Nursing is a career typically associated with the essential duties registered nurses perform, yet the field offers a much broader range of specialisations than you might think. As the demand for skilled employees in the healthcare sector continues to rise in Australia, so does the need for qualified professionals in specialised nursing roles.
As a nurse, you can profoundly impact people’s lives by providing care, comfort and support during their most vulnerable moments. Whether you work in paediatrics, education, mental health or another specialty, nursing offers a range of promising career paths that cater to various interests and skills.
In this article, we delve into the different types of nursing specialisations available in Australia, exploring the unique aspects of each role and the educational paths that can lead to a rewarding and fulfilling nursing career.
The different areas of nursing
Nursing in Australia encompasses a diverse range of levels and roles, each with specific responsibilities and educational requirements.
Registered nurses (RN) are at the forefront of patient care, offering a wide range of medical support and holistic healthcare in hospitals, clinics and educational settings. To become an RN, you must complete a Bachelor of Nursing and register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
Once you have worked as a registered nurse, you can explore more specialised roles and career options. These specialised roles offer several advantages, including the ability to focus on areas of nursing that align with your interests while expanding your expertise in specific aspects of nursing.
10 types of nursing roles
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Child and family health nurse
Child and family health nurses support the health and development of babies and young children through regular health assessments, early detection of issues and health education for parents. They refer families to specialists when needed, and coordinate with other healthcare providers and community services. These nurses conduct home visits, participate in community health programs, administer immunisations and promote preventive care. These nurses earn more than $85,000 a year or more with postgraduate qualifications. -
Aged-care nurse
Aged-care nurses focus on the health needs of elderly patients, providing compassionate care and managing complex health conditions. These professionals often work with palliative patients or those experiencing chronic disease and dementia, which can be challenging. They usually hold a Bachelor of Nursing and may pursue additional postgraduate qualifications in aged care. Salaries for aged-care nurses are around $90,000 per year. -
Midwife
Midwives provide specialised care and advice during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. This role requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in midwifery. Alternatively, RNs can complete a postgraduate course in midwifery. Midwives work in hospitals, birthing centres and the community, offering vital support and care during one of life’s most significant periods. They typically earn around $93,000 per year, depending on experience and their practice setting. -
Theatre nurse
Also called perioperative nurses, theatre nurses provide care to surgical patients. These nurses are RNs who work as part of the surgical team, supporting the anaesthetist, working as scrub nurses or assisting patients in recovering immediately after surgery. Theatre nurses often have to fulfil multiple roles, so they are highly skilled professionals. RNs can complete postgraduate qualifications to become theatre nurses, and these professionals earn an average of $95,000 a year. -
Paediatric nurse
These nurses provide care to children of all ages and work in neonatal wards in hospitals, and in clinics and private settings. Working with the community’s youngest patients and their families, paediatric nurses need good communication and interpersonal skills to manage sometimes difficult situations. RNs interested in working in paediatrics can gain postgraduate qualifications in paediatric nursing. In Australia, these nurses earn about $96,000 a year. -
Mental health nurse
Mental health nurses specialise in supporting individuals with mental health issues, from diagnosis to ongoing care and support. Because these nurses work with patients who are often experiencing distress, they need to have the skills to support psychological and emotional wellbeing. As such, the specialty requires postgraduate qualifications in mental health nursing. Working in mental health clinics and hospital settings, they earn around $98,000 per year. -
Clinical nurse
Clinical nurses specialise in specific areas of healthcare, enhancing their registered nursing skills through postgraduate study in a specialised nursing field. They primarily work in hospital specialist units such as cardiac care, oncology or paediatrics, offering expert care and consultation. To become a clinical nurse, you must have several years of experience and further education in your chosen specialty. The annual salary for clinical nurses in Australia can exceed $100,000 a year. -
Nurse educator
These professionals are responsible for training, educating and supporting nursing students. Nurse educators do not work with patients but rather students and other nurses who are seeking new skills. They must be skilled communicators and leaders who guide future nurses. Nurse educators earn around $120,000 a year and work in clinical and non-clinical settings such as universities, hospitals and community healthcare centres. -
Nurse unit manager
Nurse unit managers oversee the operations of nursing teams, ensuring efficient and effective patient care in hospitals, aged-care facilities and clinics. These highly skilled and organised nurses are typically RNs with further qualifications in management. With responsibilities that include scheduling, administrative and financial oversight and clinical leadership, nurse unit managers earn around $130,000 per year. -
Nurse practitioner
Nurse practitioners represent the pinnacle of nursing specialties, with the authority to diagnose conditions and prescribe medication. Achieving this qualification requires a master’s degree in nursing and significant clinical experience in a specialised area such as paediatrics. Nurse practitioners work in various environments, including hospitals, private practices and emergency care settings. They can also command salaries often exceeding $135,000 per year.
