Registration
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, through Ahpra
Source: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (retrieved 6 October 2026)
Employer guide
Hire a Registered Nurse in Australia
To hire a registered nurse you need to confirm current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia through Ahpra, know which award or agreement applies, and brief the role by setting, clinical area and shift pattern. CrossNation recruits registered nurses for employers across Australia. The fee is 12% of the annual salary, charged only on a successful placement.
By CrossNation Editorial Team. Sources checked 6 October 2026.
12% of annual salary
Charged only when a placement succeeds. No placement, no fee.
90-day placement guarantee
See our terms.
Official data
Key facts from official sources
Entry qualification
NMBA-approved program of study, usually a Bachelor of Nursing
Source: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (retrieved 6 October 2026)
ANZSCO code
254412 Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
Source: ABS: ANZSCO 2022 structure (occupation codes), read 2026-10-06 (retrieved 6 October 2026)
Modern award
Nurses Award [MA000034]
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: List of awards (retrieved 6 October 2026)
What you need to know
What should you check before a registered nurse starts?
Registration comes first. A registered nurse must hold general registration on the national register before practising, and the register is public, so you can look the person up and keep a record of the check. Registration renews each year, so diarise the renewal date. Ask about recency of practice, since the Board expects nurses to have practised recently, and check any conditions or notations shown on the register. Also collect the usual pre-employment items: identity and work rights, a national police check, immunisation evidence where your setting requires it and referees from recent clinical roles. A short, documented checklist protects residents, patients and your organisation.
How should you write the brief for a registered nurse?
Nurses choose roles by setting and team, so lead with those. State whether the role is residential aged care, hospital, community or clinic, the clinical area, the shift pattern including nights and weekends, and whether the nurse will lead a shift or supervise enrolled nurses and care workers. List the systems used for care planning and medication management, the nurse-to-resident or patient ratio if you can share it, and any orientation or preceptor support. Say what is negotiable, such as part-time hours, and whether you will consider nurses who are new to the setting. A clear brief lets a recruiter search for the right experience instead of guessing.
Which award or agreement will apply to the role?
Private sector nurses, including many in aged care, are commonly covered by the Nurses Award [MA000034], while public hospitals and many larger providers use enterprise agreements that must leave employees better off overall than the award. Coverage follows the employer's industry and the person's classification, so decide the classification and pay point before you make an offer. The award has rules on penalties, overtime, allowances and leave that apply on top of the base rate. We do not publish pay figures on this page. Use the Fair Work Pay Calculator and the award text, and check whether an agreement in your organisation sets different rates.
Before you brief a recruiter: registered nurse checklist
Checklist
- Confirm current Ahpra registration on the public register and record the check
- Agree the classification, pay point and award or agreement before the offer
- Write the brief by setting, clinical area and shift pattern
- Decide who orients and supervises a nurse new to your setting
- Collect identity, work rights, police check and immunisation evidence
- Diarise the annual registration renewal date
Tell us the role, location and start date
The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I hire a registered nurse whose registration is still in progress?
Not to practise as a registered nurse. The person must appear on the register with general registration before practising. You can hold a conditional offer, but the start date should depend on registration being granted.
Is a registered nurse the same as an enrolled nurse for staffing?
No. Registered nurses usually hold a degree and practise independently, while enrolled nurses usually hold a diploma and work under the direction of a registered nurse. Your staffing model and the award classification differ for each.
What should I budget for beyond the base rate?
Allowances, penalty rates for nights and weekends, overtime, super and leave loading can all apply. Use the Fair Work Pay Calculator with the award and classification to build the full cost of a shift.
How does CrossNation charge to recruit a registered nurse?
The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds, and placements carry a 90-day placement guarantee. There is no charge to send a brief. CrossNation recruits registered nurses for employers across Australia, and you can send the role, location and start date through the employer enquiry form.
Can I recruit an overseas registered nurse through CrossNation?
CrossNation recruits sponsorship-ready overseas candidates for employers that want them. Nurses trained overseas must complete the Board's registration process before they can practise, which is separate from any visa. The employer holds or obtains its own approval, and CrossNation cannot promise a visa, an approval or a job. This is general information, not migration advice. Speak to a registered migration agent.
What should I verify before I offer a registered nurse the job?
General registration as a registered nurse is required before practising. Internationally qualified nurses are assessed by the NMBA before registration is granted. For a registered nurse, the award that commonly applies is the Nurses Award (MA000034), but coverage depends on your industry and the person's duties, so confirm it with the Fair Work Ombudsman before you set the offer. Keep a copy of any licence, registration or check you sight for your registered nurse, and confirm their right to work in Australia before they start.