The Best Healthcare Jobs in Australia for Foreigners in 2023

The importance of having great healthcare professionals in Australia cannot be understated, with the aging population expected to double by 2056, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Despite the number of healthcare professionals steadily increasing, jobs in the healthcare sector are set to grow at an incredibly fast rate over the next several years, creating thousands of new jobs for qualified candidates. 

In 2016, over one million Australians were employed in the healthcare industry, making it one of the largest employers in the country. The past few years have seen rapid growth in the number of Australians employed in healthcare-related professions, with jobs such as nurse, therapist, and physician all being high in demand. To remain at the forefront of global medical research and development, Australia’s healthcare industry needs more qualified professionals than ever before. Despite fluctuating exchange rates and an ever-changing job market, these are some of the best healthcare jobs in Australia for 2023 and beyond.

If you’re considering taking the leap into the healthcare industry, you may be wondering which jobs offer the most money or promise to make you the happiest. With over 6,000 healthcare facilities in Australia and more than 150,000 registered healthcare professionals, there are countless careers to consider! To help guide your decision, this blog will take an in-depth look at the five best healthcare jobs in Australia that offer long-term job security, high-income potential, and room for advancement.

Best Healthcare Jobs in Australia

If you're a foreigner interested in pursuing a healthcare career, here are the different options to consider.

Social Worker

A social worker is a professional who helps people cope with the challenges they face in their lives. They can work with individuals, families, or groups, and they often have a specialty area such as child welfare, mental health, or geriatrics. Social workers collaborate with their clients to assess their goals and adjust them as needed. When appropriate, they may also offer their clients and patients outside referrals for support groups or other mental health professionals. Social workers must have a bachelor's degree in social work, and many also have a master's degree. In Australia, social workers earn an average salary of $85,000 per year.

Occupational Therapist

An occupational therapist helps people of all ages to overcome physical, mental, and social obstacles so they can lead independent and fulfilling lives. They work with patients who have conditions like cerebral palsy, autism, and Alzheimer's disease. Occupational therapists work with injured, sick, or disabled patients by applying therapeutic properties to everyday activities that treat their patients’ conditions. Patients include children and young adults in educational or clinical settings, where they evaluate disabled children’s abilities and advise on appropriate classroom modifications. Occupational therapists need a master's degree in occupational therapy and licensing. In Australia, occupational therapists earn a median salary of $79,403 per year.

Osteopath

As an osteopath, you'll diagnose and treat patients with musculoskeletal problems. You'll use a variety of techniques, including massage, manipulation, and stretching, to relieve pain and encourage healing. Osteopathy is a hands-on career, so you'll need to be comfortable working with patients. If you're interested in this field, you'll need to complete a four-year degree in osteopathy. In Australia, osteopaths earn a median salary of $71,000 per year.

Speech Pathologist

A speech-language pathologist is a position in the health field and is practiced by a certified clinician. A Speech Pathologist is a healthcare professional who is responsible for diagnosing and treating patients with speech and language disorders. They work with patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly. Speech Pathologists typically work in hospitals, clinics, or private practices.

moreover, advanced education is required to be employed in the position of a speech-language pathologist. A master's degree from an accredited university in speech-language pathology is required. Additionally, many states require professional certification in the area of specialty and state licensing. In Australia, the average salary for a Speech Pathologist is $82,492 per year.

Personal Care Assistant (PCA)

If you're passionate about helping others and have a caring personality, then a career as a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) could be perfect for you. A personal assistant is often appointed to assist single personnel within the organization. The duties and tasks of a personal assistant will vary depending on the requirements of the employer. PCAs provide support and assistance to people who are unable to care for themselves, whether it be due to age, illness, or disability.

Although a high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum educational requirement to be a personal assistant, the majority of employers prefer candidates that possess a certificate from a secretarial school. Proven experience working as a personal assistant is also often required followed by a high proficiency in computer technology and excellent communication skills. Good candidates will also display strong multitasking abilities and organizational skills. In Australia, the demand for PCAs is expected to grow significantly over the next few years, making it a great time to enter the field. A Personal Care Assistant (PCA) earns an average base pay of $25 per hour.

