Australian Nurses - Work in the UK with International Travel Nurse
International Travel Nurse now has a presence in Australia. If you hold AHPRA registration and want to work in NHS hospitals, we can help you get there. We handle your NMC registration, visa application and accommodation so you can focus on your career and travel plans.
Our parent company, ReachOut Medical Group, has placed nurses in UK hospitals for over 30 years. We know the process inside out. Fill in our quick form, and an ITN consultant will be in touch to discuss your options.
Why Australian Nurses Choose the UK
The NHS has a sustained demand for experienced nurses. The Health and Care Worker visa makes it straightforward for registered nurses to relocate, with a salary threshold of just £25,000 for roles on national pay scales. Band 5 nurse salaries now start at £31,049 and rise to £37,796 with experience. Band 6 roles start at £38,638.
Living in the UK puts Europe within easy reach. A weekend in Paris, Barcelona or Amsterdam is a short flight away. The UK itself has plenty to see, from the Scottish Highlands to the beaches of Cornwall.
You trained in English. You work in English. That means you may already meet NMC language requirements without sitting IELTS or OET.
Your Path from AHPRA to NMC
Australian nursing qualifications are well-regarded in the UK. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) regulates all nurses practising in the UK. To join the NMC register, you need to pass the Test of Competence and provide evidence of your qualifications and English language ability.
NMC Registration
The Test of Competence has two parts. The computer-based test (CBT) assesses your theoretical nursing knowledge. The objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) tests your practical skills in a simulated clinical setting.
You can sit the CBT at a Pearson VUE test centre in Australia before you travel. The OSCE must be completed in the UK at one of five approved test centres.
English Language Evidence
If your nursing degree was taught and examined in English, you may not need to sit a separate English test. The NMC accepts evidence that your pre-registration programme met their language standards.
If you do need to provide test scores, the NMC accepts IELTS Academic (minimum 7.0 in reading, listening and speaking; 6.5 in writing) or OET (minimum Grade B in reading, listening and speaking; Grade C+ in writing).
Health and Care Worker Visa
The Health and Care Worker visa is the standard route for nurses moving to the UK. It offers a lower salary threshold than the general Skilled Worker visa (£25,000 versus £41,700) and you do not pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. Processing typically takes around three weeks.
To apply, you need a job offer from a licensed sponsor and a Certificate of Sponsorship. ITN arranges your placement before you apply, so your sponsorship is already in place.
OSCE Preparation
ITN provides guidance and resources to help you prepare for the OSCE. The exam covers clinical skills, patient assessment and care planning. You will have up to 12 weeks from your employment start date to sit your first attempt.
What ITN Handles for You
We support you through every stage of the process. Our team guides you through NMC registration, from gathering documents to booking your CBT. We help you prepare for the OSCE with resources and advice. We advise on your visa application and ensure your paperwork is in order.
Before you leave Australia, you will have a confirmed placement at an NHS hospital in London, Milton Keynes or Reading. We arrange your accommodation so you have somewhere to live from day one. Once you arrive, our team is available around the clock if you need support.
We offer reimbursement packages between £500 and £3,000 to help cover relocation costs, plus an accommodation allowance.
NHS Salaries for Australian Nurses
NHS pay follows the Agenda for Change system. Most nurses start at Band 5, which covers newly qualified and early-career registered nurses. The 2025/26 pay scales set Band 5 salaries between £31,049 and £37,796, depending on experience.
Senior nurses, deputy ward managers and specialist nurses typically sit at Band 6. Salaries at this level range from £38,638 to £46,581.
If you work in or around London, you receive a High Cost Area Supplement on top of your base salary. This ranges from 5% to 20% depending on the exact location.
Short-Term and Long-Term Placements
ITN offers 13-week placements for nurses who want to combine work with travel. You earn a competitive hourly rate, gain UK experience and have the flexibility to move on when your contract ends.
If you want to settle in the UK for longer, we also arrange extended placements. Many of our nurses start with a short contract and decide to stay. We can help you extend or find a new placement when you are ready.
Eligibility
To register with ITN, you need to hold current AHPRA registration as a nurse. You should be aged between 18 and 30 and have at least 12 months of clinical experience in a hospital or healthcare facility. English must be your first language.
If you meet these criteria, we would like to hear from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most nurses complete NMC registration and arrive in the UK within three to six months. Timelines vary depending on how quickly you gather documents and book your CBT.
Yes. NMC registration fees are payable during the application process. ITN offers reimbursement packages to help offset these costs once you start your placement.
Health and Care Worker visa holders can bring dependants (spouse and children) to the UK. Dependants have the right to work and do not need to meet a salary threshold.
ITN recruits for NHS hospitals in London, Milton Keynes and Reading. We match you to a placement based on your skills, experience and preferences.
You can resit the OSCE. ITN provides support and guidance to help you prepare for any subsequent attempts.
If you trained in Australia and your programme was taught in English, you may be exempt. The NMC assesses each application individually. If you do need a test, both IELTS Academic and OET are accepted.
We help you find suitable housing before you arrive. Many of our nurses share with other ITN nurses, which is a good way to settle in and make friends.
Yes. If you enjoy your placement and want to stay longer, we can help you extend your contract or find a new role.
Visit Us in Australia
International Travel Nurse, 90 Maribyrnong Street, Footscray, VIC 3011
Contact us through the form below, and a member of our team will be in touch.
Ready to Start?
Fill in our short form and an ITN consultant will contact you to discuss your options. We will answer your questions, explain the process and help you decide if travel nursing in the UK is right for you.