Choosing a nursing specialty
Selecting the right nursing specialty and educational course is crucial for achieving job satisfaction and aligning with career goals. Perinatal mental health nurse and former midwife Emma Sneglar, from EmPower Matresence, explains that undertaking postgraduate study is vital to solidifying the skills you learned at university and providing a solid foundation for your nursing career.
Sneglar advises being open to change, noting that the area you start your nursing career in may differ from where you find your passion. She explains that many professionals in the nursing workforce move roles after significant life changes, like starting a family.
“Many women move to areas with more regular hours after becoming mothers,” she explains. “Often outpatient clinics and community nursing are more compatible with raising a family.”
When it’s time to choose your specialty, following these tips can help you.
- Assess your interests and passions by reflecting on which areas of nursing appeal to you. Whether it’s the fast pace of emergency care, the holistic nature of community nursing or the relationship-focused nature of aged care, follow what calls you.
- Evaluate the job market by researching the demand for different nursing specialties in your area to identify those with greater job stability and growth potential. Take into account the specific registration requirements, cost of living, average salaries and career prospects in your home state or desired location.
- Explore the nursing course options offered by our reputable university partners. If you see something that interests you, select the course then click on the ‘enquire now’ button to speak with a Student Enrolment Advisor who can help you explore course curriculums and outcomes, assess your qualifications, and decide which course is right for you.
“The beauty of nursing lies in its flexibility,” says Sneglar, underscoring that choosing the right specialty can lay the groundwork for a fulfilling career that aligns with both your personal passions and professional aspirations.
Elevate your nursing career with a specialised postgraduate course
Postgraduate nursing courses allow nurses to specialise and advance their skills in specific healthcare areas. Unlike general nursing degrees that offer broad-based knowledge, specialised nursing courses focus on particular fields, preparing nurses for more advanced roles.
Our university partners offer various specialised courses focused on particular fields of interest, including:
Mental health:
- Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing - Victoria University
- Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing - Southern Cross University
- Master of Mental Health Nursing - Victoria University
- Master of Mental Health Nursing - Southern Cross University
Child and family health:
- Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health - University of Technology Sydney
- Graduate Certificate in Women's and Children's Health - University of Technology Sydney
- Master of Women's and Children's Health - University of Technology Sydney
Education:
- Graduate Certificate in Nursing Majoring in Education - James Cook University
Emergency care:
- Graduate Certificate in Critical Care - University of Technology Sydney
Advanced nursing:
- Master of Advanced Nursing Majoring in Quality & Safety - University of Technology Sydney
- Master of Advanced Nursing Majoring in Acute Care - University of Technology Sydney
- Master of Advanced Nursing Majoring in Chronic and Complex Care - University of Technology Sydney
Specialised postgraduate nursing courses are designed for existing nurses or those who have a nursing background and are registered as nurses or midwives.
Advance your nursing career today
The Australian healthcare system relies on many different types of nurses that extend beyond the traditional RN role. Our Student Enrolment Advisors are here to help you learn more about specialised nursing courses and careers.
Select a nursing course from one of our university partners and connect with an experienced Student Enrolment Advisor to help guide you on your nursing education journey.
