Midwifery and Nursing Professionals

How to become a Registered Nurse

Official title: Registered Nurse (Acute Care)

Plans, coordinates and provides nursing care and services to people in a hospital setting or as part of a retrieval service.

Main tasks

Develops and implements nursing care plans to provide direct clinical care in a hospital setting
Assesses and monitors the condition of people, and prepares people for surgery or treatment
Administers and monitors medication and fluids
Assists with diagnostic tests and procedures, as well as interpreting test results and reports
Provides emotional support and comfort to people and their families
Educates people and their families about health conditions and treatment options
Maintains accurate and up-to-date records of patient information, including vital signs, medications and treatments
Responds to emergency situations, and provides immediate care and interventions
May operate and monitor specialised medical equipment such as ventilators and cardiac monitors

University: Nursing & Midwifery degrees, Offered by 34 universities in Australia
TAFE and VET: Advanced Diploma of Nursing (HLT64121); Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121)
Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.

Typical full-time pay: $113,984 a year
About 363,800 people work in this job group now, and about 458,600 are projected by 2035. (+26.1%)
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Ways in include: Nursing & Midwifery degrees; Advanced Diploma of Nursing; Diploma of Nursing.

Median full-time pay is $113,984 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 26% by 2035, from about 363,800 to about 458,600 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Usually. 92% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04