Enrolled Nurse
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$135,200
Full-time annual
People employed
41,600
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Regional shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Provides nursing care to patients in a variety of health, aged care, mental health, welfare and community settings under the supervision of Registered Nurses.
Specialisations
Skills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Performs physical exams, including checking patients' pulse, temperature, and blood pressure
- Records and interprets clinical observations, including temperature, pulse and blood pressure, urine tests, blood glucose and other tests used in specific areas of practice
- Provides basic wound care in line with an agreed patient care plan
- Assists with the administration of medications under the supervision of a Registered Nurse
- Provides patients with personal care activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming and eating
- Provides first aid in medical emergencies
- Works with Registered Nurses, doctors and other Health Professionals to create patient care plans
- Participates in health promotion activities and community education
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
59%
Female rate
89%
Median age
43
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+11%
2,347 projected jobs
to 2035
+21%
4,703 projected jobs
WiseAffiliate linkMoving abroad to study?
Pay tuition and send money home at the real exchange rate with Wise.
Open a free Wise accountCredentials & Pathway
OSCA skill level 2
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Registration or licensing
Registration or licensing is required.
Official VET pathways
Diploma of Nursing
Occupation ready
Advanced Diploma of Nursing
Occupation ready
Related study options
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
145
ACT · May 2026
8
VIC · May 2026
202
NT · May 2026
4
SA · May 2026
137
NSW · May 2026
119
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Enrolled Nurse.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Gold Coast
996 estimated employed
- 1
Gold Coast
996 employed
QLD
+24.34%
year on year
- 2
Adelaide - North
785 employed
SA
+23.43%
year on year
- 3
Adelaide - South
675 employed
SA
+18.84%
year on year
- 4
Perth - South East
611 employed
WA
+7.57%
year on year
- 5
Ipswich
609 employed
QLD
+20.59%
year on year
AiraloAffiliate linkNeed a local eSIM when you arrive?
Stay connected from day one with an affordable Airalo eSIM — 200+ countries covered.
Get your eSIMPossible next career moves
Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
24,685
Moved in from another occupation
4,250
Moved to another occupation
2,550
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
5
points
- 2
5
points
- 3
5
points
- 4
4
points
- 5
4
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 441131
- Last updated
- 2026-01-23
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2025 Shortage List + ABS EEH May 2025
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Work profile, state distribution and education: JSA Occupation Profiles (ANZSCO mapped).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: verified.