Top 5 healthcare and nursing jobs in Australia with longer post-study work visas

If you’ve always wanted to help others or become a registered nurse in Australia, a career in health and medicine could very well be your calling! This noble profession will allow you to positively impact the lives of others in Australia and make a difference in the world.

In this fast and evolving field, there’s now a larger need for more healthcare professionals to help meet the increasing global demand.

About 1 in 7 people in Australia’s workforce are in the healthcare and social assistance sector, making it one of the country’s biggest employers.

In 2021, over 1.8 million people were employed in this sector with a projected increase to 2 million by 2025. This underscores the opportunity that awaits you Down Under!

Why pursue a healthcare career in Australia

For anyone planning to study abroad in Australia, there are policies designed to let you work and establish your career in the country after graduation.

As of July 2023, the government has exteded post-studty work rights for international graduates with eligible qualifications, to address a shortage of skilled workers in areas such as education, technology, healthcare and agriculture.

The change includes:

• Selected bachelor’s degrees (extended to 4 years, up from 2 years)
• Selected master’s degrees (extended to 5 years, up from 3 years)
• All doctoral degrees (extended to 6 years, up from 4 years)

If you are an international student looking to launch a career Down Under, this is great news because it translates to more opportunities to accumulate valuable work experience in Australia.

Read on for some of the most in-demand jobs in healthcare that can allow you to work longer in Australia after your studies.

5 healthcare careers to capitalise on Australia’s post-study work rights

1. Nurses

There are many job openings for nursing in Australia as the demand continues to grow with the country’s aging population and healthcare needs.

As a nurse in Australia, your key responsibility would be to provide care and support for patients who require medical treatment. Depending on what you choose to specialise in or pursue for work, you can be a nurse in an emergency room, operating room, school or even work in the mental health space.

Average annual salary: AU$82,000 

Career designation: Nurse Practitioner (ANZSCO code 254411)

2. Orthotist / prosthetist

Looking for a career that combines technology with healthcare? As an orthotist, your key responsibilities will be to work with devices designed to assist patients with general mobility and movement to either assist or replace a part of the body that has a partial or total absence of a limb or musculoskeletal disabilities.

On top of examining and evaluating each patient’s specific needs, you’ll be expected to monitor patient progress and make necessary adjustments to ensure proper fit, function and quality of appliance.

Average salary: AU$97,000

Career designation: Orthotist or Prosthetist (ANZSCO code 251912)

3. Occupational therapist

If you like to help people by improving their well-being after illnesses or injuries, being an occupational therapist might just be the healthcare career for you.

As a therapist, you will help to evaluate and treat patients with illnesses, disabilities or injuries.

By helping these patients with health and well-being requirements, you will help them to better develop, recover, improve and maintain their skills to engage in everyday activities.

There’s no doubt that this is an important job around the world, and Australia in particular has been lacking professional, trained occupational therapists, which is why the country seeks out foreign talent to fill job vacancies in this area.

Average annual salary: AU$91,000

Career Designation: Occupational Therapist (ANZSCO code 252411)

4. Physiotherapist

As a physiotherapist, you will help support patients at all stages of life to recover from injury as well as regain mobility, function and independence through assessments, individualised treatments and manual therapy.

Opportunities for physiotherapist jobs in Australia are abundant across both the private and public sectors, allowing you to craft a career that you desire.

Average salary: AU$92,000

Career designation: Physiotherapist (ANZSCO code 252511)

5. Podiatrist

As a podiatrist in Australia, you will be dealing with conditions related to the foot and associated lower limb, podiatrists assess, treat and give advice to patients when it comes to managing and recovering from conditions related to the lower extremity.

Additionally, you will have flexibility in how you want to practice your skills and grow your career in Australia.

You can expect to work in both public and private sectors in a variety of places including clinics, hospitals as well as community and residential aged care settings.

Average salary: AU$92,000

Career designation: Podiatrist (ANZSCO code 252611)

Pursue your dream career in healthcare and nursing in Australia

If you are intending to work in the healthcare sector, it’s time to consider Australia!

Your skills would be in high demand plus the added benefit of being able to work longer in the country.

Ready to embark on your study adventure? We can help!

At IDP, we have a team of experienced educational counsellors who can guide you with tailored advice according to your individual needs and preferences so that you pick the best course that enables you to pursue your dream career.

Apart from that, you’ll get support and assistance throughout your entire application process.

Get started with a free counselling session today. Enquire with us or hit the message button to drop us a question!