3 Types of Nursing Placements in Australia

Hello! I’m Atom Dek Nurse 👩‍⚕️ and today I’d love to share the 3 main types of placements that nursing students—especially in Graduate Entry programs—will experience in Australia!

Understanding the Graduate Entry Nursing Program

Graduate Entry programs are designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree. That means we skip Year 1 and jump straight into Year 2—confusing but exciting 😅. The program includes four placements:

• Year 2: Two placements, each 1 month long
• Year 3: Two placements, each 2 months long

First Placement: Aged Care Facility

The very first placement usually takes place in an aged care setting. For Year 1 students, it’s all about learning basic ADLs—like showering, feeding, and dressing clients. But as a Year 2 student, I got to perform wound care, medication administration, and more detailed patient assessments.

3 Placement Settings You’ll Experience

1️⃣ Metro Area

If you don’t make a preference, the university usually assigns placements based on your address. Students living in the city might be placed in suburban hospitals, and vice versa, to balance commute times. Metro placements are the most convenient—you often don’t need to move or book accommodation.

2️⃣ Rural Area

These placements are located in small towns, 1–4 hours away from major cities. Many students compete for rural spots in Year 2 since they’re only a month long and offer great experiences (plus extra points for future job applications!).

3️⃣ Remote Area

This includes places like the Northern Territory (NT), known for Aboriginal communities, natural landscapes—and crocodiles! 🐊 You need to apply separately, write a motivation letter, and can even choose your department. It's expensive, though—you'll need to fly there and complete extra paperwork, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I was the only one in my cohort to go!

My Personal Goal

I aim to complete all three types of placements to gain diverse experiences. Next year, I hope to tick off both metro and rural hospital placements. Bring it on!

Hope this gives you a clear picture of what to expect when planning your nursing studies in Australia. Let’s cheer each other on! 💙

#AtomDekNurse #nursingaustralia #thaistudentnurse #graduateentry

Frequently Asked Questions

How are the three placement types different?

Metro is city-based, rural is in small towns, and remote includes far-off regions like NT.

Are there extra costs involved?

Yes, rural and remote placements usually involve travel and accommodation expenses—especially remote, which may require flights.

How do I prepare for a remote placement in NT?

You need to apply separately via email, write a motivation statement, and complete extra documents (e.g. NT nursing license, background checks, vaccinations).

Does the university help with accommodation?

In some cases, yes—there may be support like discounts or suggestions. But most of the time, students must cover their own costs.

What skills can I gain from aged care placements?

You'll learn elderly care basics, wound care, vital signs monitoring, and build confidence before moving on to acute care settings.