Public vs Private Healthcare in Australia
How Nursing in Australia Is Actually Structured: Public vs Private, Hospitals vs Community, and What That Means for You
If you’re a registered nurse working in the UK and dreaming of a better work-life balance, fairer patient ratios, or even just a sunnier climate, chances are you’ve started looking into nursing opportunities in Australia. But before you start applying for jobs or planning your move, it’s critical to understand how nursing in Australia is actually structured. This blog will help you get clear on the system you’re stepping into—so you can make informed decisions and plan the right migration strategy.
🏥 Public vs Private Healthcare in Australia
Australia has a dual healthcare system made up of public and private providers. Both employ nurses—but the structure, pay, and flexibility can vary.
Public hospitals are run by state and territory governments and are the largest employers of nurses. Nurses in public facilities are usually employed under government enterprise agreements, which means standardised conditions across hospitals in the same state—this includes wages, shift loadings, penalties, and entitlements like leave.
Private hospitals and clinics are funded through private health insurance, direct payments, and some government subsidies. They tend to offer more flexibility in terms of hours and may provide faster access to elective procedures, but pay rates can vary significantly between employers.
What this means for you:
Public jobs are more common and offer predictable conditions, especially for newly arrived international nurses.
Private roles may require prior Australian experience, but can offer more flexibility once you’re settled.
🧭 Federal vs State Systems: Who Do You Work For?
Australia’s healthcare system is state-managed, meaning that your employment conditions will be determined by the state or territory where you’re working—not the federal government. Each state has its own health department and enterprise agreements.
For example:
In New South Wales, you’re employed by NSW Health.
In Victoria, it’s the Department of Health Victoria.
In Queensland, nurses may work for Queensland Health or hospital and health services under its umbrella.
What this means for you:
Your pay, benefits, and even nurse-to-patient ratios can vary from state to state.
When applying for visas and planning migration, knowing which state you want to live and work in can help tailor your strategy—for example, when applying for state nomination under a subclass 190 or 491 visa.
🧑⚕️ Hospitals vs Community Nursing
Most international nurses picture themselves working in hospitals, but Australia also has a growing demand in community and aged care settings.
Hospital nursing in Australia is split into public and private sectors, with many opportunities in medical/surgical, critical care, ED, maternity, mental health, and theatre.
Community nursing involves delivering care in the home or local clinics. It’s in high demand in regional areas and often includes chronic disease management, wound care, and post-acute support.
Aged care is a massive part of the sector due to Australia’s ageing population. Many roles here involve medication administration, clinical assessments, and team leadership.
What this means for you:
You’re not limited to hospitals. Understanding the breadth of settings can help you target the right jobs, meet sponsorship criteria, or maximise your skills assessment points.
Community and aged care roles may also be more accessible to nurses with a diploma or varied clinical background.
💡 Key Takeaways for Migrating Nurses
Start with the state: Each has its own health workforce needs and nomination requirements.
Be flexible in where you work: Don’t overlook community and aged care—these areas are growing fast and often offer sponsorship.
Understand public vs private: Public systems are great starting points. Private may suit you better later on.
At SOLVi Migration, we help nurses build the right legal and registration strategy based on where and how they want to work in Australia. Understanding the structure is step one—getting registered and visa-ready is next.
This article is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For tailored migration guidance, book a consultation with our legal team.
Ready to make your Australian dream a reality? Let SOLVi Migration guide you every step of the way. Get in touch with us today and let’s get started!
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