Registered Nurse (Primary Health Care)
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$89,400
Full-time annual
People employed
5,500
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 in community settings (outside of a hospital), including primary care practices and general practice.
Specialisations
Scope note: Aged care registered nurses and mental health registered nurses are excluded from this occupation. Aged care registered nurses are included in Occupation 265433 Registered Nurse (Aged Care). Mental health registered nurses are included in Occupation 265434 Registered Nurse (Mental Health).
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Assesses the health needs of individuals, families and groups in the wider community
- Develops and implements nursing care plans based on individual needs and health goals
- Provides health guidance and education to individuals, families and groups
- Conducts health screenings and assessments to identify potential health issues
- Administers medications and treatments as prescribed
- Monitors and evaluates patient progress, and adjusts care plans as needed
- Maintains accurate and up-to-date patient records and documentation
- May provide acute care outside of a hospital setting
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
62%
Female rate
99%
Median age
47
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
Diploma of Nursing
Progression pathway
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 (Primary Health Care).
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
3,975
Moved in from another occupation
350
Moved to another occupation
300
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
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 265435
- 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.