Enrolled nursing jobs in Cairns

Sanctuary Recruitment is Australia's leading aged care recruitment agency that specialises in placing enrolled nurses and aged care professionals in roles across the country on a temporary, permanent and contract basis. We have strong relationships with private and non-for-profit providers and are able to find you a position, or staff that meet your requirements and needs.

If you are an enrolled nurse and are looking for a new position in Cairns, or would like to travel the country with us, send in your resume and view our available jobs today.

Register with Sanctuary

register with sanctuary

Express your interest

Send in your resume or register your interest and our industry expert consultants will be in contact.

register with sanctuary

Prepare for work

Complete the onboarding process and become fully compliant. Our compliance team can help you through this step by step.

register with sanctuary

Being working with Sanctuary

Choose from 100's of roles that suit your needs, values and requirements.

Enrolled Nurse Jobs in Cairns FAQs

Enrolled nurses are AHPRA registered healthcare professionals who provide direct patient/resident care in an array of medical settings. The difference between an enrolled nurse and a registered nurse is their scope of practice - registered nurses have more responsibilities and duties than an enrolled nurse.

Enrolled nurses in aged care often enter the industry either through an entry level role such as an Assistant in nursing/personal care worker and then upskilling. or by studying the relevant course and entering at in this role.

Our enrolled nursing roles cover Australia wide areas. We have a large network of homes in metro, regional, rural and remote areas of the country.

Reach out today if you are looking for a role in Cairns or across Queensland, in areas such as:

  • Bribie Island
  • Brisbane
  • Gold Coast
  • Sunshine Coast
  • Toowoomba
  • Townsville
  • Wide Bay

Pay rates for enrolled nurses are broken down in the Aged Care and Nurses Award. There are various pay points that are dependent on your experience, location, job title and setting. The average enrolled nurse casual pay rates are in-between $31 - $76 per hour

For short term contract placements across the country, we offer allowances, incentives and bonuses depending on the placement. The aged care industry is evolving, with the aged care reform roadmap leading to a pay rise for the aged care sector in recent years, with changes to come.

For our enrolled nurses, we generally require a minimum of 6 months Australian aged care experience for our metro and casual nursing pool. Get in touch today if your experience doesn't reach this, as some of our clients accept newer grads.

Enrolled nurses are required to have completed a 2 year Diploma of Nursing course. This is  completed at an educational institution, made up of both practical and theoretical assessments. Eligible students can receive fee-free courses through TAFE.

You can work as an enrolled nurse on a temporary/casual and contract basis. Temporary work allows you to fill ad-hoc shifts when you like, whether it is last minute cancellations or block bookings. Contract assignments are often full time placements starting from 4 weeks in regional and remote areas of the country.

We have a Learning Management System (LMS) that allows for our nurses to educate and refresh their knowledge so they are ready for work. This is regularly updated to reflect legislation and is role specific, at no cost to you.

Through working on a casual/temporary basis, you can:

  • Decide when and where you work
  • Explore areas of the country whilst getting paid for it, with free travel and accommodation included.
  • Judge the work/life balance you want to implement
  • Receive casual loading hourly pay rates

Rewards and benefits

market leading pay rates

Market leading pay rates

bonuses and incentives

Bonuses and incentives

industry expert consultants

Industry expert consultants

discount programs

Discount programs

Free online education modules

Free online education modules

Referral scheme

Referral scheme

Aged care blog
Once in a generation aged care reform

First published: September 2024 On the 12th September 2024 the Albanese Government announced their plans to deliver historic aged care reforms, with $5.6 billion being invested into a package that will bring the greatest improvement to aged care in 30 years. It is projected that within the next 40 years, those aged 65 and over…

Enhancing aged care: Pulse Staffing Australia and Sanctuary Recruitment to deliver PALM Aged Care Expansion Program

First published: July 2024 Quality aged care is vital for ensuring that elderly people live fulfilling, healthy lives with dignity and respect. Aligned with our purpose to improve people’s lives, Pulse Staffing Australia and Sanctuary Recruitment, both part of Acacium Group, have partnered to support the delivery of the 2024 PALM Aged Care Expansion Program….

5 benefits of rural nursing in Australia

A career in remote and rural nursing comes with a wealth of personal and professional rewards. From expanding your clinical skills to experiencing real job satisfaction, nursing outside of Australia’s major cities opens the door to meaningful, impactful work. It’s a chance to grow as a nurse while supporting those who need care the most….

Fast tracked AHPRA conversion for overseas nurses

Published February 2025 From April 2025, internationally qualified nurses from six countries will be able to receive their AHPRA registration using a more effective, less timely process. Nurses from the United Kingdom, Ireland. the United States, Singapore, Spain and parts of Canada (British Columbia and Ontario) will be able to register as a healthcare practitioner…

12 aged care interview questions and answers

Revised: May 2025 Are you preparing for an aged care interview?  Knowing the most common aged care interview questions and how to answer them can help you feel confident and ready to showcase your skills. Within our detailed guide, we’ll help you to prepare for the 12 most frequently asked aged care interview questions. We’ve…

How to become a registered nurse in Australia from overseas

Revised: May 2025 Nursing in Australia is a rewarding career path to choose. There is a wealth of opportunities available in the dynamic and diverse healthcare settings. Within this comprehensive guide, we’ve outlined how to become a registered nurse in Australia from overseas. We’ll walk you through the steps to take and provide you with…

What is home care?

First published: April 2025 Home care, or care at home, is the support and assistance provided by healthcare professionals to allow those who need a helping hand to live independently at home for longer. The number of people wanting to remain at home is increasing, with 80% of older people opting to continue to live…

Aged care worker resume sample and tips

First published: January 2024 When looking to land your dream job, standing out from the competition can be done through a carefully crafted aged care resume. Showing off your invaluable experience and aged care qualifications is essential, but it can be difficult to know where to start.  Within this blog, we’ve detailed how to perfect…

Duties and responsibilities of an aged care worker

First published: July 2024 Aged care workers working in the Australian aged care industry are responsible for more than just fundamental duties and responsibilities. They are expected to provide personal, emotional, and holistic support to their residents, playing a key part in a resident’s twilight years. Working in aged care is an admirable profession, one…

On the road to remote care: my journey as a travel nurse in Western Australia

First published: February 2025 Travel nurses experience the unique thrill of packing their bags and spontaneously setting off on a new adventure. When the destination is Western Australia—home to stunning coastlines, vast outback, and a diverse healthcare landscape—the experience becomes something truly unforgettable. At Sanctuary, our contract team specialise in the placement of experienced and…