Healthcare Jobs in Australia with Visa Sponsorship

Looking for healthcare jobs in Australia with visa sponsorship?

Why Australia is a top destination for healthcare professionals

• High salaries and strong benefits
• Clear visa pathways for skilled workers
• Nationwide shortage of clinicians and allied health staff
• World-class public and private health systems
• Diverse locations: bustling metro hospitals and lifestyle regional centers

High Paying Healthcare roles with strong sponsorship demand

1. Registered Nurses (RN)

• Specialties in demand: ICU, ED, perioperative, mental health, aged care, midwifery, oncology
• Typical salary: AUD 75,000–120,000+ plus penalties and shift loadings
• Employers: public hospitals, private hospitals, aged care providers, community health
• Why high CPC: nursing keywords attract advertisers in recruitment, education, insurance, and telehealth

2. General Practitioners (GP) and Primary Care Physicians

• Salary/earnings: AUD 250,000–400,000+ (mixed/bulk billing, rural incentives)
• Demand: metro shortages, especially strong in regional/Distribution Priority Areas
• Why high CPC: medical billing, practice technology, malpractice insurance, and telehealth ads

3. Medical Specialists

• In-demand areas: psychiatry, emergency medicine, anesthetics, general medicine, radiology, obstetrics & gynecology
• Earnings: AUD 250,000–600,000+ depending on specialty and location
• Sponsorship: hospitals, health services, and specialist clinics

4. Allied Health Professionals

• Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, radiographers/sonographers, speech pathologists, psychologists, dietitians
• Salaries: AUD 70,000–140,000+
• Sectors: hospitals, NDIS providers, rehabilitation, aged care, private practice

5. Aged Care and Disability Support (NDIS)

• Roles: registered nurses, enrolled nurses, support workers, care coordinators
• Salaries: AUD 55,000–95,000+; RNs more
• Big demand across regional and metro areas

6. Health IT and Digital Health

• Roles: clinical informatics, health data analysts, EMR/EHR implementation, cybersecurity in healthcare
• Salaries: AUD 90,000–160,000+
• High CPC drivers: software, cloud, cybersecurity, analytics platforms

7. Mental Health Professionals

• Psychiatrists, mental health nurses, clinical psychologists, social workers
• Salaries: AUD 80,000–400,000+ (role-dependent)
• Critical shortage nationally

Visa options for healthcare workers in Australia

• Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482)
  • Path: employer sponsorship for medium/long-term occupations
  • Stay: up to 4 years, with pathways to permanent residency for eligible roles
  • Best for: nurses, doctors, allied health on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) visa (subclass 494)
  • Regional sponsorship with PR pathway via subclass 191
  • Incentives and faster opportunities in regional hospitals and clinics
• Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186)
  • Permanent residency via employer nomination
  • Direct Entry or Temporary Residence Transition from 482
• Skilled Independent/State Nominated (subclass 189/190/491)
  • Points-tested visas for qualified applicants; some states prioritize healthcare occupations
  • 491 is regional and can lead to PR
• Doctors and AHPRA pathway
  • Medical practitioners can access specific registration pathways; many employers sponsor and support registration steps

Registration and licensing

• AHPRA: Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency oversees national boards
• Nurses: NMBA registration, English proficiency (IELTS/OET), skills assessment (ANMAC for migration)
• Doctors: AMC exams or competent authority pathways, specialist college assessments, limited/specialist registration
• Allied Health: relevant national boards (e.g., Psychology Board, Medical Radiation Practice Board, Physiotherapy Board)
• Background checks: international criminal checks, immunization compliance, working with children checks where applicable

Top Australian cities and regions hiring now

• New South Wales: Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, regional hubs (Tamworth, Wagga Wagga)
• Victoria: Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo
• Queensland: Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Cairns
• Western Australia: Perth, Bunbury, Pilbara and Kimberley regional incentives
• South Australia: Adelaide, Mount Gambier, Whyalla
• Tasmania: Hobart, Launceston
• ACT & NT: Canberra health services; Darwin and Alice Springs offer strong rural/remote packages

