Are you looking to develop and advance your Nursing career in Australia? Are you seeking professional development opportunities, or are you responsible for training and retaining Nursing staff? If so, staying informed about Nurse registration, wages, training, and upskilling is essential.
This guide provides quick links to key resources for Nurse registration, professional development, and Nurse wage entitlements in Australia.
Starting your Nursing Career – How do I start a Nursing Career in Australia?
Read our blog post Nursing in Australia – how to kickstart and progress your nursing career and check out these resources below.
Nurse Registration Requirements
To practice as a Nurse in Australia, you must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) requirements. This includes:
- Completing an approved program of study.
- Meeting recency of practice and English language proficiency standards.
- Undertaking Continuing Professional Development (CPD) each year.
For full registration and endorsement requirements, visit the NMBA website.
What is CPD for Nurses?
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) refers to activities that help Nurses maintain and enhance their professional skills and knowledge. These activities ensure Nurses stay up to date with best practices and meet regulatory requirements.
What are the CPD Requirements for Nurses in Australia?
To maintain registration, all registered Nurses and midwives must complete at least 20 hours of CPD annually. These activities must:
- Be relevant to your professional practice.
- Be recorded in a CPD portfolio (including evidence of learning outcomes).
- Align with NMBA’s CPD registration standard.
Study and Professional Development Opportunities - Where can Nurses find professional development courses in Australia?
Continuous learning is key to career progression in nursing. Below are reputable providers offering CPD courses and further training:
- Australian College of Nursing (ACN) – Provides a CPD Centre with online and in-person courses, Microcredential courses for specialisation, and postgraduate Nursing courses.
- Ausmed Education – Offers free and paid CPD courses for Nurses, midwives, and students, helping them refresh their knowledge and meet CPD requirements.
- ACHS Improvement Academy – Specialises in CPD training on infection control, incident management, and comprehensive care.
- Mater Education – Provides professional development covering clinical skills, leadership, and simulation training.
- CRANAplus – Offers specialised training for health professionals working in rural, remote, and isolated areas. Their courses—covering midwifery upskilling, emergency nursing, triage, and life support—help Nurses build the skills and confidence needed to deliver high-quality care in challenging environments.
- Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) – Maintains a national register of accredited postgraduate Nursing programs, helping Nurses find approved qualifications for career advancement.
Nurse Award and Wage Information
Nurse wages in Australia depend on factors such as state/territory, employer type, and enterprise agreements.
- For national pay awards, refer to the Nurses Award.
- For specific pay rates and conditions, use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool.
- For state-based enterprise agreements, check your relevant state health department or union website, or search Enterprise Agreements on the Fair Work Commission’s website, or read our 2025 Nurse Salary Guide.
