Regional nurse jobs in Australia

Develop your career and make a real difference as a regional nurse with Sanctuary. Through our long-standing partnerships with regional, rural and remote aged care homes, you can gain invaluable experience and explore diverse communities with our regional nurse jobs.

What does regional nursing with Sanctuary look like?

Our regional nurse jobs give you the opportunity to bring your skills to communities that need them the most. If you live in a rural or regional location, we have casual shifts available, and if you want to travel into regional areas, you can secure one of our short‑ or long‑term contracts.

Benefits of regional nursing with Sanctuary include:

  • Flexibility and variety: Work on your own terms, on contract placements or a casual schedule.
  • Competitive pay: Regional roles often have higher pay rates than shifts in metro areas.
  • Experience: Build your skills providing quality care across different communities and grow your professional experience.
  • Explore the country: Travel to regional areas and discover parts of Australia you may not have visited before.
  • Create meaningful impact: Make a real difference by providing essential care to regional communities and enriching the lives of older Australians who need it most.
Row edge-slant Shape Decorative svg added to top

Our regional nursing roles across Australia

We offer opportunities outside metro areas in the following states:

  • New South Wales
  • Northern Territory
  • South Australia
  • Queensland
  • Victoria
  • Western Australia

Lets get started

Getting started with Sanctuary is simple. Once you apply or register your interest, we’ll support you throughout your search.  

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

Speak with our team

Your dedicated consultant will learn about your experience, skills and preferences to support your job search. 

register with sanctuary

Start your remote role

Once you’ve found the right role, we’ll help you through the onboarding so that you can confidently start your new role. 

Regional nures job FAQs

Regional nurses provide care in communities outside major cities. You’ll perform your usual clinical duties while working in regional, rural or remote locations, either on a short to long term contract (typically four weeks to three months) or on an ad-hoc basis if you live within commuting distance to the home.

We have regional nursing opportunities across the country, in six different states. View a list of our job vacancies here or get in contact for a full rundown of the areas we work in.

Working in regional areas often comes with higher hourly rates than metro-based roles. Your pay rate will be influenced by factors such as your experience, specialism, location and shift patterns. Contact our team for more information on what you could earn.

Regional nursing typically requires in-depth experience, as you may work in smaller teams or at times solo. Most roles require at least 12 months of Australian nursing experience, and you may benefit from obtaining remote area nursing qualifications for certain regions. Our team can assess your resume and match you with suitable positions.

Great regional nurses have the following skills:

  • Clinical skills
  • Leadership and management
  • Community engagement
  • Cultural sensitivity
  • Adaptability
  • Continuous learning
Aged care blog
What is aged care?

First published: January 2025 Aged care is a collection of services delivered to older people (usually aged 65 and over), both inside and outside of their home, that allows them to live a full, normal life. Aged care is provided on a variety of different levels, depending on the needs of the client. In Australia,…

The human side of dementia care

What I’ve learned visiting aged care homes across australia By Rhiannon Dhoot, Client Relationship Manager at Sanctuary Recruitment Over the past few months, I’ve had the opportunity to visit a number of aged care homes across Australia, including facilities that specialise in dementia care and homes with dedicated dementia support units. Although every home has…

What is a home care package?

First published: March 2025 Home care packages are provided under the Home Care Package Program, which is partially subsidised by the government, aiming to care for those needing assistance to remain in their own homes for longer. It was found that 68% of Australians wish to age within their own homes, meaning the demand for…

An interview with an Aged Care AIN

First published: June 2024 We are proud of our incredible nursing team, showing dedication day in and day out to the residents that they care for. Our aged care recruitment services are spread across Australia, providing staffing solutions on an ad-hoc, short term contract/block booking and permanent basis in metro, regional, rural and remote areas…

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…

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….

A complete guide to aged care qualifications and certification requirements 

First published: July 2025 There are many different roles within aged care, some of which require a higher degree of education and training. Getting the right aged care qualifications and certificates can support you in establishing a long and rewarding career in the field. They ensure you understand the safety, legal and ethical protocols to…

FIFO Nurse Salary Guide

FIFO nursing is a great opportunity to expand your experience and develop your skillset in rural and remote regions, delivering aged care services to communities living far from major population centres. It is not only a fantastic way to explore areas of Australia, but you can also earn an increased FIFO nurse salary to compensate…

6 steps to aged care compliance readiness

As Australia’s aged care landscape continues to evolve, compliance has never been more important. With the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards and the new Aged Care Act that came into effect on the 1 November 2025, providers must be confident that their workforce, systems and processes are up to standard. These obligations apply across residential…

Aged care reform roadmap explained

First published: May 2024 The Department of Health and Aged Care have set a three-year roadmap to introduce aged care reforms to improve services delivered to the elderly population. These changes are being implemented with the aim to ensure all resources are of high quality, easily accessible and beneficial to the older people of Australia,…