The best nursing schools in Australia in 2026 include the University of Technology Sydney, Monash University, the University of Sydney, the University of Melbourne, Griffith University, the University of Wollongong, Deakin University, La Trobe University, the University of Adelaide, and the University of Queensland. Based on the QS World University Rankings by Subject: Nursing 2026, UTS ranks #16 globally, Monash and Sydney are tied at #19, Melbourne ranks #29, Griffith #30, Wollongong #36, Deakin #38, La Trobe #42, and Adelaide #50. UQ sits in the 51–100 band. Australia has 20 universities represented in the 2026 QS nursing subject ranking, giving international students a broad range of options.
For an international student, however, the ranking is only the starting point. Nursing is a regulated profession in Australia, so the programme you choose needs to lead toward registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, or Ahpra. Ahpra’s official approved-programmes database explains that graduates of approved programmes are qualified to apply for registration, although graduation alone doesn’t automatically complete the registration process. You should therefore check both the university’s course information and the official approved-programmes database before paying a deposit. A highly ranked university is useful, but a professionally approved nursing degree is essential.
Australia is also attractive because nursing education combines academic study with substantial clinical experience. For example, the University of Queensland’s Bachelor of Nursing is a three-year programme with 880 hours of supervised clinical practice, while UTS says clinical learning begins in the first year and continues through the course. These practical components matter because you aren’t simply preparing for an academic qualification. You’re developing the clinical knowledge, communication skills and professional judgement required to work with patients.
The 2025-to-2026 ranking comparison also gives you useful context. UTS moved from #26 to #16, Monash from #24 to #19, Sydney remained around the #19 position, while Griffith moved from #33 to #30. Ranking movement doesn’t automatically mean that a programme became better or worse in one year. QS rankings compare institutions using several indicators, including academic and employer reputation and research-related measures. You should therefore use year-on-year rankings to identify trends rather than treating them as an acceptance-rate table.
Australia’s nursing workforce provides another reason the subject attracts international students. Jobs and Skills Australia currently reports around 366,200 employed registered nurses, with median full-time weekly earnings of A$2,192 based on its latest occupation profile data. It also reports annual employment growth of about 12,600 for the occupation. At the same time, Australia’s 2025 Occupation Shortage List shows that shortages remain in important professional and health-related areas even though overall labour-market pressure has eased. Those figures don’t guarantee employment for every graduate, but they show why nursing remains an important Australian study and workforce field.
Best Nursing Schools in Australia 2026
| University | QS Nursing 2026 | QS Nursing 2025 | Typical nursing route | International-student consideration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Technology Sydney | #16 | #26 | Bachelor of Nursing | English + extensive clinical training |
| Monash University | =#19 | #24 | Bachelor of Nursing | Direct undergraduate pathway |
| University of Sydney | =#19 | =#19 | Bachelor/Master pathways | Strong research and clinical environment |
| University of Melbourne | #29 | Top 50 | Master of Nursing Science | Graduate-entry route |
| Griffith University | #30 | #33 | Bachelor of Nursing | Clinical placement focus |
| University of Wollongong | #36 | #51 | Bachelor of Nursing | Regional-city option |
| Deakin University | #38 | — | Bachelor of Nursing | Multiple Victorian campuses |
| La Trobe University | #42 | #42 | Bachelor of Nursing | Melbourne + regional options |
| University of Adelaide | #50 | — | Bachelor of Nursing | South Australia pathway |
| University of Queensland | 51–100 | 51–100 | Bachelor of Nursing | 880 supervised clinical hours |
QS 2025 and 2026 positions are subject-level nursing rankings. A band such as 51–100 isn’t a precise rank.
How We Ranked the Best Nursing Schools in Australia
The primary ranking used here is the QS World University Rankings by Subject: Nursing 2026. QS’s subject rankings are more relevant for this article than a university’s overall global position because you’re choosing a nursing programme rather than simply choosing a university brand. In the 2026 nursing table, UTS leads Australia at #16 globally. Monash and Sydney follow at #19, while Melbourne, Griffith, Wollongong, Deakin, La Trobe and Adelaide also sit inside the global top 50. The Australian Government’s Study Australia platform separately confirms that UTS was the highest-ranked Australian provider for nursing in the 2026 QS subject rankings.
The second factor is professional approval. Ahpra maintains an official Approved Programs of Study database and states that graduates of approved programmes are qualified for registration, subject to meeting the remaining registration requirements. The NMBA is the national regulatory board responsible for nursing and midwifery regulation, while ANMAC is the accreditation authority for nursing and midwifery education programmes. This distinction matters because rankings measure academic standing, while professional approval determines whether the qualification fits the Australian registration pathway.
The third factor is clinical education. Nursing is a practical profession, so a strong programme needs more than attractive lecture halls and research publications. UQ, for example, lists 880 hours of supervised clinical practice and placements across hospitals and healthcare facilities. UTS describes its Bachelor of Nursing as a three-year programme with clinical learning beginning in the first year and continuing through subsequent sessions. Those examples show why clinical exposure should be part of your university comparison.
