Healthcare & Nursing Hub

Healthcare careers: the complete Australian guide

Healthcare is one of the country’s biggest employing industries. Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) reports it employed about 2.36 million people in August 2025 (around 16% of the workforce), with employment up year on year.

Working in healthcare can offer steady demand and real progression from support roles to specialist practice. This guide breaks down how the sector is structured, the types of roles available and what to expect when building a long-term career in Australian healthcare.

Overview of the health sector in Australia

Australia’s health sector spans hospitals, medical and diagnostic services, allied health, residential aged care and child care. Employment here has grown significantly in the past year, reflecting sustained demand for care across settings.

Key trends include demand growth driven by population ageing, continued expansion in service-based roles and tight labour supply. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) notes more than four in five health professional occupations were in shortage in 2023, which is why employers prioritise job-ready skills and credentials. This is driving investment in community care and multidisciplinary ways of working.

Digital health is also reshaping how care is delivered and where jobs are growing. The government highlights the importance of digital information and modern communication tools across the health system, alongside national initiatives like electronic prescribing. As a result, digital literacy is becoming a practical advantage in many roles.

Common healthcare careers in Australia

Healthcare offers a wide range of roles across clinical, support and specialist settings, making it accessible for many skills, backgrounds and career goals.

• Assistant in nursing (AIN)

Nursing assistants support patients with daily care needs under supervision. The role includes personal care, mobility assistance and basic observations. AIN roles are often an entry point into working in healthcare.

• Enrolled nurse (EN)

Enrolled nurses provide hands-on clinical care under the direction of registered nurses. They administer medications, support patient care plans and document observations. EN roles exist in hospitals, aged care, mental health and community services.

• Registered nurse (RN)

Registered nurses deliver and coordinate patient care with high autonomy and accountability. Australian nursing jobs represent one of the country’s largest clinical workforces, with JSA estimating about 362,900 RNs employed nationwide.

• Allied health and health support roles

Allied health careers span physiotherapy, occupational therapy, pathology, radiography and support roles like medical receptionists and therapy assistants. These roles focus on assessment, rehabilitation, coordination and service delivery.

See all healthcare roles and descriptions.

Healthcare salaries and rates

In Australia, healthcare pay is governed by awards and enterprise agreements. For nurses, the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034) sets the private sector baseline, while public hospital RNs are usually paid under state or territory enterprise agreements. Support roles and allied health careers commonly fall under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award (MA000027).

Per market data, the average pay for healthcare and medical jobs is around $123,000 per year, with entry-level roles from about $28,000 and experienced roles up to $350,000+. This range reflects diversity in the sector, from support and administration through to specialist clinicians and leadership positions.

See CareerOne’s healthcare salary guide for more insights.

How to start a career in healthcare

Working in healthcare usually begins in entry-level support roles like nursing assistant or health services assistant. These positions often require short certificates, such as a Certificate II in Health Support Services, and provide paid, on-the-job exposure to clinical environments.

From there, progression moves to a Diploma of Nursing, which qualifies you to work as an EN across care settings. The next step is a Bachelor of Nursing that opens pathways into RN roles with greater autonomy and specialisation. With experience and further study, Australian nursing jobs progress into advanced practice, education or leadership.

View our full healthcare career pathways guide.

Essential skills & qualifications

Healthcare employers look for a mix of mandatory credentials and practical capability. Required tickets may include current registration, clearances, vaccinations and role-specific certificates, depending on the setting.

Alongside this, soft skills like communication, empathy and sound judgement matter because they affect safety and patient experience.

See our healthcare skills guide.

Let the right healthcare job find you

Healthcare careers in Australia offer stability, purpose and room to grow, but finding the right role often hinges on timing as much as effort. You don’t always want to be actively applying, yet you want opportunities aligned with your experience to come your way.

CareerOne helps by putting you forward to relevant employers automatically when you’re in the market. As your skills, interests and availability evolve, your profile stays current and visible to hiring teams. That means less time searching and more time considering roles that actually fit, whether you’re exploring nursing jobs in Australia or broader allied health careers.

When you’re ready to make a move, explore CareerOne’s healthcare job vacancies today.