Deliver healthcare services remotely: a guide to becoming a telehealth nurse in Australia

Telehealth is transforming the way we deliver and receive healthcare by using information technology and telecommunications to provide health services remotely.

Prior to Covid-19, telehealth was not as widely adopted across Australia. According to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), between 2018 and 2019, Australia averaged 8.8 telehealth consultations per 1,000 people, well below other global leaders that averaged 72.2 consultations per 1,000 people over the same period.

When the pandemic hit, however, usage skyrocketed with the Australian Digital Health Agency reporting that between 2020 and 2022, more than 118 million telehealth services were delivered to 18 million patients.

Since then, telehealth has remained an integral part of healthcare in Australia. While in-person care is still the preferred choice, a report from the Medicare Benefits Schedule Advisory Committee highlighted telehealth’s importance, particularly in aged care, after-hours services and rural and remote communities.

If the idea of using technology to deliver healthcare remotely appeals to you, a role in telehealth nursing might be the right fit. Learn what it takes to become a telehealth nurse, responsibilities, areas of nursing that telehealth nurses can work in and more.

Telehealth landscape in Australia: a snapshot

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Telehealth continues to be a strong choice for many Australians. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 89.2 per cent of individuals who had a telehealth consultation between 2023 and 2024 said they would use it again if offered, up from 87.7 per cent in 2022 – 2023.

Older Australians and those with long-term health conditions were among the more likely to have a telehealth consultation, highlighting the role it plays in improving healthcare accessibility for those who may have limited mobility, complex care needs or require ongoing management of chronic conditions.

What is a telehealth nurse?

A telehealth nurse is a registered nurse who delivers patient care remotely using digital technologies such as video conferencing, phone consultations and secure digital messaging.

Similar to in-person care, telehealth nurses can assess health concerns, provide health education and develop individualised care plans. The key difference, however, is that this care is delivered virtually.

Due to the autonomous nature of the role, effective communication, sound clinical judgement and a commitment to upholding patient confidentiality and privacy are all essential qualities that telehealth nurses should possess.

How to become a telehealth nurse in Australia (step-by-step)

If you’d like to become a telehealth nurse in Australia, you’ll first need to complete a Bachelor of Nursing before applying for registration and building nursing experience. Thereafter, you can consider completing a postgraduate healthcare course and pursuing a nurse practitioner pathway before applying for telehealth nursing roles.

1. Complete a Bachelor of Nursing

If you’d like to pursue a career as a telehealth nurse, the first step is to build a strong foundation in nursing by completing a Bachelor of Nursing.

This degree equips you with essential nursing knowledge and gives you the opportunity to apply your skills during supervised placements. A Bachelor of Nursing usually takes three years of full-time study and once completed, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).

Already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field? If so, you can consider enrolling in a Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) course instead. This accelerated course can be completed in two years full-time and will equip you with the professional knowledge and skills required for a career in nursing.

2. Build nursing experience

Once you’ve completed your Bachelor of Nursing, the next step is to register with Ahpra and begin gaining practical experience. Many graduates choose to start with a graduate nurse program, which allows them to gain experience across different specialties. Others may prefer to step into roles in aged care and community health or explore opportunities in agency nursing or rural or remote healthcare.

This stage of your career is all about learning and growth, so focus on strengthening your clinical skills, building confidence and discovering which specialties interest you the most.

3. Complete a postgraduate nursing course

As telehealth nurses are required to work independently and make complex decisions about patient care remotely, many employers value nurses who have advanced their capabilities through postgraduate study.

Since many telehealth roles often focus on areas such as chronic disease management, mental health, acute care or aged care, pursuing further qualifications in these fields can be especially beneficial. Some courses to consider include:

Graduate Certificate in Aged Care at the University of the Sunshine Coast

This specialised graduate certificate will equip you with advanced knowledge and skills in aged care. As part of the course, you will complete two core units and choose from a range of electives such as Advanced Health Assessment and Assessment of Mental Health.

Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing at Southern Cross University

This course is delivered fully online and can be completed part-time in 16 months. It focuses on equipping you with practical skills you can apply immediately to your nursing practice and consists of units such as Acute Mental Health and Mental Health Across the Lifespan.

Master of Nursing (Chronic Disease and Ageing) at Victoria University

This two-year, part-time course is delivered completely online and includes specialisation units such as Ageing and Chronic Disease and Health and Wellbeing for the Older Person, along with core units such as Mental Health Nursing and Complex Care Coordination.

Master of Mental Health Nursing at Victoria University

This degree meets the education requirements for the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN) credential and can be completed in two years part-time. The course consists of 12 units, including core units such as Mental Health Nursing and Effective Trauma-Informed Care, as well as electives you can tailor to your interests.

Master of Advanced Nursing (Acute Care) at the University of Technology Sydney

Delivered online, this course can be completed in two years part-time. This comprehensive course is designed to strengthen areas such as decision-making, leadership and evidence-based nursing practice. You will also complete acute care specialisation units such as Nursing Sensitive Indicators in Acute Care and Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration.