The fourth factor is international-student access. Australian nursing programmes can have English-language requirements that are higher than the general university minimum. UTS, for example, lists an IELTS Academic requirement of 7.0 overall, with 7.0 in speaking, listening and reading and 6.5 in writing for its Bachelor of Nursing under the applicable testing rules. Melbourne’s Master of Nursing Science similarly lists IELTS 7.0 with no band below 7.0, alongside additional NMBA English requirements. You should therefore never assume that meeting a university’s general English requirement automatically satisfies nursing registration requirements.
Finally, we considered employment and post-study context. Jobs and Skills Australia reports strong employment levels for registered nurses, while its shortage research shows that health remains one of the areas experiencing labour-market pressure. International graduates can also potentially use Australia’s Temporary Graduate visa after completing eligible Australian study. The Department of Home Affairs currently states that the Post-Higher Education Work stream generally provides two years for a bachelor’s degree, subject to eligibility and applicable exceptions. This is useful context, but a graduate visa isn’t the same thing as permanent residency or professional registration.
1. University of Technology Sydney
The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is Australia’s highest-ranked university for nursing in the 2026 QS subject ranking. UTS ranks #16 globally, improving substantially from #26 in 2025. That 10-place movement is one of the clearest year-on-year changes among Australia’s leading nursing schools. The Australian Government’s Study Australia platform also identifies UTS as Australia’s highest-ranked university for Nursing in the 2026 QS results. For a student building a shortlist, that makes UTS one of the first Australian programmes worth investigating.
The Bachelor of Nursing at UTS is designed around both theoretical and practical nursing education. The university describes it as a three-year full-time programme that combines theoretical subjects with clinical learning. Importantly, clinical placements begin in the first year and continue through the programme. Students can also choose a clinical specialty elective in their final year, including areas such as paediatrics, critical care, perioperative nursing and palliative care. That structure gives you an opportunity to connect classroom learning with real healthcare environments rather than leaving clinical exposure until the final stage of your degree.
International applicants should pay close attention to UTS’s English requirements. The university currently lists an IELTS Academic score of 7.0 overall, with 7.0 in speaking, listening and reading and 6.5 in writing for the Bachelor of Nursing under the relevant requirements. UTS says its nursing English requirements align with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council’s English-language proficiency criteria. This is important because nursing English is not simply about understanding lectures. You need to communicate accurately with patients and healthcare professionals in clinical situations.
UTS also demonstrates why published acceptance rates need caution. The university does not provide a simple, reliable nursing acceptance percentage that can be compared directly with every other Australian university. Its published admissions information provides entry pathways and course requirements instead. UTS notes that applicants can enter through several pathways, including recognised qualifications and alternative admissions routes. A third-party website claiming that UTS nursing has a particular “acceptance rate” should therefore be checked carefully. Without the applicant pool, eligible applications, offers and enrolled places for the same year, the percentage can be misleading.
The financial side also deserves attention. Current programme listings show UTS’s Bachelor of Nursing at around A$46,710 per year for international students, although applicants should verify the exact fee for their intake directly with UTS because university fees can change. Sydney also has a relatively high cost of living compared with many Australian regional locations. For you, that means the real comparison isn’t simply UTS versus another university’s tuition. You should compare tuition, accommodation, transport, clinical-placement travel and everyday expenses together.
2. Monash University
Monash University ranks joint #19 globally for Nursing in QS 2026, placing it alongside the University of Sydney. Its 2025 position was #24, so Monash moved five places upward in the latest edition. That movement gives Monash a stronger position in the current Australian nursing landscape. The university is also part of Australia’s Group of Eight research-intensive universities, which adds a broader research environment around its health programmes.
Monash’s Bachelor of Nursing is a direct undergraduate pathway designed to prepare students for professional nursing. The university describes the course as incorporating contemporary knowledge, clinical practice, research and technology. Its programme information states that successful completion leads to eligibility to seek registration as a registered nurse with the NMBA. That last point is crucial because it connects the academic programme to the professional destination you’re actually pursuing.
For international applicants, Monash provides specific academic pathways and entry information. Its international course materials list the Bachelor of Nursing as a three-year degree and identify the course as professionally accredited. Monash’s pathway materials also explain that its foundation pathway can lead into nursing when the applicant satisfies the required conditions. This can matter if your secondary-school qualification doesn’t map neatly onto Australian Year 12 requirements.
Monash doesn’t publish a simple nursing acceptance rate that can be responsibly compared with UTS or Sydney. Instead, the university publishes entry requirements and pathway information. Its international guide shows indicative academic thresholds, but these should not be confused with a guaranteed offer or an annual acceptance percentage. The distinction is especially important because nursing places can be constrained by programme capacity, professional requirements and clinical placement availability.
Tuition is another consideration. The international guide available for the relevant period lists nursing tuition at around A$41,100 per year, although applicants should confirm the current fee for their exact intake. Monash’s nursing facilities and clinical education also sit within the broader Melbourne healthcare environment. If you want a major research university but don’t necessarily want to study in central Sydney, Monash gives you a different location and cost profile while retaining a top-20 global nursing position.
