Perioperative, anaesthetic technicians, scrub & recovery theatre nurses
When you work as a Theatre Nurse with HCA, you’re choosing a secure and flexible career with a strong work-life balance. Choose when and where you want to work, in any State or Territory of Australia, because we offer the largest range of nursing shifts of any agency.
Theatre roles include perioperative scrub nursing, anaesthetic team support and recovery care duties. HCA has roles to fit your qualifications and interests, from large public hospitals to boutique private clinics. Search our Theatre Nursing roles here or register your interest below and learn how to become a theatre nurse or explore a broader range of opportunities.
Step into a critical role at the heart of surgical care. Theatre nurses — across scrub, scout, anaesthetics and recovery — keep procedures running safely and efficiently, supporting both patients and surgical teams.
Scrub nurses work directly with surgeons, managing instruments and sterile techniques. Scout nurses coordinate activity outside the sterile zone, ensuring seamless communication and access to equipment. Anaesthetic and recovery nurses focus on patient safety before and after surgery, monitoring vitals, managing medication and responding to clinical needs.
If you thrive in high-pressure, high-impact environments, theatre nursing offers a rewarding career with diverse roles across Australia’s top hospitals and private clinics.
Theatre nurse pay in Australia varies depending on factors such as state, level of experience, facility type, and role seniority. Perioperative and surgical nurses may earn higher rates due to the specialised skills and expertise required, particularly in fast-paced or high-acuity environments.
Earning potential can also be influenced by shift patterns, with overtime, weekend loadings, and after-hours allowances commonly available. Nurses working in senior or specialist roles—such as theatre educators, team leaders, or charge nurses—may access higher remuneration opportunities. Rural and remote hospitals may also offer additional incentives and allowances to attract experienced theatre staff.
With HCA’s 48-hour QuickPay system and award-based rates accessible through our eHCA App, theatre nurses can enjoy faster access to pay with full transparency and confidence.
Want the latest salary insights?
Download our 2026 Salary Guide to access up-to-date pay trends, industry insights, and detailed breakdowns by role, location, and specialty.
Thinking of bringing your theatre nursing skills to Australia? Healthcare Australia supports overseas-trained nurses looking to work across leading hospitals, specialist clinics and surgical centres.
To work as a theatre nurse in Australia, you’ll need:
We help streamline the process, from guiding you through how to become a theatre nurse in Australia to matching you with jobs that align with your experience and goals. Whether you’re interested in city-based placements or rural hospital work, HCA offers flexibility, competitive theatre nurse salary rates and nationwide shift availability.
From short-term working holidays to permanent relocation, we make the move easier, supporting you at every step.
Take control of your schedule with flexible contract options tailored to your lifestyle. Healthcare Australia offers casual shifts, short-term placements, long-term roles and block bookings across metro, regional and remote locations. Pick up extra shifts or commit to full-time placements — our team connects you with opportunities that suit your goals. With national coverage and personalised support, you can build a career that fits around your life. Plus, enjoy competitive theatre nurse pay and fast access to your earnings with our QuickPay system.
From large tertiary hospitals to boutique day surgery centres, Healthcare Australia offers access to a wide range of clinical environments where you can apply and grow your perioperative skills. Our agency partners with major public and private hospitals, specialist surgical centres, rural and remote health services and fast-paced metro theatres.
Choose to work in high-acuity surgical suites, elective day theatres, recovery units or regional facilities where your impact goes further. With shifts available nationwide — including in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and regional hubs — you can build a varied and rewarding career on your terms. And with competitive agency rates, your experience can translate to one of the highest theatre nurse salary packages in Australia.
Explore new specialties, expand your scope or simply find roles that align with your lifestyle, whether you’re looking for consistent hours or the flexibility of agency nursing.
HCA offers you the opportunity to work in a variety of operating theatres, anaesthetic and recovery areas within the country’s top hospitals and private clinics. You may be a specialist Perioperative Nurse searching for a sea-change or looking for extra shifts in a surgical admissions lounge, main theatres, recovery or day surgery. Whatever you’re looking for, we have roles for all types of Theatre staff. Search our latest Scrub & Theatre Nurse jobs below.
Great pay rates across every facility
Flexibility to pick and choose shifts with our award winning eHCA App
48-hour QuickPay services for completed shifts
Allied with every theatre staffing role including scrub, anaesthetic, recovery and perioperative roles
Ongoing clinical and management support to help you grow professionally
Search our theatre nurse roles here or register your interest below to receive personalised job alerts.
Healthcare Australia acknowledges and pays respect to the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and work across Australia; we pay our respects to the elders, past, present and emerging. We encourage our staff and clients to join us wherever they are in Australia by being informed about whose land they are on and paying their respects.