Ready for a nursing adventure? Explore rural and remote nursing opportunities in Australia for NZ nurses, including registration and visa info.
Kia Ora!
Thinking about moving across the Tasman and working as a nurse or midwife in rural or remote Australia?
Whether you're dreaming of tropical Queensland, a sleepy town by the beach or somewhere completely off the beaten track, our nursing roles can take your career in a new direction.
And the best part? Thanks to the close relationship between New Zealand and Australia, getting started is easier than you expect.
"Being able to choose contracts that suit my timeframe, family commitments, travel plans and lifestyle has been made easy. The flexibility means I can work around what matters most to me."
Janelle, RN
RN Jess, Lizard Island Queensland
Can New Zealand nurses work in rural and remote Australia?
Yes, absolutely.
If you're a registered nurse, enrolled nurse or midwife in New Zealand, there's a good chance you could be working in Australia sooner than you think.
Through the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement (TTMRA), your New Zealand nursing qualifications can be recognised in Australia, giving you a streamlined pathway to registration and employment.
That means you could soon be working in regional hospitals, remote clinics and outback communities across the country.
What about registration?
Before you can start work in Australia, you'll need to register through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), which manages registration on behalf of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
The good news is that many Kiwi nurses find the process relatively straightforward thanks to the similarities between our healthcare systems and qualifications. The key is getting started early and having all your paperwork in order.
Once you are registered you'll be ready to apply for roles asap.
"While there are differences between states and healthcare services, I found that New Zealand nursing experience and best-practice guidelines translate extremely well to Australia."
Janelle, RN
RN Mandy, Portland Victoria
Do you need a visa?
One of the biggest advantages of being a Kiwi citizen is that you'll generally receive a Special Category Visa (Subclass 444) on arrival. This allows you to live and work here indefinitely, without needing to navigate many of the visa requirements faced by nurses from other countries.
You'll also have access to Medicare, Australia's public healthcare system.
Do you have the right experience?
Rural and remote roles require a minimum three years of post-graduate experience.
High-demand skills include emergency department (ED), ICU, medical and surgical, primary health and maternity, particularly for placements in more remote locations.
"The work in rural and remote Australia is incredibly rewarding. Professionally, you can continue to develop and hone your skills as far as you want to go."
Janelle, RN
Learn more: Criteria for regional, rural & remote nursing
RN Lillian, Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park WA
What's the next step?
If you're a New Zealand nurse or midwife with the right experience, now is a great time to explore your options.
We are here to support you from day one and throughout your placement. And if you want to work in the big smoke, our sister agency Alliance Nursing, covers nursing roles in metro locations across all major state capitals.
Ngā mihi.