3. University of Sydney
The University of Sydney ranks joint #19 globally for Nursing in QS 2026, matching Monash’s position. Its QS Nursing ranking remained around #19 between 2025 and 2026, making it one of Australia’s most stable top-ranked nursing schools. Sydney’s broader university profile is also highly international. QS describes the university as having students from a wide range of countries, while the university offers multiple nursing pathways for both undergraduate and graduate applicants.
One feature that makes Sydney especially interesting is its range of nursing entry routes. The university offers a Bachelor of Nursing as well as graduate-entry pathways, including a Master of Nursing for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. The Master of Nursing is designed for people changing careers into nursing and includes subjects such as anatomy, pathophysiology, pharmacology, clinical skills and nursing practice. That means your previous education can change which nursing route makes the most sense.
Sydney’s graduate-entry option is particularly useful for international students who already have a bachelor’s degree. The university states that its Master of Nursing is intended for people with a previous non-nursing undergraduate qualification. This can be much faster than starting another three-year undergraduate degree, although the financial and academic requirements differ. You should therefore decide whether you’re applying as a school leaver, transfer student or graduate before comparing course fees.
The university also makes clear that nursing applicants need to satisfy specific English and inherent requirements. Its current nursing information highlights the need to meet the relevant English requirements, while Sydney’s application system provides international qualification equivalencies and course-specific admission information. There isn’t a reliable official nursing acceptance percentage that can be used to say that a certain share of applicants receive offers. Published entry scores are much more useful for planning your application.
Sydney’s location is both an advantage and a financial consideration. You gain access to one of Australia’s largest healthcare markets and a major international city. At the same time, accommodation and living expenses can be substantial. A current QS programme listing places the international Bachelor of Nursing tuition at roughly the A$40,000–A$50,000 range depending on the course structure and year. Always confirm the exact fee with Sydney before budgeting.
4. University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne ranks #29 globally for Nursing in QS 2026. That places it just outside Australia’s top three nursing universities but still firmly inside the global top 30. The university’s nursing offering is particularly interesting because it differs from the direct-entry model used by several other Australian institutions. Melbourne offers a Master of Nursing Science that can provide a graduate-entry pathway into professional nursing.
The Master of Nursing Science is a two-year full-time programme at the Parkville campus. The university says applicants can enter with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any discipline, subject to its current admission conditions. That structure makes Melbourne particularly relevant if you already have a university degree in another field and want to change careers. Instead of beginning another undergraduate degree, you can pursue a graduate-entry nursing qualification.
Melbourne also provides unusually clear guidance about academic competitiveness. The university encourages applicants with a WAM of 65 or above, but explicitly says that this is an indication and can change depending on the applicant pool. It also states that meeting the minimum requirement doesn’t guarantee selection. This is a good example of how universities can communicate competitiveness without publishing an artificial acceptance rate.
English requirements are equally important. Melbourne currently lists IELTS 7.0 with no band below 7.0, alongside TOEFL and PTE alternatives. It also requires applicants to satisfy the NMBA English standard before starting the course. The university specifically notes that applicants who satisfy its general language requirements through prior study may still need to satisfy the NMBA’s separate nursing-language rules. For international students, that distinction can save you from assuming that one English exemption covers every requirement.
Melbourne also warns that places are limited. Its application information says applicants should apply before the timely deadline because places are limited and late applications may only be considered subject to availability. That gives you a more useful picture of competitiveness than a generic acceptance-rate website. If you already have a bachelor’s degree and want a graduate-entry nursing route, Melbourne deserves serious research.
5. Griffith University
Griffith University ranks #30 globally for Nursing in QS 2026, moving upward from #33 in 2025. That places Griffith among Australia’s top five nursing universities by the current QS subject ranking. The university has also developed a substantial health and nursing profile, with programmes that emphasise clinical practice and professional preparation.
Griffith’s nursing education is particularly relevant if you’re interested in hands-on training. Its Bachelor of Nursing includes professional experience placements, and Griffith’s programme documentation shows that clinical placements are subject to detailed scheduling and professional requirements. The university’s placement documentation also indicates that international placements can be possible in some circumstances, although they involve additional preparation requirements. That kind of practical flexibility can be useful for students interested in broader healthcare exposure.
One detail international applicants should understand is credit transfer. Griffith states that certain international studies cannot receive credit toward specific clinical placement courses because of Australian registration requirements. This is a crucial point for students who have already started nursing in another country. You shouldn’t assume that previous nursing coursework will shorten an Australian nursing degree. Clinical components may need to be completed in Australia to satisfy professional requirements.
Griffith does not publish a dependable nursing-specific acceptance rate that can be compared with UTS or Monash. Instead, applicants should focus on academic prerequisites, English requirements, available places and programme-specific selection conditions. A lower or higher acceptance percentage from a third-party site wouldn’t tell you whether your particular qualification is acceptable. For international applicants, qualification assessment can be more important than the headline acceptance number.
The university also gives you a different location choice from Sydney and Melbourne. Griffith operates in Queensland, including campuses in the Brisbane and Gold Coast regions. That can affect your accommodation costs, lifestyle and clinical-placement options. Queensland also has a significant healthcare workforce, making the state relevant if you intend to study and eventually seek professional employment there.