Registered Nurse

A registered nurse is one of the most in-demand healthcare jobs in Australia. The average salary for a registered nurse is $85,000 per year. Registered nurses must have a minimum of an Associate's degree in nursing, although many nurses now have a Bachelor's degree. RNs need to have graduated from an accredited nursing program, typically obtaining a Bachelor's degree in nursing, and possess a license in the state they want to work in. To become a registered nurse, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Registered nurses can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and doctor's offices.

Enrolled Nurse

A career as an enrolled nurse is a great choice for those who want to work in the healthcare industry. Enrolled nurses work under the supervision of a registered nurse and provide care to patients in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics. In order to become an enrolled nurse, you must complete an accredited nursing program and pass the national registration examination. The average salary for an enrolled nurse is $4,481 per month.

Assistant in Nursing

This job is perfect for those who want to work in the healthcare industry but don’t have a lot of experience. You’ll be assisting nurses with patient care, which can be both rewarding and challenging. The hours can be long and the work can be physically demanding, but it’s a great way to get your foot in the door of the healthcare industry. These professional workers earn an average of $23 per hour.

Community Support Worker

A community support worker helps people in the community who have disabilities, mental health issues, or other problems. They provide practical and emotional support and connect people with the services they need. Community support workers typically work in social service agencies, but can also work in hospitals, schools, or other settings.

Community support specialists accompany clients to medical appointments and community activities and interview potential clients and family members using the information to compile a file related to their backgrounds. Community support specialists follow up on meetings and community activities and offer advice or information regarding resources including proper financial management or childcare services. Community support specialists play a vital role as members of an action team and need an associate's degree or higher in communications, social work, or related fields. A community support worker earns an average base pay of $30 per hour.

Top Healthcare Job Posting Sites in Australia

These websites list out Australian Nursing Jobs for Foreigners. You can click on them and check them out.

AusDoc.JOBS

AusDoc.JOBS is a niche job board that features medical jobs from across the country. It offers a variety of posting plans, including print advertisements in Australia's leading medical publications.

HealthTimes 

HealthTimes is an Australian career site for healthcare professionals. It offers a range of industry resources for job seekers in the medical field and features a job board.

MedicalJobsAustralia.com

MedicalJobsAustralia.com is an Australian job board that is dedicated to connecting employers with professional healthcare workers in a variety of niche medical fields.

Pharmaceeka

Pharmaceeka is a free online pharmacy locum and employment service. It allows employers to advertise and manage jobs for all types of pharmacy work in Australia.

Nursing Jobs

Nursing Jobs specializes in posting nursing jobs in Australia. Job seekers can browse jobs and upload their resumes. With a choice of four posting plans and a database of more than 2,000 job seekers, employers are bound to find the right candidates for their vacancies.

Care Careers

Care Careers is an Australian job site for opportunities in the healthcare sector. It is a not-for-profit initiative that provides employers and job seekers alike with a standard job board, training and qualifications, and informational guides.

Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine

The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine features a job board for job seekers and employers in the health and wellness industry.

Skilled Medical

Skilled Medical is a medical recruitment platform with global reach. With Skilled Medical, employers can advertise vacancies for medical professionals in locum, as well as temporary, and/or permanent positions across Australia.

RANZCO

RANZCO stands for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists. The platform offers a classifieds section that helps to connect ophthalmologists in Australia and New Zealand with meaningful employment.

Global Medical Careers

As one of the world's leading healthcare job boards, Global Medical Careers advertises vacancies across the globe, including in Australia. The platform guarantees employers excellent exposure and access to an extensive database.

SEEK

SEEK is a leading job posting site in Australia that attracts millions of monthly job seekers. Employers can post jobs, effortlessly manage their ads, and search an extensive resume database.

Indeed

Indeed is a world-renowned job board that attracts millions of monthly visits. With Indeed, employers gain access to a range of tools and resources to streamline their recruitment process.

Final Thoughts

If you're looking for a rewarding career in healthcare, there are plenty of options to choose from in Australia. From general practitioners to specialists, there are many different roles to suit your skills and interests. With the aging population and the increasing demand for healthcare services, there will be plenty of job opportunities in the coming years. So if you're thinking about a career in healthcare, now is a great time to start planning your future.