What Is a Travel Nurse? Salary & Perks of Travel Nursing in Australia

Hello AHP • March 17, 2025

What is a Travel Nurse?

A travel nurse is a qualified nurse taking a series of short-term jobs in a range of medical environments to fill gaps in a region, state, or country. Assignments range in duration, such as short-term contracts in inner city hospitals to long-term positions in rural and remote medical centres. Travel nursing allows medical professionals to combine their expertise with an urge for exploration, working in new environments and gaining a range of clinical experiences.


Why Travel Nursing in Australia?

Travel nursing offers an opportunity to see parts of Australia while building your career. Perhaps your motivation is enhancing your expertise, increasing your salary, or simply enjoying a change of scenery – whatever your motivation, a career in travel nursing is a dynamic and rewarding career path.


An older woman discussing with a travel nurse outdoors

Travel Nurse Australia Salary: How Much Can I Earn?

The best part about becoming an Australian travel nurse is, of course,the salary, with an average salary of $104,475 per year, according to Indeed. That being said, the actual travel nurse Australia salary can depend on a range of factors, such as:


  • Location – Rural and remote regions often pay a little extra.
  • Experience – Senior workers can bargain for a better level of pay.
  • Specialisation – Nurses in high-priority specialties, such as critical care, emergency nursing, earn a little higher.
  • Employer and Contracts – Salary can vary according to whether you work for a private organisation, public institution, or non-profit organisation.
  • Shift Work and Overtime – Additional earnings can come from over-time, weekend, and night shifts.


Travel Nurse Australia Salary Perks

Salary is a significant consideration, but travel nurses have additional incentives too that enhance overall compensation package:


  • Paid Accommodation – Most travel nursing jobs have free or sponsored accommodation.
  • Travel Reimbursements – Agencies cover work-related travel expenses.
  • Flexibility Schedules for Work – Select assignments in terms of your career and life goals.
  • Careers Growth – Exposure to many environments in many settings helps to develop your skillset and resume.
  • Work-Life Balance – Having room for a break between job contracts grant independence over permanent nursing jobs.


Portrait of a traveling nurse standing outside

How to become an Australian Travel Nurse

To become an Australian travel nurse, follow these important tips below:


1. Meet Qualification Requirements

To become an Australian nurse and enjoy the travel nurse Australia salary, one will need:

  • A qualification in a Bachelor of Nursing equivalent.
  • Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) through AHPRA.
  • A minimum two years clinical experience in nursing.


2. Get Necessary Skills

Aside from clinical skills, a strong soft skillset is a must for an Australian travel nurse in terms of fitting into new environments. Some of them include:

  • Communication – Communication with patients, workmates, and medical teams.
  • Flexibility – Quick adaptability in new work environments, processes, and patients demographics.
  • Organisation & Time Management – Handling many jobs and prioritising.
  • Teamwork – Efficient collaboration with many workers in varied healthcare environments.


3. Get Experience

The minimum two years worth of experience in nursing is a general requirement for most nursing agencies for a position in a travel nursing role. Having work experience in many environments in advance will build confidence and skillset for these shorter-term jobs.


4. Get a Partnership with a Nursing Agency

A reliable recruitment agency for medical professionals, such as AHP Careers, takes care of getting a job for you and securing a top role in a travel nursing role in any region of Australia. This includes negotiations with employers and arrangement of accommodation and expenses for work.


Apply for
Travel Nursing Jobs now. 


Travel nursing in Australia: What to Expect

Work Assignments and Locations

Travel nursing placements can range between two and 26 weeks, with four to six weeks of an average duration. Nurses can work in:


  • Public and Private Hospitals 
  • Aged Care Facilities
  • Community centres
  • Remote and Rural Clinics


Lifestyle and Personal Development

Travel nursing entails opportunities of working in new and challenging settings, and new cultures. You’ll get the chance to work with patients from various backgrounds and enjoy Australia’s stunning landscapes, from coastal towns to outback communities.


Is Travel Nursing for Me?

Are you a registered nurse in search of an adventure, career development, and financial reward? Travel nursing can be your perfect career opportunity. With higher salary, accommodation allowance, and flexible work, it's a perfect alternative to conventional nursing.


Begin your career in travel nursing with AHP Careers, the top Nursing Jobs Recruiter.


AHP Careers unites healthcare professionals and high-class travel nursing jobs in Australia. Whether you desire a short-term contract or a long-term role, our experienced professionals will obtain your perfect role.


For more information, contact us with
1800 247 677 today. 

View and apply to current Travel Nursing Jobs at our website.



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