Why NZ Nurses & Midwives Are in High Demand in Australia (And How to Get Started)

Thinking about a move across the ditch? If you’re a New Zealand RN or midwife craving adventure, better pay, and the chance to make a real difference, Australia’s remote, rural and regional hospitals are calling.

Whether you’re between permanent roles, wanting to try something new, or testing the waters before a bigger move, short-term contracts in Australia can be a game changer for your career and lifestyle.

Why NZ Nurses & Midwives Are in High Demand in Australia

Australia is experiencing ongoing shortages across many healthcare settings, especially outside the major cities. Remote, rural and regional facilities rely on skilled, confident clinicians who can hit the ground running and provide safe, high-quality care from day one.

That’s where New Zealand nurses and midwives come in.

NZ-trained clinicians are highly regarded for their clinical standards, communication skills and adaptability. Your experience in acute, community, mental health or maternity settings transfers incredibly well – and opens doors to meaningful work across Australia.

What Kind of Contracts Are Available?

We’re currently supporting New Zealand RNs and midwives into 4–12 week contracts across a mix of settings, including:

• Regional and rural hospitals
• Remote multipurpose services
• Community and mental health settings
• Regional birthing units and maternity services

These contracts are ideal if you:

• Want to earn well in a short period of time
• Are curious about remote and regional healthcare
• Need flexibility around family, study or other commitments
• Are exploring whether a longer-term move to Australia is right for you

Skills We’re Looking For Right Now

We’re particularly interested in hearing from New Zealand clinicians with the following backgrounds:

• Emergency Department Registered Nurses (ED RNs)
• Midwives
• Theatre / Perioperative Nurses
• Mental Health RNs** (inpatient, community, crisis or acute)

If you’ve worked in busy hospital environments, managed a broad clinical load, and are comfortable working autonomously, you’re exactly who Australia’s regional and remote facilities want on their teams.

What You Get When You Work With E4 People

Taking your skills overseas can feel like a big leap – but you don’t have to do it alone. At E4 People, we’re here to make the transition as smooth and supported as possible.

Here’s what you can expect:

1. Top Pay Rates & Free Accommodation 🏡

You’ll be rewarded for stepping outside your comfort zone. Contracts typically offer excellent hourly rates, plus free accommodation, so you can maximise your earnings while you’re away.

2.  Flights Covered for Longer Placements ✈️

For 8-week+ placements, we’ll cover your flights, helping remove one of the biggest barriers to saying “yes” to a regional or remote contract.

3. Practical Help Getting Set Up in Australia 💳

The admin side of an international move can be a headache. We’ll support you with:

• Setting up an Australian bank account

• Getting your superannuation (retirement savings) sorted

• Clarifying how pay, tax and allowances work

So you can focus on your work, not the paperwork.

4. A Dedicated Consultant in Your Corner

From your first chat to your final shift, you’ll have one dedicated consultant who:

• Gets to know your skills, preferences and non‑negotiables
• Talks you through locations, rosters and expectations
• Checks in regularly while you’re on placement
• Advocates for you if any issues come up

Our job is to make sure you feel informed, supported and heard at every step.

What You’ll Need to Be Eligible

Because you’ll be working directly in Australian health services, there are some must‑haves:

• Full Australian Work Rights
• This might be via citizenship, permanent residency, or an appropriate working visa.
• For ED RNs: Current ALS (Advanced Life Support), Triage competency (recent experience in ED triage is highly regarded)
• For Midwives: FSEP or OFSEP (or equivalent) is required, reflecting the standards and expectations of Australian maternity services.

If you’re not sure whether your current qualifications or experience meet the requirements, we’re more than happy to talk it through and point you in the right direction.

What It’s Really Like Working in Remote, Rural and Regional Australia

A contract in regional or remote Australia is more than just a job change – it’s a full experience.

You might find yourself:

• Working in tight‑knit multidisciplinary teams where everyone pitches in
• Caring for diverse communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Building broader clinical skills, because regional and remote roles often mean a wider scope of practice
• Having your days off filled with coastal walks, outback sunsets, small‑town cafes or weekend road trips

There can be challenges – distance from big cities, fewer services, and the need to be clinically confident and adaptable – but for many clinicians, the rewards far outweigh the drawbacks.

How to Get Started

If you’re a New Zealand RN or midwife and you’re ready to explore your options in Australia, here’s how to take the next step:

1. Reach out to our team at E4 People – share your CV via the form below and a brief overview of your experience and preferences (locations, clinical areas, contract length).

2. We’ll talk you through current roles and upcoming contracts that match your skills.

3. Once we’ve found the right fit, we’ll guide you through onboarding, compliance and travel planning.

4. You head across the ditch, settle into your accommodation, and start making a real impact from your first shift.

Apply Now – Australia’s Waiting for You

If you’ve been thinking, "Maybe it’s time to try something different”, this could be your sign.