Melbourne, Australia is a thriving city with a robust healthcare system offering abundant opportunities for nurses and midwives to work in some of the country’s top hospitals and medical facilities. With competitive hourly pay ranging from $36.10 to $48.27, the city presents a lucrative opportunity for healthcare professionals from around the world.
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Additionally, visa sponsorships are available for qualified international candidates, making it easier to secure a job and relocate to Australia.
Why Melbourne is Ideal for Nurses and Midwives
Melbourne is renowned for its world-class healthcare facilities, modern infrastructure, and excellent work-life balance. As Australia faces an ongoing shortage of healthcare workers, the need for skilled nurses and midwives is growing, creating a wealth of opportunities for professionals looking to advance their careers.
The Australian government and healthcare providers are also extending visa sponsorships to qualified international applicants, easing the transition for those seeking to work abroad.
Key Responsibilities of Nurses and Midwives
1. Nurses
- Patient Care: Providing direct medical care, including administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and assisting with daily care activities.
- Collaborating with Medical Teams: Working with doctors, specialists, and other nurses to ensure comprehensive patient care.
- Record Keeping: Maintaining detailed patient records, treatment plans, and ongoing progress.
- Patient Education: Informing patients and their families about care plans, post-hospital care, and overall wellness strategies.
2. Midwives
- Prenatal Care: Monitoring the health of pregnant women and unborn babies, offering advice on prenatal health, nutrition, and childbirth preparation.
- Labor and Delivery: Assisting women during labor and childbirth, ensuring the health and safety of both mother and baby.
- Postnatal Support: Providing postpartum care to new mothers and newborns, offering guidance on breastfeeding, recovery, and infant care.
- Emergency Response: Handling any complications during pregnancy or delivery and providing necessary emergency care.
Visa Sponsorship Opportunities for Nurses and Midwives
Australia is actively seeking to address its healthcare workforce shortages through international recruitment. Many employers in Melbourne are offering visa sponsorships for overseas nurses and midwives. There are two primary visa pathways:
- Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482):
- Allows qualified healthcare professionals to work in Australia for up to four years.
- Provides a pathway to permanent residency.
- Requires sponsorship by an Australian employer.
- Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186):
- Provides permanent residency for skilled workers nominated by their employer.
- Applicants must be nominated for a job that is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), which includes nurses and midwives.
Both visa options come with the support of healthcare employers who sponsor workers based on skills and experience, making it easier for qualified professionals to migrate to Australia.
Required Qualifications and Skills
For Nurses:
- Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent qualification.
- AHPRA Registration (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency): All foreign-trained nurses must register with AHPRA.
- Experience: 1-2 years of clinical nursing experience is typically required.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification: Required for most nursing positions.
For Midwives:
- Bachelor of Midwifery or equivalent qualification.
- AHPRA Registration: Midwives must also be registered with AHPRA.
- Experience: Proven experience in antenatal, labor, and postnatal care.
- Advanced Communication Skills: Especially important for patient care and emotional support during childbirth.
Salary Expectations: $36.10 – $48.27 Per Hour
The salary for nurses and midwives in Melbourne ranges from $36.10 to $48.27 per hour, depending on qualifications, experience, and the type of healthcare facility. Entry-level positions tend to start at the lower end of the scale, while more experienced nurses and midwives in specialized fields can command higher wages. There may also be additional allowances for weekend or night shifts, increasing the overall earning potential.
Latest Job Openings in Melbourne
Here are some of the latest job listings for nurses and midwives in Melbourne:
- Registered Nurse (Acute Care)
- Pay: $38 per hour.
- Visa Sponsorship: Yes.
- Employer: A major public hospital in Melbourne.
- Experience Required: Minimum of 2 years in acute care settings.
- Midwife (Maternity Unit)
- Pay: $45 per hour.
- Visa Sponsorship: Yes.
- Employer: A leading maternity clinic.
- Experience Required: Proven experience in labor and delivery.
- Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
- Pay: $36.50 per hour.
- Visa Sponsorship: Yes.
- Employer: A well-established aged care facility.
- Experience Required: 1-2 years of experience in aged care.
How to Apply for Nursing and Midwifery Jobs in Melbourne
- Job Search Websites:
- Websites like Seek, Indeed, and HealthTimes list job openings in Melbourne for nurses and midwives, many of which offer visa sponsorship.
- Recruitment Agencies:
- Agencies such as Healthcare Australia and Bower Healthcare specialize in placing healthcare professionals, including international applicants, in Australian hospitals and clinics.
- Direct Hospital Applications:
- Many public and private hospitals in Melbourne, such as The Royal Melbourne Hospital and Monash Health, have careers pages where they list job opportunities, including positions open to international candidates with sponsorship.
- AHPRA Registration:
- Ensure your credentials are registered with AHPRA before applying for jobs, as this is a mandatory requirement for all healthcare professionals in Australia.
Melbourne offers a wealth of opportunities for nurses and midwives, with competitive pay rates ranging from $36.10 to $48.27 per hour and the added benefit of visa sponsorships.
With its world-class healthcare system and a strong demand for healthcare professionals, Melbourne is the perfect destination for international nurses and midwives looking to advance their careers.


