The Australian government predicts a short fall of 9,088 nurses until 2035 with prediction of increased jobs. With an increase in need for nurses to stabilise the Health Ecosystem, opportunities for nursing scholarship in Australia is steadily increasing.
Consequently, demand for students wishing to pursue Bachelor of Nursing in Australia for Nepali students is expected to multiply by two folds. Ample amount of opportunities, robust health infrastructure and eco-system, industry-university relationships, job oriented skill training and international work opportunity makes Australia a perfect destination to pursue for Nepalese Students.
Nursing Entry Requirements in Australia
Ensuring visa success for Bachelors of Nursing in Australia requires students to meet the University and Australian Immigration authorities requirement. Hence, understanding the entry and document requirement right from the start is essential to begin application. While, visa grant depends on several factors, aspirant nurses need to keep the following in their minds.
- Academic Threshold: Students need a successful completion of high school qualifications with an aggregate score of 60-65% or an aggregate of 2.8 and higher on the GPA scale. Students with both +2 or A levels can apply but they need to have a science and math faculty background with subjects like Biology and Mathematics, in high school studies.
- English Proficiency Proof: Unlike other bachelors degree courses in Australia, the english language proficiency test for nursing students is higher. On a scale of 9.0 on IELTS, nursing students are required to score a minimum of 7.0 on all bands. Writing, Speaking, Listening and Reading all require a score of 7.0. Alternatively, students can also present their TOEFL or PTE Academic scores to apply.
- Financial Threshold: Department of Home Affairs, Australia’s Immigration Authority, expects international students to prove their ability to afford education and lifestyle costs. Tuition fee may range from AUD 18,000 to 55,000 and AUD 29710 lifestyle expenses (usually transport, accommodation, utilities and groceries) annually.
- Visa Requirements: For student visa Sub Class 500, students need to submit personal documents, academic documents, English Proficiency Test scores and financial evidence to University and visa authorities. Furthermore, students also need Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and CoE to be part of visa documents submission from university before applying to Australia, follow here.
Specialisations and Career Opportunities for Nepalese Nurses in Australia
Industry Academia (University) relations in Australia, allows education providers to offer a valuable blend of practical and theoretical expertise in Bachelor of Nursing Programs. It allows students to be job ready right after completion of their bachelors degrees.
1. Clinical Placement Requirement.
Being job ready is in-built in university curriculum, students are required to complete a key component called clinical placement requirement. They are aided by professors and universities to complete 800 to 1000 hours of supervised clinical placements. Students are placed or recommended to hospitals, aged care centers and community health centers. It is designed to aid students get a real-life experience of health care facilities, hands-on experience of patient handling and skill sets application.
2. Specialisations
Australian University offers an array of career opportunities and specialisations for Nursing graduates. Nurses can provide aged care, midwifery, nursing education, mental health care, paediatrics and more. Clinics, hospitals, community health center, aged care, research center, and education sectors are top hirers of Nurses in Australia. Salary scale of some nursing specialisations open to bachelors students are tabulated below:
| Specialisation | Annual Salary (AUD) – Approximate Values |
|---|---|
| Mental Health Nurse | $76,000 – $111,200 Source |
| Midwifery | $76,700 – $111,200 Source |
| Paediatric Nurse | $80,000 – $124,000 Source |
| Critical Care Nurse | $82,700 – $112,000 Source |
| Aged Care Nurse | $67,960 – $122,400 Source |
| Nurse Educator | Around $95,000 Source |
Note: it is important to know, starting annual packages of Nurses usually start from AUD 70,000.
3. PR pathway for Nepalese Nursing Students
Students with excellent academic performances in University are sponsored job opportunities by employers. Additionally, nursing is included in Australia’s Skilled Occupation List, making it easier for receiving a PR. PR pathway is subject to students' performance in bachelors studies and provided requirements of Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) are met.
Initially, students have to clear Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)’s skill assessment, through either a supervised practice or a bridging course. The graduates can register as a nurse in both the two boards and receive the opportunity to work in Australia.
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We hope we have inspired you enough to begin application for Bachelors in Nursing in Australia. If you are still confused, our experts are a call away for help. Contact us now!