4. Consider becoming a nurse practitioner

Many telehealth nursing jobs advertised are for nurse practitioners due to their high level of expertise and prescribing authority.

If you’re looking to become a nurse practitioner, you’ll need the equivalent of at least three years (5,000 hours) of advanced clinical nursing experience and completion of a Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) approved master’s course such as the Master of Advanced Nursing Practice (Nurse Practitioner) course at the University of Melbourne or the Master of Nurse Practitioner course at Queensland University of Technology.

5. Apply for telehealth nursing roles

Telehealth nursing roles are often advertised on job platforms such as SEEK and Indeed and on the career pages of healthcare, not-for-profit and government organisations.

While requirements vary depending on the position, they typically include at least three years of clinical experience, strong decision-making and communication skills and confidence in using digital platforms. When applying, make sure your nursing cover letter and resume clearly highlight these strengths to position yourself as a strong candidate.

What does a telehealth nurse do?

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While it can vary, common responsibilities of a telehealth nurse include:

• Using advanced clinical knowledge to triage and conduct patient assessments remotely
• Developing and implementing individualised care plans
• Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to deliver safe and high-quality care
• Referring patients to the appropriate healthcare pathways when further support is required
• Maintaining accurate and detailed records within digital health systems
• Prescribing medication (only applicable for nurse practitioner roles)

Telehealth nurse salary

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According to Jora, the average salary for a telehealth nurse in Australia is approximately $90,000 per year, though this is dependent on factors such as experience and the organisation you work for. This is roughly on par with the average salary of a registered nurse, which is about $88,000 per year.

Here is a breakdown of the average annual salaries for telehealth nurses across Australia from highest to lowest:

• Queensland: $100,000
• Victoria: $93,000
• New South Wales: $91,000
• Western Australia: $90,000
• Northern Territory: $90,000
• Australian Capital Territory: $90,000
• South Australia: $90,000
• Tasmania: $90,000

Where can telehealth nurses work?

Telehealth nursing is a versatile field with opportunities across areas such as aged care and mental health services. Some common areas where telehealth nurses can work include:

Not-for-profit organisations

Telehealth nurses can work with not-for-profit organisations such as Eating Disorders Victoria or Melanoma Patients Australia. In these roles, they may provide evidence-based information and resources, connect patients with relevant support services and offer practical strategies to aid patients in managing their condition.

Government organisations

Telehealth nurses can also work with government organisations such as the WA Country Health Service or government-funded services like Healthdirect. These organisations provide nurse-on-call hotlines, which allow patients to access immediate advice from a registered nurse at any time. In these roles, telehealth nurses will assess and triage incoming calls, offer clinical guidance and refer or transfer patients to appropriate healthcare services.

Emergency services

Telehealth nurses may also work with emergency services such as NSW Ambulance by assisting with secondary triage after an initial 000 call has been received. In these roles, telehealth nurses may help provide clinical advice to patients who do not require an ambulance, refer patients to the most appropriate care pathway or escalate cases that require urgent care.

Aged care providers

Telehealth nurses play an increasingly important role in aged care, with many providers now offering virtual nursing services to support older adults. Here, telehealth nurses provide high-quality integrated clinical support to help older individuals manage acute health issues and long-term health conditions. Responsibilities may include conducting nursing assessments, updating care plans, issuing e-scripts and providing health education.

Healthcare providers

Organisations such as Amplar Health and Healthcare Australia employ telehealth nurses to support patients seeking clinical advice and support. Telehealth nurses in these roles conduct triage, provide evidence-based health advice and, where appropriate, refer patients to external providers for further care.

Mental health services

Telehealth nurses can also work in mental health services and offer support, guidance and reassurance to individuals navigating emotional or psychological challenges. In these roles, telehealth nurses may listen to a patient’s concern, help them identify appropriate next steps and provide recommendations or referrals to ongoing mental health services.

Skills and qualities of a telehealth nurse

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Without the benefit of face-to-face interaction, telehealth nurses must be able to navigate the challenges that come with telehealth nursing.

Some of the key skills and qualities that telehealth nurses should possess include:

Solid clinical knowledge

Clinical competence is vital in telehealth nursing as telehealth nurses are often required to make informed decisions without direct supervision. Without the option to immediately seek a second opinion from their colleagues, they must be confident in their clinical judgement and assessment skills.

In addition, since telehealth nurses can’t physically examine patients, they must rely on strong clinical reasoning to build a clear mental picture based on what they’re hearing and seeing. This requires competency in asking the right questions, actively listening and piecing together information to determine the most appropriate course of action.

Clear and empathetic communication

Strong communication skills are imperative in telehealth nursing, especially since interactions take place virtually rather than face-to-face.

Without body language and in-person cues, telehealth nurses must rely on clear and empathetic verbal communication to build rapport and ensure patients feel heard and supported. For instance, if a patient sounds anxious over the phone, a telehealth nurse needs to listen attentively, acknowledge their concerns and provide reassurance while still gathering information about their overall condition.