6. University of Wollongong
The University of Wollongong (UOW) ranks #36 globally for Nursing in QS 2026, moving significantly upward from #51 in 2025. That 15-place movement makes UOW one of the most noticeable Australian movers in the current nursing ranking. It also demonstrates why older articles can quickly become outdated. A university that appeared just outside the global top 50 in one edition can move well inside it the following year.
UOW offers a Bachelor of Nursing designed around academic learning and professional clinical preparation. Its location in Wollongong also gives students a different environment from Sydney’s dense metropolitan setting. The university is close enough to Sydney to benefit from the broader New South Wales region while providing a separate university-city experience. For some international students, that balance can make living and studying less overwhelming.
The university’s regional setting also matters when you calculate costs. Housing expenses can vary substantially between major Australian cities and regional locations. However, you shouldn’t assume that every regional university is automatically cheap. Accommodation prices, transport requirements and personal spending still vary. Your best approach is to build a complete annual budget using the university’s current tuition and local living-cost estimates.
As with the other universities on this list, UOW doesn’t provide a single nursing acceptance rate that can be reliably compared with the previous year’s rate. A year-to-year QS ranking change also tells you nothing about whether admission became 5% or 10% more difficult. The appropriate comparison is the published entry standard, application process and availability of places. If a third-party website gives an acceptance percentage, check whether it actually refers to the Bachelor of Nursing.
UOW is therefore a particularly interesting option for students who want a globally ranked nursing programme outside Sydney’s central metropolitan environment. Its rise from #51 to #36 also gives you a useful example of ranking volatility. You should still verify current professional approval through Ahpra before applying because the professional status of the programme matters more than a ranking movement.
7. Deakin University
Deakin University ranks #38 globally for Nursing in QS 2026, placing it comfortably inside the world’s top 40 nursing institutions. Deakin’s position makes it one of the strongest Australian options outside the first five universities in the ranking. Its nursing education is closely associated with professional practice, technology and healthcare education across Victoria.
One of Deakin’s practical advantages is its range of campus locations. The university operates in Victoria, giving students options that can provide a different lifestyle from central Melbourne. Location matters for nursing because clinical placements can involve travel. You should investigate how the university allocates placements and whether you need to travel significant distances between campus, accommodation and healthcare facilities.
Deakin also gives international students another reason to look beyond the highest-ranked three universities. Nursing education isn’t simply about research citations or academic reputation. The quality of simulation, clinical teaching, student support and professional preparation can influence your actual experience. Those factors aren’t fully captured by QS. That’s why this article treats ranking as a starting point rather than the final decision.
There isn’t a reliable published Deakin nursing acceptance rate that can be compared directly with the 2025 rate. This is a recurring issue across Australian nursing education. Universities often publish entry scores or eligibility criteria rather than detailed applicant-to-offer statistics. Consequently, your application should be built around meeting the current published requirements rather than trying to reverse-engineer an unofficial acceptance percentage.
Deakin can therefore suit students who want a high-ranked nursing programme with a Victorian study environment. Before applying, check the current course structure, tuition, English requirements and approved-programme status. You should also investigate whether your intended post-graduation employment location has additional requirements beyond the national registration framework.
8. La Trobe University
La Trobe University ranks #42 globally for Nursing in QS 2026, matching its 2025 position. That stability is useful because not every university needs to climb rapidly to remain highly regarded. La Trobe’s unchanged position suggests a consistent result within the QS methodology. For applicants, the important question becomes what the programme offers beyond the ranking itself.
La Trobe has a long-established health education profile and offers nursing programmes in Victoria. Its location structure can be useful for students who want access to Melbourne while also considering regional study environments. For international students, regional and metropolitan differences can affect both living expenses and professional opportunities. You should examine the exact campus attached to your nursing course rather than assuming that all La Trobe nursing students have the same experience.
Clinical education remains central to the programme. Like other Australian nursing schools, La Trobe’s nursing courses need to align with the professional requirements governing Australian registered nurses. The national framework is administered through the NMBA and Ahpra, with ANMAC serving as the accreditation authority for nursing education. Before applying, check the approved-programmes database for the specific qualification.
Acceptance-rate information should again be treated carefully. La Trobe does not provide a simple public nursing acceptance percentage that allows a clean 2025-versus-2026 comparison. An unchanged QS ranking does not mean unchanged admission competitiveness either. The applicant pool can change even when the academic ranking remains identical. Your focus should therefore remain on the current academic and English-language requirements.
La Trobe is particularly worth researching if you’re comparing nursing universities across Victoria. You can place it alongside Melbourne and Monash while comparing course structure, tuition and location rather than assuming that the three universities offer identical routes. The ranking provides useful context, but your career goal should determine which details receive the most weight.
9. University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide ranks #50 globally for Nursing in QS 2026. That puts it exactly at the global top-50 boundary and makes it an important option for students who want a highly ranked nursing programme outside Australia’s largest east-coast cities. Adelaide also provides a different lifestyle and cost environment from Sydney and Melbourne, which can influence your overall study budget.
The University of Adelaide’s nursing education operates within South Australia’s healthcare environment. For an international student, this creates a useful alternative to the much more heavily marketed Sydney and Melbourne destinations. A less crowded international market can sometimes make a university feel different day to day, although the exact student experience depends on the programme and campus.
