BlogHealthTop 5 Nursing Schools in Australia for 2023 Revealed

Top 5 Nursing Schools in Australia for 2023 Revealed

Considering studying Nursing at university but aren’t sure which nursing school you should apply to?

We’ve rounded up the top five nursing schools in Australia so you can see how they rank. Here’s your chance to learn more about potential universities for studying to become a registered nurse.

See which uni made the list!

#5. Griffith University

Griffith University

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Rankings 

Griffith University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery takes the 5th spot for top Australian nursing schools, according to QS Top Universities Rankings 2023. 

The school is also ranked 23rd globally, according to QS Top Universities Rankings 2023.

It is also the 19th best university overall in Australia according to the Top Universities in Australia 2023 rankings.

Looking for High School Rankings instead of university rankings?

About 

Griffith University’s Nursing School is studied at the Nathan and Logan campuses. With over 50,000 patient appointments on campus every year, students, under supervision, have the chance to practise with real patients!

With a focus on hands-on work and real-world experience, studying at Griffith means a lot of time in placements and simulated clinical settings at the Nursing laboratories.

For placements, you can choose to take a break from the Gold Coast campus and work in Brisbane, South-East Queensland, Alice Springs, Thursday Island and even with the Royal Flying Doctor Service!

You can also apply to their postgraduate nursing degrees on critical care, acute care and emergency nursing!

Entry Requirements 

To kickstart their journey at Griffith’s Nursing and Midwifery School, applicants require:

Bachelor of Nursing

  • 2023 Guaranteed ATAR of 72.00 
  • English, English as an Additional Language, Literature or English & Literature Extension

Bachelor of Midwifery

  • 2023 Guaranteed ATAR of 88.00
  • English, English as an Additional Language, Literature or English & Literature Extension

Want more insight into studying Nursing at Griffith? Check out our breakdown of what it’s like studying a Bachelor of Nursing at Griffith University!

#4. University of Technology Sydney (UTS) 

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Rankings 

The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) School of Nursing and Midwifery is 4th for top Australian nursing schools, according to QS Top Universities Rankings 2023. 

The school is also ranked 20th globally, according to QS Top Universities Rankings 2023. Additionally, UTS is the 9th best university within Australia according to the Top Universities in Australia 2023 rankings.

About 

The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) offers a dynamic nursing degree underpinned by the latest research into nursing and midwifery. The UTS Nursing faculty is affiliated with over 100 clinical facilities across New South Wales alone, allowing nursing students to grow their professional networks! 

The UTS Nursing faculty also gives students the option to specialise in many health disciplines, including mental health, palliative care, and aged care to name a few. 

Undergraduate students can either apply for a Bachelor of Nursing (3 years full-time) or a Bachelor of Midwifery (3 years full-time) —the latter being one of the only undergraduate courses of its kind in Australia. An optional honours degree is also available for Bachelor of Nursing students. 

More information can be found in the UTS Health course guide!

Entry Requirements 

Applications are made via UAC. 

Bachelor of Nursing 

  • 2023 Selection Rank of a 78.00 ATAR 
  • Recommended HSC subjects include Mathematics, Science, and English 

Bachelor of Midwifery

  • 2023 Selection Rank of a 97.15 ATAR 
  • Recommended HSC subjects include Mathematics, Science, and English 

Check out what it’s like studying a Bachelor of Nursing at UTS and its pros and cons!

#3. The University of Melbourne 

Melbourne Nursing School

Image sourced from Create Digital

Rankings 

The University of Melbourne’s School of Health Sciences ranks at number 3 for top Australian nursing schools, according to QS Top Universities Rankings 2023. 

The school is also ranked 17th globally, according to QS Top Universities Rankings 2023. It is also the 2nd best university overall in Australia according to the Top Universities in Australia 2023 rankings.

About 

Underpinned by cutting-edge health and medical sciences research, Melbourne University’s Nursing School provides nursing students with an in-depth education, particularly through its connection with a variety of specialist teaching hospitals across Australia. 

