Nursing and Social Work continue to dominate Australia’s skilled migration pathways — two of the most reliable and rewarding career routes for international students pursuing permanent residency (PR). Meanwhile, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Practitioner has officially entered the skilled occupation list, creating a brand-new migration pathway.
🩺 1. Nursing — High Salary & Strong PR Prospects
Nursing remains one of the most stable and in-demand professions in Australia’s migration system. Whether through a Bachelor of Nursing or Master’s conversion program, graduates enjoy both high employability and clear PR outcomes.
Option 1: Bachelor of Nursing
- Duration: 3 years
- Tuition: AUD 30,000–40,000 per year (≈ ¥150,000–200,000 RMB/year)
- Total Cost: ≈ ¥450,000–600,000 RMB。Ideal for: High school graduates / Bachelor’s degree switchers
- Intakes: February, July
(If academic scores are average, a 1-year foundation or pathway course may be required.)
English Requirements (strict):
- IELTS Academic 7.0 (Reading 7, Writing 6.5, Listening 7, Speaking 7)
- or PTE 66 (each band ≥56)
Key Advantages:
✅ Low visa risk: approval rate up to 90% for applicants with no gap
✅ Postgraduate Work Visa: 2-year stay after graduation
✅ PR-friendly: on the long-term skilled occupation list (189/190 eligible)
✅ High salary: average AU$30/hour (≈ ¥150),
night-shift nurses up to AU$45/hour (≈ ¥225)
Recommended Master’s Programs:
| University | Program | Intake | Entry Requirements |
| University of Melbourne | Master of Nursing Science | Jan | Any Bachelor background |
| University of Queensland | Master of Nursing Studies | Feb | Any Bachelor degree |
| Monash University | Master of Nursing Practice | Feb/Jul | Any Bachelor + Anatomy/Physiology prerequisites |
| University of Adelaide | Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) | Jul | Any Bachelor + Anatomy/Physiology prerequisites |
| Charles Darwin University | Master of Nursing Practice | Feb | Health/Science-related degree |
| Southern Cross University | Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) | Jan | Non-nursing degree + GPA 5.0 + physiology courses |
💬 2. Social Work — Healing Others, Empowering Yourself
For those passionate about psychology, education, or community service, Social Work offers a meaningful career with strong migration prospects.社工专业将是你实现职业价值与移民目标的理想选择。
- Duration: 2 years (Master of Social Work)
- Tuition: AUD 35,000–40,000 per year
- English Requirement: IELTS Academic 7 (each band ≥6.5)
- Entry: Any Bachelor degree + humanities/social science foundation
Advantages:
✅ Long-term skilled occupation (eligible for 189/190)
✅ Broad career options — government, counseling, education, healthcare, NGOs
✅ Average salary: AU$75,000–90,000/year (≈ ¥350,000–450,000 RMB)
✅ High social value and strong job satisfaction
🌿 3. Traditional Chinese Medicine Joins the Skilled List!
Australia has officially added Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (TCM) to its Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). This marks a new era of recognition for Eastern medicine and creates fresh migration opportunities.
- Eligible for 189/491 skilled visas and 186 employer sponsorship
- Assessing authority: Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (CMBA)
- Must complete an approved TCM program in Australia and obtain registration
The inclusion of TCM reflects Australia’s growing recognition of holistic healthcare, giving more medical and health science graduates new PR pathways.
🔍 Migration Trend: Healthcare & Human Services Dominate the Next DecadeWith ongoing workforce shortages in healthcare and the rising prominence of traditional medicine, health-related fields — nursing, social work, and TCM — are set to remain the golden pathways to Australian PR over the next decade.