Professional registration should remain the central checkpoint. Ahpra’s approved-programme database is the authoritative place to verify whether a nursing qualification is approved for registration purposes. ANMAC is responsible for accrediting nursing and midwifery education programmes under the Australian regulatory framework. These checks should happen before you make any financial commitment.
The university does not provide a nursing acceptance rate that can be responsibly used as a 2025-to-2026 comparison. This is common across Australian universities. If you see a specific percentage online, ask what it measures. Is it all university applicants, all health applicants, domestic students, international students, or only people who met the minimum academic criteria? Without that context, the percentage has limited value.
Adelaide can therefore be a sensible part of an international student’s Australian nursing shortlist. Its global top-50 QS subject position gives you a strong academic signal, while its location provides an alternative to Australia’s most expensive major cities. The next step is to compare the exact Bachelor of Nursing requirements, tuition and clinical structure against your other shortlisted programmes.
10. University of Queensland
The University of Queensland (UQ) sits in the 51–100 global range for Nursing in QS 2026. UQ’s nursing position is therefore slightly different from the universities ranked with precise numbers above it. You shouldn’t describe UQ as #51 because QS reports the programme within a band. It remains, however, one of Australia’s globally recognised nursing institutions.
UQ’s Bachelor of Nursing is a particularly useful programme to examine because the university publishes detailed clinical information. The programme lasts three years and includes 880 hours of supervised clinical practice. Students can gain experience across hospitals and healthcare facilities, with potential exposure to rural, remote or international placements. That amount of published practical detail is valuable when you’re comparing programmes.
UQ also publishes clear international entry information. Its current programme listing shows an international tuition figure of about A$45,792 per year and lists English-language requirements including IELTS 7.0+, PTE 72+ and TOEFL 100+. Those figures are useful for preliminary budgeting, but you should always confirm the current official fee and admission requirements for your intake.
The university doesn’t publish a simple nursing acceptance rate that can be used to say, for example, that 30% of nursing applicants were admitted in 2026. Its programme page instead provides academic requirements and admission information. This is a better basis for an international applicant because your actual eligibility depends on the qualification you’re presenting, not merely the size of the applicant pool.
UQ therefore offers an interesting combination of a major research university, a globally recognised nursing subject ranking and substantial published clinical experience. Brisbane also provides a different lifestyle from Sydney and Melbourne. If you’re comparing Australian nursing schools primarily for international study, UQ deserves to be examined alongside UTS, Sydney, Monash and Griffith rather than being dismissed because its QS position is reported as a 51–100 band.
Nursing Acceptance Rates in Australia
Nursing acceptance rates in Australia are harder to compare than many international applicants expect. Most universities don’t publish a clean statistic showing applications, offers and enrolments specifically for their Bachelor of Nursing programme. Instead, they publish ATAR requirements, international qualification equivalents, English standards and course prerequisites. Those figures can show that a programme is academically competitive without giving you a mathematically valid acceptance percentage.
For example, the University of Melbourne says applicants to its Master of Nursing Science are encouraged to have a WAM of 65 or above. However, it explicitly warns that the WAM is only an indication and that meeting the requirement doesn’t guarantee entry. That tells you much more about admissions than a random website claiming that Melbourne nursing has a 17% acceptance rate. The applicant pool and selection process can change each year.
Monash provides another example. Its international course guide lists academic thresholds and identifies the Bachelor of Nursing as professionally accredited. But a threshold isn’t the same thing as an acceptance rate. A student who meets a published minimum may still face competition for available places. This distinction is particularly important for nursing because clinical education requires supervised practice capacity.
UTS also demonstrates the importance of reading the actual requirements. Its Bachelor of Nursing has specific English requirements aligned with nursing accreditation expectations. A student could therefore meet a general university English standard but still fail to meet the nursing-specific standard. That’s another reason why a simple acceptance percentage can hide the real admissions barrier.
For previous-year comparisons, rankings provide better evidence than invented acceptance rates. UTS moved from #26 to #16 in QS Nursing, Monash from #24 to #19, Griffith from #33 to #30, and Wollongong from #51 to #36. Those movements tell you about subject-ranking performance, not admissions probability. If a university doesn’t publish comparable nursing acceptance data for both years, the responsible approach is to say so rather than create a percentage.
Nursing Tuition Fees in Australia
Australian nursing tuition varies by university and programme. Current published programme information provides useful examples. UTS lists approximately A$46,710 per year for its international Bachelor of Nursing, while UQ lists approximately A$45,792 per year. Monash’s international guide lists nursing fees around A$41,100 per year for the referenced course guide period. These figures are useful for comparison, but they aren’t universal prices for every intake.
The University of Sydney and University of Melbourne illustrate why programme structure also matters. Sydney offers both undergraduate and graduate-entry nursing routes. Melbourne’s Master of Nursing Science takes two years for students entering with a previous degree. A student with a bachelor’s degree might therefore spend two years in graduate-entry nursing rather than three years in an undergraduate Bachelor of Nursing. The cheapest annual tuition isn’t necessarily the lowest total cost.
