and also enables them for roles in nursing education.

Best Nursing Universities by City

Top nursing universities in Australia include University of Technology Sydney, Monash University, and the University of Melbourne. While many universities offer this course and are highly regarded in terms of academic excellence, here is a breakdown of the best nursing universities by city:

Melbourne

Melbourne is one of the world’s most advanced and liveable cities. Studying nursing in this city offers more than quality education. The city is home to leading universities and healthcare institutions that provide exceptional training facilities and placement opportunities.

Best universities include:

Sydney

Sydney is among one of the best cities in the world for housing top ranked universities, high quality of education and a modern lifestyle. Many universities in Sydney have ranked in the top world ranking charts for 2026, such as:

Adelaide

Adelaide is a top, affordable study destination for international students. It has been ranked among the world’s most liveable cities with a lower cost of living than Sydney and Australia. Top tier universities include:

Brisbane

Brisbane has been ranked among the top-30 global student cities, offers a high-quality lifestyle and is cheaper than major cities. Following are the best universities in this city that offer high quality education and are renowned in terms of graduate employability:

Nursing for International Students in Australia

Australian universities are very well-known for their programs in nursing and healthcare. This is one of the top professions with high demand in the market, stable career, and huge salaries. Students can work all over the world when they graduate from Australia. When it comes to healthcare education, Australia holds a special place among international aspirants due to academic excellence and practical skills and strong clinical focus. Australian universities combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience. The faculty makes sure that the students graduate with real-world skills that are required in the hospitals.

Here are the top reasons why students prefer Australia for nursing education:

World-renowned educational institutions for their high academic standards.
Accredited programs that are aligned with international healthcare systems.
Access to clinical placements in hospitals.
Multicultural study environment
Strong post-study work opportunities.
High demand of nursing professionals in the Australian medical sector.
Permanent residency opportunities after graduation.

There is always an increase in demand for nurses in the Australian healthcare system, therefore the universities put great emphasis on high quality education.

Nursing PR Pathways in Australia

International students who graduate from an Australian university and register as a nurse with AHPRA can apply to become a Permanent Resident in Australia. After completion of course and registration, international students can work as a nurse and start becoming eligible for skilled or employer-sponsored visas. Pathways include:

Skilled Independent Visa (189):

This is a point-based system and requires your nursing tole to be on the MLTSSL. No state or employer sponsorship is needed in this case.

Skilled Nominated Visa (190):

This pathway requires state or territory nomination. However, your role must be on the SOL list.

Employer Nomination Scheme:

This pathway is an employer-sponsored PR Visa. Your role must be on the MLTSSL, and you must meet the specific requirements under any of the three 186 visa schemes.

Here are some of the pathways that lead to PR:

Skilled Work Regional Visa (491):

This is a 5-year visa requiring nomination by a regional area. However, it is important that your nursing role must be on the regional occupation list. It demands a living period of 3 years and working regionally to meet requirements, and then you can apply for the Skilled Regional Permanent Visa.

Skills in Demand Visa (482):

This is an employer-sponsored temporary visa. If your nursing role is on the MLTSSL, you may transition to PR through the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme after gaining work experience.

Nursing Salary and Job Outlook in Australia

In Australia, over 450,000 nurses and midwives are registered in Australia, making them the largest clinical workforce in the country. This is a respected and rewarding profession with additional benefits, strong earning potential, and career growth opportunities.
Career paths for registered nurses in Australia include:

Registered Nurses in Mental Health

Mental health nurses care for people with mental health conditions. They work in public hospitals, private clinics, and community health centers.

Nurse Researchers

Nurse researchers work in hospitals, clinics, and labs. They design and run studies, collect data, and share their research work to help save lives.

Registered Midwives

Midwives support women during pregnancy, birth, and the weeks after. They also provide newborn care and help in emergencies.

Registered Nurses (Anaesthetic)

Anaesthetic nurses prepare patients before surgery and monitor during operations. They also support recovery after surgery.

Registered Nurses (Paediatrics)

Paediatric nurses care for babies, children, and young people. They give treatments and medications and monitor how children respond.

Registered Nurses (Surgical)

Surgical nurses take care of patients before and after surgery. They support recovery and make sure patients receive the care they need.

Salaries are highly based on experience and the state in which you practice. Average salary for nurses in the public sector include:

State	Salary per year in AUD
Queensland	Enrolled Nurses: 71,234 – 75,602 Registered Nurses: 79,058 – 106,144
Tasmania	Enrolled Nurses: 70,980 – 78,179 Registered Nurses: 78,179 – 99,316
South Australia	Enrolled Nurses: 62,642 – 71,835 Registered Nurses:70,535 – 96,242
Northern Territory	Enrolled Nurses: 71,359 – 81,479 Registered Nurses:80,665 – 107,800
Victoria	Enrolled Nurses: 54,672 – 57,517 Registered Nurses:58,489 – 129,833
New South Wales	Enrolled Nurses: 63,408 – 70,408 Registered Nurses: 71,864 – 100,952

Conclusion

Australia is recognized for its reputation as a leading destination for nursing education, offering internationally recognized qualifications, practical clinical exposure, and excellent career opportunities. Universities offer nursing on multiple levels, such as diplomas, undergraduate programs, and postgraduate certificates. The demand is huge in Australia, salaries are attractive, and multiple PR pathways exist. Choosing the right university and city can further enhance your chances of a better professional career.

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