This entirely depends on your area of practice, your years of clinical experience, the state or health service you are working in, and the agency you are working for.

Typically you can expect $60-$80AUD per hour in regional areas through to $110+ per hour in more remote areas.

It is not uncommon for travel nurses to be on $150k-$160k AUD per year.

Absolutely you do! You'll get paid more on afternoons, nights, weekends and public holidays! You'll get told your varying rates when you are considering your contract!

You sure do! We recommend doing research on the best super fund for you and your goals or consult with a licensed financial guide.

No. Your employer will automatically deduct your taxes from your pay. We still recommend you consult with a chartered accountant come tax time as they can help you with what you can and can't claim.

There sure are! If you onboard with an agency and tell them that you found them through our website then you receive a $250 bonus from the agency!

To practice in Australia you must hold current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) through Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

You can start this process on the AHPRA website!

Registration with AHPRA can take anywhere from 2-8 weeks, so best to start it early!

The longer wait times are usually if you're applying from an international location or if it's your first time applying. You'll need to renew your AHPRA registration every year.

You'll need a minimum of 2 years post graduate experience in the area you are wanting to travel nurse in. Most agencies however will request you to have atleast 3 years experience prior to joining them.

Yes you will need these checks to be done!

National Police Check: You can do your National Police Check online by clicking the link and often needs to be done yearly or every second year.

Working With Children Check: this is contract dependent and will be done when you arrive at your specific contract.

* Additional certifications may be required for specialty roles.

This depends on which state and health service you are going to. The more remote or tropical you are, you're likely to be exposed to different diseases than if you were in the metropolitan areas.

It is best to ask your agency what you need for the specific contracts you want!

Contracts can be as short as 2 weeks right through to several months!

You definitely have a lot of the selection power. However, this is going to be determined by how much of a fit you are for the role, and if that role is currently being hired for at that particular health service you want to go to.

Each contract is going to come with its unique challenges but we encourage you to work out the length of the agreed contract. Unless there are extenuating circumstances. It'll be best to discuss this with your agent.

When you start on your contract you will get given 2 weeks worth of shifts in advance so you'll know exactly when you're working!

You are guaranteed the hours you signed to on your contract. Typically this is 76-80hrs a fortnight.

You're more likely to get a contract if you sign on as fixed-term full time. It's not to say that you can't do casual, however, it is very rare to find.

High demand specialties often include:

• Emergency
• ICU
• Theatre
• Mental health
• Remote area nursing (RAN)
• Aged care

Yes, though orientation is often brief. Travel nurses are expected to be adaptable and confident in their clinical skills, mixing in to their place of work seamlessly.

In most placements, yes. Facilities rely on experienced nurses who can integrate quickly into teams.

This is entirely state specific as each one uses their own operating system.

All hospital services are required to give you access to their local protocols. This may be in a filed paper form or through online intranet.

It is worthwhile becoming familiar with these when beginning a new contract.

This entirely depends on what contract you take. If you're in a rural town, typically there will be one nurse in the ED/urgent care and 1-3 nurses in the ward. If you choose to go very remote then you may very well be the only nurse on post.

Usually the hospital or health service has dedicated accomodation for you onsite or close by.

Regardless, your agency will assist you with your accomodation needs and will be detailed in your contract.

There is a big mix! You may be in shared housing with a shared bathroom, shared kitchen. You might be in shared housing but with your own bathroom and shared kitchen. Or you could have a place entirely to yourself!

Each contract is entirely different and dependent on the accomodation available.

Firstly, depending on the agency, travel expenses are typically covered. There are some limitations for example some agencies may pay for all your travel including international while some might only pay a contribution towards travel domestically around Australia. Some agencies will organise all your travel for you, others might get you to book it and they reimburse you.

In the agency guide you'll see which agencies cover travel and to what extent. It is definitely a factor worth considering before you onboard with an agency!

There are all different ways to get to your contract be it via plane, 4x4, boat, bus, train or even driving yourself! How exciting!

No! Although it is helpful to be able to go and see local sights, it is definitely not a must have!

This depends on the agency and the contract type. This is something to consider when choosing which agency and contract you go with!

Yes. One of the biggest benefits of travel nursing is flexibility. You can take time off between assignments.

If you’re working casual agency shifts, yes. For contract roles, you are expected to complete your agreed roster.

Depending which contract you go to will depend on the availability of overtime. It is always good to consider a contract with good overtime as that's where you make the best money!

You must spend time doing things you enjoy outside of work! This might be walking, going to the gym, reading, whatever you find relaxing.

It's also a good idea to go see the local sites. Meet with other agency nurses and head out of town for a night or two and see what the region has to offer. That's half the fun of travel nursing!

Absolutely!
Travel nursing:

• Expands your clinical experience
• Strengthens adaptability
• Builds diverse professional references
• Exposes you to varied health systems

Many nurses find it accelerates professional growth.

Travel nursing should not limit your ability to get a permanent role. In fact if you list the reasons in the above question, you'll find you'll be plenty employable!

Yes. Some facilities offer permanent positions after contract completion if it’s a good mutual fit.

Of course! Work hard, be the best nurse you can be, and the good references will follow!

A quality agency will provide:

• Dedicated consultant support
• Compliance guidance
• Payroll support
• Assistance with travel and accommodation (where applicable)

Regardless of agency, you will be provided with a dedicated agency consultant who should support you throughout your placement! They are your first port of call if you're having an issue with your contract experience.

The best option is to be upfront with the agency and ask what their rates are!

There'll be more information in the "Agency Guide" that's coming soon!

Agencies do compete for contracts as the more contracts they have available, the more chance they have of placing you in a contract you enjoy!

There isn't one agency better than another. However there are agencies that are more suited to your goals and career intentions than others.

Definitely take the time to break down each agency you're considering joining and let that help you decide if this is the agency for you!

Having new nurses starting all the time can be difficult for permanent staff however the majority of times staff are nice and grateful to have you helping them.

Demand fluctuates by region and season, but experienced nurses in high-demand specialties typically enjoy consistent opportunities.

It is very unlikely that shifts will dry up as Australia has such a demand for nurses. It may mean you need to consider a contract in a different area that wasn't your first choice.

There's plenty of great places to explore in Australia!

We are sure you don't make mistakes intentionally! We learn from these and we move on.

Talk with your line manager at the facility, or talk with your agency representative and they'll help guide you on what to do.

It's called clinical practice, not clinical perfect!

Obviously it is a risk going from full time permanent employment to a contracting role. But nurses are in such high demand in Australia that it's not difficult for you to find ongoing work! The higher pay is just an added benefit!