Living expenses can also change your budget dramatically. Sydney and Melbourne are major metropolitan areas with substantial accommodation markets. Brisbane, Adelaide, Wollongong and other cities offer different housing and transport patterns. Your accommodation choice can sometimes alter your annual spending by thousands of dollars. You should therefore calculate tuition and living costs together.
Clinical placement costs deserve attention too. Nursing students may need to travel to hospitals or other healthcare facilities. You may also need uniforms, shoes, equipment and compliance documentation. These expenses can vary by programme and placement arrangement. A university’s tuition figure therefore shouldn’t be treated as the entire cost of becoming a registered nurse.
Scholarships can reduce the financial burden, but you should verify them directly through the university. Sydney, UQ, Monash and other institutions offer different scholarship schemes, but eligibility can depend on nationality, academic performance, programme and intake. Don’t include a scholarship in your financial plan until you’ve confirmed that you’re eligible. A realistic budget should work even without a scholarship.
Nursing Registration in Australia
Graduating from a nursing programme and becoming a registered nurse are connected but separate steps. Ahpra states that graduates of approved programmes are qualified for registration, but graduates must still apply for registration and satisfy the remaining requirements. The NMBA sets registration standards that cover areas including criminal history, English language skills, continuing professional development, recency of practice and professional indemnity insurance. This is why checking professional approval before enrolling is so important.
ANMAC also plays a central role. Ahpra explains that the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council is the accreditation authority responsible for accrediting nursing and midwifery education providers and programmes. In practical terms, you should check that your specific course appears within the approved-programme system. Don’t rely only on a university’s general statement that it is “accredited.”
English language requirements are another major issue. Ahpra’s NMBA English-language information was updated in 2026, including changes to recognised pathways and approved testing arrangements. UTS and Melbourne also demonstrate how nursing programmes can require high English scores. You should therefore plan your English test early rather than treating it as a final visa document.
Internationally qualified nurses face additional rules. Ahpra maintains a specific registration standard for internationally qualified registered nurses. That pathway is different from entering Australia as an international student and completing an approved Australian nursing degree. If you’re already a qualified nurse in your home country, you should investigate the internationally qualified nurse pathway before deciding whether another Australian degree is necessary.
The safest approach is to treat Ahpra and the NMBA as your final professional authorities. University websites explain courses and admissions. Ahpra and the NMBA determine the professional registration framework. Immigration authorities determine visa eligibility. Keeping those three systems separate makes your planning much clearer.
Nursing Jobs in Australia After Graduation
Registered nursing remains a large occupation in Australia. Jobs and Skills Australia reports approximately 366,200 employed registered nurses and annual employment growth of about 12,600 in its latest occupation profile. The same profile reports median full-time earnings of A$2,192 per week, although earnings vary by experience, location, hours and employment setting. These figures provide useful labour-market context for prospective students.
Australia’s broader labour market has also experienced changes since the peak shortage period. Jobs and Skills Australia reported that the share of occupations experiencing shortage pressure declined from 36% in 2023 to 33% in 2024 and 29% in 2025. That doesn’t mean health occupations stopped experiencing shortages. The agency specifically notes that shortages remain in important areas, including health. The market is therefore changing rather than simply disappearing.
You should also avoid the common assumption that a nursing degree guarantees employment. Registration is essential. Employers can have additional requirements, and job availability varies between states, hospitals and nursing specialisations. Your clinical performance, communication skills and willingness to work in different settings can influence your employment options. International students also need the appropriate visa and work rights.
Location can affect opportunities. Jobs and Skills Australia’s data show that registered nurses are distributed across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, among other locations. That broad distribution means you shouldn’t assume that Sydney is the only viable employment market. Regional healthcare systems can also offer opportunities, although the exact conditions depend on the occupation, employer and current workforce demand.
The strongest approach is to treat labour demand as context rather than a promise. Australia clearly has a large nursing workforce and continuing demand pressures. But your individual outcome will depend on registration, skills, location, employer demand and immigration conditions. Research those factors before you choose your university.
Post-Study Work Options for Nursing Graduates
International nursing students should understand Australia’s Temporary Graduate visa before choosing a university. The Department of Home Affairs states that the Temporary Graduate visa, subclass 485, Post-Higher Education Work stream is available to eligible recent graduates of Australian institutions. For a standard bachelor’s degree, the current stay period listed by Home Affairs is two years, subject to the applicable eligibility rules and exceptions.
The visa isn’t automatic. Home Affairs lists conditions including age requirements, holding an eligible visa, having held a Student visa within the specified period, completing an eligible degree in a CRICOS-registered course and meeting English, health and character requirements. The department also states that applicants must be in Australia when they apply for this stream. You should check the official visa page before graduation because immigration rules can change.
Regional study can also have implications for post-study options. Home Affairs states that eligible graduates may potentially qualify for a second Post-Higher Education Work visa where the relevant study and residence conditions are met. This makes location an important factor for students comparing metropolitan universities with regional institutions. However, you should never choose a university solely because of a potential immigration benefit.