Unlike many other universities in Australia, nursing students must complete a master’s degree to finalise their accreditation. To become a registered nurse through The University of Melbourne, students must first complete a three year undergraduate degree (either a Bachelor of Commerce, a Bachelor of Science, a Bachelor of Design or a Bachelor of Biomedicine) and then complete a Master of Nursing Science (a 2 year degree). 

Entry Requirements 

Applicants must first complete a three year undergraduate degree in Commerce, Design, Biomedicine or Science to apply for the Master of Nursing Science. 

Those who achieved an ATAR between 96.00 and 99.85 in Year 12 and then go on to enrol in an undergraduate degree at Melbourne University are guaranteed a place in the Master of Nursing Science. This is provided that you achieve a weighted average mark of 65+ or higher for your undergraduate.

 

#2. Monash University 

Monash Nursing School

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Rankings 

Monash University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery ranks at number 2 for top Australian nursing schools, according to QS Top Universities Rankings 2023. 

The school is also ranked 15th globally, according to QS Top Universities Rankings 2023. Additionally, it’s ranked the 6th best university in Australia overall on Top Universities in Australia 2023!

About

Melbourne’s Monash University School of Nursing and Midwifery is the highest-ranking nursing school in Victoria. Monash University Nursing School is spread across both the Clayton and Peninsula campuses, offering undergraduate students a wide range of study options in various health and medical fields.

The school also promotes practical learning, giving students vast options of clinical placements.  

Undergraduate courses include a Bachelor of Nursing and a Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery (Honours) which are respectively 3 and 4 years in length.

Entry Requirements 

Applications are made via VTAC (the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre).

Bachelor of Nursing

  • 2023 Guaranteed ATAR of 70.00 for both Clayton and Peninsula campuses 
  • English + Mathematics subject prerequisites 

Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery (Honours) 

  • 2023 Guaranteed ATAR of 82.00
  • English + Mathematics subject prerequisites

Check out what it’s like to study a Bachelor of Nursing at Monash, as well as the pros and cons!

#1. The University of Sydney 

USYD Nursing School

Image sourced from Facade Concept

Rankings 

The University of Sydney Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery takes the place as #1 for top Australian nursing schools, according to QS Top Universities Rankings 2023. 

The school is also ranked 13th globally, according to QS Top Universities Rankings 2023. USYD is ranked as the 3rd best university in Australia overall, in Top Universities in Australia 2023.

About

Based on Mallet Street in Camperdown, the new, purpose-built Susan Wakil Building that houses the University of Sydney Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery provides students with the practical skills that are required within the nursing profession.

A number of courses are available for undergraduate students, including: 

Prospective students can also complete an undergraduate degree with a Master of Nursing to qualify as a registered nurse. These courses include:

A number of undergraduate scholarships are available each year. 

Entry Requirements 

Applications are made via UAC. The following are the degrees offered within the nursing school and the ATARs required: 

Bachelor of Nursing (Advanced Studies)

  • 2023 Guaranteed Entry ATAR of 84.00

Bachelor of Arts/Master of Nursing 

  • 2023 Guaranteed Entry ATAR of 80

Bachelor of Science (Health)/Master of Nursing 

  • 2023 Guaranteed Entry ATAR of 80

Bachelor of Science/Master of Nursing 

  • 2023 Guaranteed Entry ATAR of 80

Learn more about the Bachelor of Nursing (Advanced Studies) as well as its pros and cons!


Grace Mitchell hopes to one day stand in front of a Year 12 Modern History class teaching the history of the Soviet Union, or have an insightful discussion with a Year 10 English class on race relations in To Kill a Mockingbird. Either way, Grace is beginning her teaching journey studying a Bachelor of Education (Secondary: Humanities and Social Sciences)/Bachelor of Arts at Sydney University. Grace loves to learn new things, write short stories and opinion pieces, read, and play contemporary Australian compositions on the clarinet. When she is not learning – if that is possible – Grace loves to sit and watch the sun set. 

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