Effective communication also extends to collaborating with other healthcare professionals. Telehealth nurses may liaise with general practitioners, specialists and allied health professionals remotely. In the absence of face-to-face handovers, communication needs to be clear, structured and concise to ensure that information is accurately conveyed.

Ethical and legal awareness

Telehealth nurses must understand the legal and ethical responsibilities that come with digital healthcare delivery, particularly when it comes to protecting patient privacy and confidentiality. This includes ensuring consultations take place in a private setting and using secure and encrypted communication platforms.

In addition, telehealth nurses are expected to uphold the highest ethical standards by complying with the NMBA code of conduct and the International Council of Nurses code of ethics.

Digital literacy

Technology is a core component of telehealth nursing, so it’s essential that telehealth nurses feel confident updating electronic health records and using telehealth platforms, customer relationship management (CRM) systems and other digital communication tools.

Proficiency in these systems allows nurses to provide high-quality care, maintain accurate records and communicate effectively. Being digitally savvy also means telehealth nurses can act as digital navigators for patients who may be less adept at technology.

Good time management

Telehealth nurses often manage a high volume of patient calls while also keeping up with clinical documentation and other administrative tasks. Being able to prioritise and manage time effectively is essential to ensure patients receive timely care.

Efficient time management also allows telehealth nurses to assess and triage cases promptly and maintain a smooth flow of service delivery throughout the day.

Adaptability

Without face-to-face contact or immediate in-person support, telehealth nurses must be able to think critically, act decisively and adjust quickly to changing circumstances. This might mean shifting from video to phone if a patient has poor internet connectivity or using visual aids if a patient is struggling to describe their symptoms clearly.

Is telehealth nursing the right path for you?

While telehealth nurses may not provide hands-on care, the role is still purposeful, dynamic and rewarding. You’ll encounter a diverse range of patient presentations, use your clinical judgement to make timely decisions and provide high-quality care, all from a remote setting.

Whether you’re looking for greater flexibility or a different way to apply your clinical skills, here are some key reasons why you might consider this growing area of healthcare:

You want a role that is less physically demanding

Telehealth nursing offers a way to continue delivering patient care without the physical strain that often comes with traditional nursing roles. Instead of long shifts on your feet and physically intensive tasks, most of your work is done while seated at a desk. For nurses looking to reduce their physical toll, are recovering from injury or simply seeking a more sustainable pace, this shift can be a welcome change.

You enjoy working autonomously

Telehealth nursing is often a solo endeavour as you’ll be working independently rather than working with other nurses in a unit. If you’re someone who enjoys face-to-face collaboration and being around others, the remote nature of telehealth nursing may feel isolating. However, if you value autonomy and enjoy managing your own caseload with minimal supervision, telehealth nursing may be a good fit.

You’re looking for flexibility

One of the major advantages of telehealth nursing is the flexibility it provides. Many roles allow nurses to work outside of traditional hospital rosters with options for part-time, casual or shift-based schedules that fit around other commitments. For nurses juggling family, study or other commitments, this flexibility can be a major drawcard.

You’re a confident and experienced nurse

As you’ll be triaging and assessing patients without the benefit of physical cues, it’s imperative that you’re confident in your clinical knowledge, able to act decisively and can communicate clearly and effectively.

Breadth of experience is also important due to the complexity and variety of patient presentations that arise in telehealth nursing. If you have at least three years of experience across different areas of practice such as aged care, acute care or mental health, you’re likely to excel in this field.

You’re comfortable working with technology

Telehealth nursing relies heavily on digital platforms, secure databases and video or phone consultations. In addition, not all patients will have stable internet or familiarity with digital tools. In those instances, you might need to troubleshoot technical issues or educate patients on using telehealth technology. If you’re confident using computer systems and can adapt to new technologies with ease, you may enjoy working in a telehealth nursing role.

You want to learn to build rapport with patients remotely

As a telehealth nurse, your interactions will take place through a screen or phone rather than face-to-face. Building rapport in this environment isn’t always as straightforward as it might be in person, so you’ll need to rely on your voice, tone, facial expressions and active listening skills to help patients feel supported and understood.

Simple actions like making eye contact with patients by looking directly into the camera, offering verbal affirmations while they speak or asking open-ended questions that encourage them to share more about their concerns can help create a sense of connection. Taking the time to understand a patient’s history, preferences and values also plays a vital role in personalising care and building trust from afar.

Jumpstart your career in telehealth nursing

Telehealth nursing can be a rewarding and flexible way for experienced nurses to stay in patient care while embracing a digital model of healthcare delivery.

If you’re interested in becoming a telehealth nurse, consider upskilling through a postgraduate nursing course. These courses can help strengthen your clinical decision-making, communication and digital health competencies. At GlobalHealth Education, you can choose from short courses (7 to 12 months) to longer courses spanning one to two years or two years and more.

Courses are also available in a range of other disciplines such as social work, midwifery, mental health, health leadership and public health.