A graduate visa also doesn’t replace professional registration. You could have permission to remain and work temporarily while still needing NMBA registration to practise as a registered nurse. That’s why your plan needs to work on two tracks. One track is immigration. The other is professional registration.
Rules surrounding skilled migration can change as well. Occupation shortages are reviewed by Australian authorities, and visa programmes have their own eligibility criteria. Jobs and Skills Australia provides occupation-shortage information, but it doesn’t grant visas or guarantee permanent residency. Treat migration claims from education websites cautiously and verify current rules with Australia’s Department of Home Affairs.
How to Choose the Best Nursing School in Australia
Start with your intended nursing pathway. If you’re finishing secondary school, a three-year Bachelor of Nursing may be the most direct route. If you’ve already completed a bachelor’s degree, graduate-entry options such as the University of Melbourne’s Master of Nursing Science or Sydney’s Master of Nursing may make more sense. Your previous education can therefore change which universities belong on your shortlist.
Next, check professional approval. Use Ahpra’s official approved-programmes database rather than relying on a ranking article. Then check the NMBA registration standards and current English-language requirements. These checks should happen before you compare university rankings.
After that, compare clinical education. Look for the number of supervised hours, the variety of clinical settings and the timing of placements. UQ, for example, publishes 880 supervised clinical hours, while UTS says clinical learning begins during the first year. Those details can tell you more about your future daily experience than a five-place difference in QS ranking.
Then calculate the complete cost. Include tuition, accommodation, transport, food, health-related expenses, study materials and clinical requirements. Compare the total cost across at least three universities. You might find that a university with slightly higher tuition costs less overall because of lower accommodation expenses.
Finally, think beyond graduation. Ask where you want to work, which regulator will register you, what English standard you’ll need and what visa options apply after graduation. Australia’s 485 visa provides a temporary post-study work route for eligible graduates, but it isn’t permanent residency and doesn’t replace nursing registration. Planning backward from your career destination will help you choose a programme for more than its ranking.
Best Nursing Schools in Australia by Student Goal
| Student goal | Universities to research |
|---|---|
| Highest QS Nursing ranking in Australia | UTS |
| Top-20 global nursing ranking | UTS, Monash, Sydney |
| Graduate-entry nursing | Melbourne, Sydney |
| Strong clinical component | UQ, UTS, Griffith |
| Melbourne nursing options | Monash, Melbourne, Deakin, La Trobe |
| Sydney nursing options | UTS, Sydney |
| Brisbane/Queensland option | UQ, Griffith |
| Regional-city alternative | Wollongong |
| South Australia option | Adelaide |
| International student pathway | Check each programme’s current English, academic and visa requirements |
This table is designed as a shortlisting tool, not a universal ranking of which university is right for every student. A school-leaver and a graduate applicant may need completely different programmes. Likewise, someone planning to work in Queensland may care more about location and clinical placements than a student planning to return home after graduation.
2025 vs 2026: How Australia’s Nursing Rankings Changed
| University | QS Nursing 2025 | QS Nursing 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTS | #26 | #16 | Up 10 |
| Monash | #24 | =#19 | Up 5 |
| Sydney | =#19 | =#19 | Stable |
| Griffith | #33 | #30 | Up 3 |
| Wollongong | #51 | #36 | Up 15 |
| La Trobe | #42 | #42 | Stable |
| Melbourne | Top 50 | #29 | Remains top 50 |
| UQ | 51–100 | 51–100 | Same band |
The biggest movement among the clearly documented Australian universities is Wollongong, which moved from #51 to #36. UTS also made a substantial move from #26 to #16. These changes make the 2026 list meaningfully different from an older 2025 article.
However, ranking movement shouldn’t be confused with changes in acceptance rate. A university can rise in QS without becoming harder to enter. Likewise, a university can remain at the same QS position while its applicant pool becomes more competitive. Without comparable official application and offer data, there is no responsible way to calculate those changes.
This distinction is especially important for SEO articles because many pages online use “acceptance rate” as a generic measure of university quality. For nursing, that’s often the wrong statistic. Clinical capacity, academic prerequisites, English requirements and professional accreditation can matter more to an applicant than a university-wide acceptance percentage.
QS also measures subject-level standing rather than your personal admissions probability. A #16 nursing school isn’t necessarily easier or harder to enter than a #30 school. You need the individual programme’s requirements to answer that question.
For your application, use the 2026 ranking to build a shortlist, then use official university admission pages to assess eligibility. This two-step method is far more reliable than copying an acceptance rate from a commercial ranking website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best nursing schools in Australia in 2026?
The leading Australian nursing universities in QS 2026 include UTS (#16), Monash (=#19), Sydney (=#19), Melbourne (#29), Griffith (#30), Wollongong (#36), Deakin (#38), La Trobe (#42) and Adelaide (#50). UQ is in the 51–100 band.
Which university is ranked number one for nursing in Australia?
The University of Technology Sydney is the highest-ranked Australian university for Nursing in QS 2026, at #16 globally. The Australian Government’s Study Australia platform also identifies UTS as Australia’s highest-ranked university for nursing.
Did UTS improve its nursing ranking in 2026?
Yes. UTS moved from #26 in QS Nursing 2025 to #16 in QS Nursing 2026.
