All careers

General Practice Nurse

General Practice Nurses provide primary health care in clinics and surgeries, assisting with patient assessments, treatments, and health education.

How do I become a general practice nurse

Get qualified to work as a general practice nurse with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.

Common questions

The average salary for General Practice Nurses is $1,350 per week ($70,200 per annum). These are median figures for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only.

Author Image Courses.com.au Team

There are 325,500 qualified nurses currently working in Australia, some of these are General Practice Nurses. Nursing is a growing occupation and there are plenty of emerging opportunities for nurses to work in general practice, particularly in rural and regional Australia. Increase your employability by undertaking training and endorsement with the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA).

Author Image Courses.com.au Team

To become a General Practice Nurse you must complete a Bachelor of Nursing, then apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. If you are serious about a career in general practice nursing, during the second and third year of your studies, complete your student nurse placement at a medical centre or aged care facility. Once you are a qualified Registered Nurse (RN) you should consider the Graduate Certificate in Primary Health Care Nursing and joining the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA).

Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights 2023

Author Image Courses.com.au Team

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

General Practice Nurse careers

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.