Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$89,400
Full-time annual
People employed
18,200
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Provides nursing care and services to people with mental health illness, disorder and dysfunction, and those experiencing emotional difficulties, distress and crisis in health, welfare and aged care facilities, correctional services and the community.
Specialisations
Skills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Assesses and monitors the mental health status of people
- Develops and implements individualised care plans for people with mental health issues
- Administers medications and treatments as prescribed by health care professionals
- Provides emotional support to people and their families
- Assists people in developing coping skills and managing their mental health conditions
- Educates people and their families about mental health conditions and treatment options
- Evaluates the effectiveness of interventions and adjusts care plans accordingly
- Documents patient information and maintains accurate medical records
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
37%
Female rate
72%
Median age
44
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+14%
49,716 projected jobs
to 2035
+26%
94,878 projected jobs
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OSCA skill level 1
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
Advanced Diploma of Nursing
Progression pathway
Related study options
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
1,449
ACT · May 2026
138
VIC · May 2026
1,619
NT · May 2026
139
SA · May 2026
692
NSW · May 2026
2,536
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Registered Nurse (Mental Health).
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Melbourne - South East
15,305 estimated employed
- 1
Melbourne - South East
15,305 employed
VIC
+13.35%
year on year
- 2
Melbourne - West
12,637 employed
VIC
+3.99%
year on year
- 3
Melbourne - North East
12,188 employed
VIC
+6.45%
year on year
- 4
Gold Coast
11,782 employed
QLD
+0.74%
year on year
- 5
Perth - North West
10,170 employed
WA
+2.03%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
14,815
Moved in from another occupation
1,745
Moved to another occupation
930
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
5
points
- 2
4
points
- 3
4
points
- 4
4
points
- 5
4
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 265434
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
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: estimate.