What is the nursing ranking of Monash University?
Monash is tied at #19 globally for Nursing in QS 2026, improving from #24 in 2025.
What is the nursing ranking of the University of Sydney?
The University of Sydney is tied at #19 globally for Nursing in QS 2026. Its position was also around #19 in the previous edition.
Does Australia publish nursing acceptance rates?
Australian universities generally don’t publish a standardized nursing-specific acceptance rate that can be compared across institutions. Entry scores and programme requirements are usually more useful.
What IELTS score do I need for nursing in Australia?
Requirements vary by university and registration pathway. UTS currently lists IELTS 7.0 overall for its Bachelor of Nursing, with specific component requirements. Melbourne’s Master of Nursing Science also lists IELTS 7.0 with no band below 7.0.
Is nursing in Australia professionally regulated?
Yes. Nursing is regulated nationally by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
How do I check whether an Australian nursing programme is approved?
Use Ahpra’s official Approved Programs of Study search tool. Ahpra states that graduates of approved programmes are qualified for registration, subject to meeting the remaining registration requirements.
How long is a Bachelor of Nursing in Australia?
Many Australian Bachelor of Nursing programmes take three years full time. UTS and UQ, for example, list three-year Bachelor of Nursing programmes.
Can I study nursing in Australia after completing another bachelor’s degree?
Yes. Graduate-entry routes exist. The University of Melbourne’s Master of Nursing Science is a two-year programme for applicants with an undergraduate degree or equivalent. Sydney also offers a Master of Nursing for students with a previous non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
How much does nursing cost in Australia for international students?
Fees vary. Current programme listings include approximately A$41,100 per year at Monash for the referenced course guide, A$45,792 at UQ and A$46,710 at UTS. Always verify the exact fee for your intake.
How many clinical hours do Australian nursing students complete?
The number varies by programme. UQ publishes 880 hours of supervised clinical practice for its Bachelor of Nursing. Other programmes have their own approved structures.
Can international students work after graduating from nursing in Australia?
Eligible graduates may apply for the Temporary Graduate visa, subclass 485, under the Post-Higher Education Work stream. Home Affairs currently lists two years for a standard bachelor’s degree, subject to the visa’s eligibility rules and exceptions.
Does a graduate visa guarantee permanent residency?
No. The Temporary Graduate visa is a temporary visa. Permanent migration has separate eligibility requirements and can change according to government policy, occupation rules and visa availability.
Are registered nurses in demand in Australia?
Registered nursing is a large occupation, with Jobs and Skills Australia reporting around 366,200 employed registered nurses and annual employment growth of approximately 12,600 in its latest profile. Health also remains among the areas experiencing labour-market shortage pressures.
Final Thoughts
The best nursing schools in Australia in 2026 span a broad range of universities and locations. UTS leads the Australian QS Nursing table at #16 globally, followed by Monash and Sydney at #19, Melbourne at #29, Griffith at #30 and Wollongong at #36. Deakin, La Trobe and Adelaide also rank inside the global top 50, while UQ remains in the 51–100 range.
The 2025-to-2026 changes are worth noting. UTS climbed 10 places, Wollongong climbed 15, Monash rose five, Griffith rose three and Sydney remained around #19. Those changes make current ranking data more useful than older listicles that still present 2024 or 2025 positions as current.
Still, your university decision shouldn’t stop at QS. Nursing is a regulated profession. Ahpra and the NMBA determine the professional framework, while ANMAC is responsible for accrediting nursing education programmes. Checking approval should therefore come before comparing small differences in global rankings.
Clinical education should be another major part of your decision. UQ’s 880 supervised clinical hours and UTS’s early placement model show the practical side of Australian nursing education. You should investigate where your placements occur, when they begin and how much travel they require. Those details can shape your education far more directly than a ranking number.
International students also need to plan around English, tuition and immigration. Nursing English requirements can be demanding, with UTS and Melbourne both publishing IELTS 7.0-level requirements for their relevant programmes. Eligible graduates may then have access to the Temporary Graduate visa’s Post-Higher Education Work stream, but that temporary visa doesn’t replace professional registration or guarantee permanent residency.
The Australian nursing workforce remains large and important. Jobs and Skills Australia reports hundreds of thousands of registered nurses and continuing employment growth, while its shortage research shows that health remains an important area of workforce pressure. That makes Australia a significant destination for nursing education, but your personal outcome still depends on your qualification, registration, clinical skills, English ability, visa status and employment strategy.
For most international applicants, the smartest way to build a shortlist is simple. Start with the QS Nursing ranking, then check professional approval, course structure, clinical training, entry requirements, English scores, tuition and total living costs. After that, examine the post-study work rules and the registration process. When you put those pieces together, you get a much clearer picture than any single best nursing school ranking can provide.
Authoritative External References
- QS World University Rankings by Subject: Nursing
- Study Australia — QS Subject Rankings 2026
- Ahpra — Approved Programs of Study
- Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia — Registration Standards
- Ahpra — Nursing Accreditation
- Jobs and Skills Australia — Registered Nurses
- Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Shortage List
- Australian Department of Home Affairs — Temporary Graduate Visa