Salary snapshots by role (indicative)

• RN (experienced, metro): AUD 90,000–115,000 base + penalties
• ICU/ED RN: up to AUD 120,000+ with loadings
• Midwife: AUD 85,000–115,000
• Physiotherapist: AUD 75,000–110,000
• Sonographer/Radiographer: AUD 95,000–150,000
• Psychologist (clinical): AUD 95,000–140,000
• GP: AUD 250,000–400,000+
• Psychiatrist: AUD 300,000–500,000+

Benefits employers may offer with sponsorship

• Visa nomination and government fees assistance
• Relocation allowance and temporary accommodation
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD) budgets
• Sign-on bonuses and retention bonuses
• Rural loading, housing assistance, and return flights in remote areas
• Flexible rosters, paid parental leave, and salary packaging (in not-for-profit hospitals)

How to secure a sponsored healthcare job: step-by-step

1. Confirm eligibility and registration

• Match your occupation to Australia’s skills list
• Start your AHPRA registration or skills assessment early
• Prepare English test results (IELTS/OET/PTE) if required

2. Create an Australian-style resume and cover letter

• Clear summary, registration status, visa preference, availability
• Quantify achievements: patient ratios, case volumes, outcomes, leadership, audits, quality improvement projects
• Include referees reachable during Australian business hours

3. Target employers that sponsor

• Public health networks: NSW Health, Queensland Health, SA Health, WA Health, VIC Health services
• Private providers: Ramsay Health Care, Healthscope, St John of God, Bupa Aged Care, Estia, Regis
• Regional GP clinics and Primary Health Networks for DPA positions

4. Use high-impact job boards

• Seek, Indeed, CareerOne, LinkedIn Jobs
• Health-specific portals: HealthcareLink, AusDocJobs, RANZCP, RANZCOG, RANZCR, ANMF listings
• Set alerts for “visa sponsorship,” “482,” “relocation,” “international applicants welcome”

5. Interview and offer

• Be ready to discuss clinical scenarios, standards, medication safety, infection control, documentation, and patient-centered care
• Ask about visa subclass, nomination timelines, relocation, supervision plans, and CPD

6. Finalize visa and move

• Gather certified documents, medicals, police checks
• Arrange temporary housing near your facility
• Book mandatory inductions and orientation

Tips to boost your chances

• Consider regional roles first for faster sponsorship and PR pathways
• Add in-demand certifications: ALS/ACLS, PALS, IV cannulation, triage, peri-op courses, mental health training
• Highlight digital skills: EMR/EHR systems (Cerner, Epic), telehealth, health data privacy
• Show vaccination and infection control compliance upfront
• Join professional bodies (ACN, AMA, APS, APA) and attend webinars for networking

Common employer requirements

• Recent clinical experience: typically 1–3 years post-qualification
• Evidence-based practice knowledge and CPD log
• Strong references from current or recent supervisors
• English proficiency at required scores
• Willingness to work shifts, weekends, or rural rotations where applicable

Frequently asked questions about visa-sponsored healthcare jobs

• Can new graduates get sponsorship?
  • Possible but rare; most sponsors prefer 1–2 years’ experience. Regional employers may be more flexible.
• Do I need AHPRA before applying?
  • Many employers interview first but will make offers conditional on registration. Start early to avoid delays.
• Is there a pathway to permanent residency?
  • Yes. Many healthcare roles on the medium/long-term list can move from 482 to 186 (ENS) or via regional 494 to 191.
• How long does the process take?
  • 2–6 months on average, depending on registration, skills assessment, and visa processing times.

Final thoughts

Healthcare jobs in Australia with visa sponsorship are abundant across nursing, medicine, allied health, and mental health. With the right registration steps, an Australian-style resume, and a focus on regional opportunities, you can secure a high-paying role and a long-term pathway to permanent residency. Start now, target employers that actively sponsor, and position your skills where demand is highest.