The Most In-Demand Healthcare Jobs in Australia—Full Breakdown
When people ask me about healthcare careers in Australia, the question is almost always the same: “Is Australia really a place where I can grow, settle, and build something meaningful… or is it all just hype?”
Fair question.
Here’s the simple truth—Australia desperately needs healthcare professionals, and the demand isn’t slowing down. The country is set to add nearly 249,500 new healthcare jobs by May 2026. That’s a massive shift, and it’s opening doors for people just like you.
But forget the numbers for a moment. What matters is whether you can thrive there—your family, your career, your future. And honestly? Australia checks far more boxes than most people expect.
Why Australia Makes Sense Right Now
Lots of countries claim they need healthcare workers. Australia goes beyond the claims—it invests. Big.
The government recently put in:
- $8.5 billion into Medicare
- $33.9 billion into public hospitals
These aren’t promises on paper. They show up in your day-to-day work—better equipment, improved staffing, safer patient ratios, smoother processes.
And then comes the lifestyle: beaches that genuinely look like postcards, a coffee culture people are weirdly passionate about, a strong school system, and a work culture that doesn’t glorify burnout. It’s not paradise, but it’s pretty close for many healthcare workers.
The Roles Australia Is Struggling to Fill
Eight out of ten healthcare roles are understaffed. Here’s what that means for different professionals:
1. Registered Nurses – Consistently in Demand
Australia expects to fall short by nearly 80,000 nurses by 2035.
Acute care, primary care, aged care—every area needs reinforcements.
Salary: $65,000–$95,000 AUD (plus incentives in regional areas)
A nurse I worked with from the Philippines once told me she was terrified of the registration process. Two months later, she was settled in Queensland, earning well, and walking to the beach every weekend. Her biggest issue? The sunshine. (Wear sunscreen—really.)
Requirements: ANMAC assessment, NMBA registration
2. General Practitioners – The Backbone of Communities
GPs in Australia often earn $150,000–$250,000 AUD, sometimes more if they run their own practice.
The government put $7.9 billion into making GP visits more accessible and added new training positions—200 in 2026, rising to 2,000 by 2028.
Regional GPs aren’t just doctors; they’re part of the community fabric.
Requirements: AMC exams, Medical Board registration, RACGP pathway
3. Mental Health Professionals – A Growing Need
Nearly 7.3 million Australians experience mental health challenges. Schools, hospitals, clinics, private practice—all need psychologists, counselors, and psychiatrists.
The country is preparing for a talent shortage by 2030, making your role more important than ever.
4. Aged Care Workers – Heart-Centered Work
Aged care needs 17,000 new workers every year for the next decade.
Recent pay rises changed the game:
- RN in aged care: +$22,000 annually
- ENs: +$19,000 annually
Salary: $50,000–$70,000
Requirement: Certificate III in Individual Support
This work is meaningful. You’re giving dignity and connection to people who need it most.
5. Allied Health – The Quiet Powerhouses
Physios, OTs, dietitians, speech therapists—the entire allied health sector grew 67% from 2013–2022. You can work in hospitals, schools, clinics, even sports settings. Work-life balance tends to be better here than many other healthcare roles.
Bonus: 400+ scholarships available for those willing to work in rural areas.
Physiotherapists are particularly in demand, with the Australian Physiotherapy Association reporting an average salary of A$95,405. Demand is being driven by an ageing population, rising chronic conditions like musculoskeletal and neurological issues, and increasing awareness of preventive care and rehabilitation. Regional and rural Australia requires physiotherapists more than ever, with positions outside metro zones offering quicker career development and relocation benefits.
Podiatrists are also experiencing strong job opportunities across both metropolitan and regional areas. The ageing population, increased focus on chronic disease management, diabetes-related foot complications, and expansion of community health services have created steady demand. Career pathways span private clinics, multidisciplinary practices, hospitals, aged-care facilities, NDIS-related services, and regional health networks. Podiatrists with AHPRA registration who are open to regional locations often find faster placement, higher salaries, and strong employer support, including visa sponsorship for eligible overseas candidates.
6. Medical Specialists – High Expertise, High Reward
Cardiology, neurology, oncology, anesthesiology—specialists can earn well over $300,000 with experience.
The assessment process takes time, but specialists are among the most valued professionals in the system.
7. Pharmacists – A Modern, Evolving Role
Pharmacists aren’t just dispensing medications anymore—they’re educators, chronic-disease supporters, and medication managers.
From January 2026, prescription prices drop nationwide, increasing accessibility and deepening the pharmacist’s role.
Salary: $75,000–$110,000
So… Why Australia Over the UK, US, or Canada?
After helping hundreds of healthcare workers relocate, here’s what stands out:
- Your qualifications are respected. No endless guesswork. Clear steps.
- Strong visa pathways for healthcare workers who want stability.
- Regional bonuses that offer more pay and faster PR.
- Real work-life balance. People actually go home on time.
- A multicultural society where newcomers integrate easily.
The Part No One Says Out Loud
Moving countries is never easy.
You’ll deal with paperwork, assessments, and a few moments where everything feels overwhelming.
But nearly every healthcare professional who’s moved to Australia tells me the same thing:
“It wasn’t easy… but it was the right decision.”
You’ll work with modern systems, supportive teams, and a culture that values quality care. That makes the hard days worth it.
What the Journey Looks Like
- Qualification Assessment
- Registration with the right board
- Visa Application
- Job Search
- Relocation
Five steps that look complicated—but don’t have to be.
That’s where Mates Health comes in. We’ve helped nurses, doctors, pharmacists, aged care workers, and mental health professionals transition smoothly—handling assessments, visas, job placement, and settlement support.
Think of us as your guide through the maze.
Ready to Explore Your Path?
If you’re still reading, something about Australia is pulling you.
A better career.
A better lifestyle.
A better future for your family.
WHO predicts a global shortage of 10 million health professionals by 2030. Australia will keep heavily recruiting through 2026 and beyond.
If you’re serious about exploring this path, let’s talk.
No pressure—just an honest conversation about your options.
Your skills matter.
Your experience is valuable.
Your future in Australia is achievable.
Contact Mates Health today.
The best time to start? Yesterday.
The next best time? Right now.
Your Australian healthcare future starts with a single conversation. Let Mates Health help you take that step.
