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
Migration stories: From the Philippines to Australia

First published: February 2024 What moving overseas to Australia as a registered nurse looks like Australia is a very multicultural country and its nurses are from a range of different backgrounds. It is estimated that 40% of Australia’s registered nurses and aged carers were born overseas, with this number forecasted to grow in the coming…

2024 flu vaccination requirements in aged care in Australia

First published: July 2024 The Aged Care Quality Standards states that for the purpose of infection control, aged care providers and relevant organisations should promote the benefits of the influenza and coronavirus vaccinations for both their residents and staff. These vaccinations are to be renewed annually, adapting to each new strain of influenza. Key aims…

10 common aged care interview questions for PCAs 

First published: July 2025 Aged care interview questions for personal care assistants (PCAs) are designed to understand your skills, experience and motivations for working in the sector.  In this article, we share 10 common aged care interview questions for PCAs, along with examples of how to answer them. Considering these questions ahead of your interview…

The resilience of the aged care industry

First published: October 2023 How to overcome aged care hidden hurdles “The staff were the most vital asset in this situation, the power of the team really shone through during this time” Being part of the world of aged care usually means your general workday is fast-paced and constantly changing, but we often know what…

PALM Scheme Cohort of 2024 graduation!

First published: May 2025 On 10th May 2025, our Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme cohort of 38 participants graduated with a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) from Alphacrucis University College. After an 18-week course with a four-week placement in Harts Nursing Home and Father Law Home in Suva, Fiji, our participants transitioned to…

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…

Shining a spotlight on female leadership in aged care

First published: March 2024 A background to women in leadership The aged care industry is dominated by female workers, with 86% of the RAC workforce (direct care workers) identifying as female. Despite this overwhelming percentage, female leadership positions are still low in comparison to men, with women CEOs making up 19% across all industries. Females…

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…

Aged care bill passes parliament

First published: November 2024 In line with the Once in a Generation aged care reform that was announced in September, on the 25th November 2024, the Albanese government has passed the aged care bill allowing for elderly Australians to have access to better aged care services and delivery. The Royal Commission into Aged Care and…

Care minutes in residential aged care

First published: November 2024 As part of the aged care reform roadmap, the Department of Health and Aged Care are making changes to the number of direct care minutes a resident in residential aged care receives each day from a clinical aged care worker. As of 2023, it sat at 200 minutes per day with…