As an agency nurse, you have the freedom to work when and where you want. With HCA, you could work in a city like Sydney, Melbourne, or Perth or out in a regional or remote area such as Cairns, Broome or Cape York.
We provide more shifts than any other nursing agency, with over 1,500 shifts available daily across Australia. Alongside the flexibility to tailor your schedule, agency nurse salaries are highly competitive, with opportunities to earn more for night shifts, weekends and rural placements. If you are looking for the flexibility that comes with working for Australia’s leading health care agency and the reliability of more shifts, register with us below or start searching for agency nursing jobs now!
What is an agency nurse?
Agency nurses work on a temporary, contract or casual basis, filling shifts at hospitals, aged care facilities, clinics and other healthcare providers. Unlike full-time hospital staff, agency nurses have the flexibility to choose when and where they work, making it an attractive option for those seeking better work-life balance and variety in their roles.
One of the biggest advantages of agency nursing is competitive pay. Agency nurse salaries can vary based on experience, location and shift type, with higher rates for night shifts, weekends and rural placements. Many nurses also explore roles with higher agency RN pay rates, particularly in high-demand specialties like ICU, mental health and aged care. This flexibility, combined with strong earning potential, makes agency nursing a rewarding career choice.
At Healthcare Australia (HCA), we connect agency nurses with thousands of shifts daily across public and private healthcare facilities. With competitive agency nurse salaries and access to 1,500+ shifts every day, we provide nurses with more opportunities to earn and grow their careers. Gain access to a steady flow of work without long-term commitments.
Agency nurses perform the same core duties as permanent nursing staff, but have the flexibility to work in different locations and specialities. Responsibilities can vary depending on the facility, but they generally include:
- Providing direct patient care, including administering medication and monitoring vital signs.
- Assisting with medical procedures and supporting doctors and allied health professionals.
- Responding to emergencies and ensuring high-quality patient outcomes.
- Adapting quickly to different hospital protocols and patient management systems.
- Supporting aged care residents, mental health patients or those in critical care settings.
Because agency nurses work across different healthcare environments, a strong agency nurse resume should highlight adaptability, clinical expertise and experience in various settings. Showcasing specialties such as ICU, aged care, mental health or ER nursing can help secure higher-paying shifts and in-demand placements. Explore the available agency nursing jobs to find a role that suits your skills and interests.
Skills and experience required in agency nursing
To work as an agency nurse in Australia, you need a strong agency nurse resume that highlights your qualifications, skills and experience.
Essential qualifications
- Nursing registration — You must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
- Relevant nursing qualifications — A Bachelor of Nursing (BN), Diploma of Nursing (for enrolled nurses) or equivalent qualification is required.
Key skills for agency nursing
- Adaptability — Quickly adjusting to different healthcare settings and protocols.
- Clinical competence — Strong assessment, medication administration and patient care skills.
- Communication — Clear, professional interaction with patients, families and multidisciplinary teams.
- Time management — Managing multiple tasks efficiently in high-pressure environments.
- Confidence in independent practice — The ability to work autonomously with minimal supervision.
Additional certifications
Depending on your specialty, you may need:
- Advanced Life Support (ALS) or Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
- National Police Clearance and Working With Children Check.
- Specialty training for ICU, mental health, aged care or remote nursing.
Agency nurse salary expectations in Australia
Agency nursing offers competitive pay rates, with salaries varying based on specialty, experience and location. Factors such as shift type, workplace demand, and regional placement can significantly influence earning potential, making agency nursing an attractive option for those seeking flexibility and financial rewards.
- Day shifts: $40 – $55 per hour.
- Evening shifts: $50 – $70 per hour, reflecting increased demand for after-hours care.
- Weekend & Public Holidays: $60 – $100+ per hour, offering premium rates for shifts during peak demand periods.
- Remote & Rural Assignments: Higher pay rates are available, often exceeding $100 per hour, with additional benefits such as travel and accommodation allowances.
Specialties often attract higher agency RN pay rates due to the advanced skills and expertise required. Nurses who take on rural and remote assignments also benefit from unique opportunities to explore Australia while earning competitive compensation and gaining valuable professional experience.
Why become an agency nurse with HCA
More shifts than any other nursing agency - 1,500 shifts available daily across Australia
Our eHCA App gives you access to all available shifts and you can manage your availability
Training and education courses to develop your professional skills and earn CPD points
QuickPay service to receive payment within 48 hours of a shift
Our App notifies you of nursing shifts that match your criteria, allows you to confirm shifts, submit timesheets, checkout payslips and more- all 24/7 via the App. Find out more about the eHCA App.
Specialties
Some of the nursing specialties we can help you with include:
- Accident and Emergency (A & E)
- Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD)
- Gynecology and Obstetrics
- Mental Health Nursing
- Ophthalmic Nursing
- Palliative Care Nursing
- Pulmonary Care Nursing
- Theatre & Recovery
- Acute Care Nursing
- Community Health Nursing
- Educators & Facilitators
- Hematology and Oncology
- Midwifery and Neo-Natal Nursing
- Orthopedic Nursing
- Perioperative Nursing
- Radiology Nursing
- Triage Nursing
- Aged Care Nursing
- Critical Care Nursing
- Forensic & Correctional Nursing
- High Acuity
- Nursing Management
- Pediatric Nursing
- Plastic Surgery
- Remote Area Nursing (RAN)
- Trauma Nursing
- Cardiac Care Nursing
- Dental Nursing
- General Medical & Surgical Nursing
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
- Occupational Health
- Pain Management
- Psychiatry
- Scrub Nursing
- Urology Nursing
Regional, Rural and Remote Lifestyle
Working in rural and remote locations around Australia can open up great career opportunities and be extremely rewarding. When you work R&R you have the opportunity to truly make a difference, by helping to improve the health and lives of Australians living in areas where they are limited by their geographic proximity to healthcare facilities. These roles not only provide the chance to work with diverse cultures and make a real impact, but also offer competitive agency nurse salaries, particularly in high-demand areas. Remote nursing often comes with additional benefits, including higher pay rates, travel allowances and accommodation support. With placements available in Northern Queensland, Townsville, Port Hedland, Port Lincoln or Mackay, agency nurses can experience a one-of-a-kind lifestyle while advancing their careers.
Visit our Rural and Remote Facebook page and start your RANing adventure today!
How to become an agency nurse at HCA
Step 1: Register with AHPRA
All nurses in Australia must hold a valid registration with the AHPRA. If you’re new to nursing or moving to Australia, apply for registration and confirm that your qualifications meet national standards.
Step 2: Gain clinical experience
Most agency nursing roles require at least one year of post-graduate clinical experience in a hospital, aged care facility or other healthcare setting. Develop strong foundational skills in patient care, medication administration and emergency response to build your agency nurse resume.
Step 3: Join HCA’s nursing agency
Register with us to access 1,500+ daily shifts across hospitals, aged care and community health settings. Our recruitment team helps you find shifts that match your skills, schedule and career goals.
Step 4: Complete compliance checks
We make the recruitment process easy by guiding you through:
- AHPRA registration verification
- Vaccination and immunisation records
- Police and Working With Children checks
- Any specialty certifications needed for your field
Step 5: Start booking shifts with HCA
Once you’re registered, use the eHCA App to browse and book shifts in real time. Set your availability, receive job alerts and manage timesheets — all from your phone.
“HCA is a nursing agency that we both recommend as often as we can. From the moment the first that we contacted them, HCA were so helpful, supportive, and provided an excellent service., We’ve had a very positive experience as Agency Nurses and HCA have enabled us to go to some beautiful locations across Australia because of their widespread national scope.”
