General Practice Nurse

General Practice Nurses are qualified RNs who work in primary health care rather than hospitals. They are employed by medical centres, aged care facilities, community health clinics, doctor’s surgeries, and other primary health care agencies.

As a General Practice Nurse you could be checking a new patient’s core vital signs before a doctor’s consultation, delivering emergency first aid to a patient who has collapsed, immunising a child for measles, ordering replacement serum for travel vaccines, removing a dressing from a wound, helping a patient with a pregnancy test, carrying out a routine pap smear and breast examination, or adding notes to patient records after their annual check-up.

Future demand High
Average yearly income $70,200
Skill level Advanced

How do I become a general practice nurse?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced
HLT54121

Diploma of Nursing

On Campus
20 months
$14,779 - $31,000
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
HLTCAR001

Perform Electrocardiography (ECG)

On Campus
1 day
$250
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
HLT64121

Advanced Diploma of Nursing

Online
10 months
$6,400
  • Are employed as a Enrolled Nurse AND
  • Hold current registration as an enrolled nurse without notation with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au.
Additional requirements may apply.
  • Are employed as a Enrolled Nurse AND
  • Hold current registration as an enrolled nurse without notation with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au.
  • Hold current registration as an enrolled nurse without notation with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au.
Additional requirements may apply.

Master of Nursing

Blended, On Campus, Online
12 - 24 months
$0 - $56,000
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
10754NAT

Course in Immunisation Practice in Primary Healthcare

On Campus
1 day
$700
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
11030NAT

Course in Ear Wax Removal (Irrigation)

Traineeship
1 day
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
HLTSS00059

Venous Blood Collection Skill Set

Online
6 months
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.

Graduate Diploma of Health (Advanced Nursing)

Online
1 year
$4,627
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.

Graduate Certificate in Health (Advanced Nursing)

Online
6 months
$2,314
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

Related occupations

Common questions

Further reading

What can you do with a Diploma of Nursing?

2nd February 2021

Career Pathways for Graduates After Studying a Diploma of Nursing and a Bachelor of Nursing

4th October 2024

Why is Nursing a Good Career Choice in Australia?

25th November 2022