Wondering how long it actually takes to transition from an EN to RN in Australia, and what it may cost? This guide breaks down frequently asked questions about becoming a Registered Nurse in Australia, including university pathways, how much pay you can earn, and what to expect once you’re qualified.
Enrolled Nurses and Registered Nurses work side by side on the same wards every day, but their scope, pay, and training differ significantly.
Most ENs we speak to at Affinity Nursing about travel contract opportunities are often weighing up the same things: how much it costs, how long it takes and the challenges you may face when taking the Registered Nurse pathway.
This guide draws on the real questions Enrolled Nurses ask us most often, from Ahpra registration and university credit through to pay, cost, and what changes once you’re registered.
Read on for everything you need to know about making the move from EN to RN.
What is the difference between an Enrolled Nurse and a Registered Nurse?
Enrolled Nurses and Registered Nurses are both critical to the delivery of care across healthcare facilities in Australia. The key differences between these professions are:
- Enrolled Nurse (EN): Holds a Diploma of Nursing and works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, providing person-centred care such as monitoring vital signs, wound care, and administering medicines within their scope.
- Registered Nurse (RN): Holds a Bachelor of Nursing, works with greater clinical autonomy, and can assess, plan, and evaluate a full patient care plan independently.
Both professions can have incredibly rewarding and fulfilling roles, including working in travel agency contracts.
Benefits of transitioning from EN to RN
A lot of the ENs that Affinity speak to day-to-day pursue Enrolled Nursing given a quicker and more affordable pathway that can get them into work sooner. They may then explore the RN pathway for a variety of reasons, from seeking more autonomy to chasing a higher salary and specialty options.
Here are some of the key benefits of becoming an RN:
- Higher earning potential: The average RN typically earns 20 to 30% more than the average EN in Australia. The pay ceiling can increase substantially with further qualifications and experience down the line, such as becoming a Clinical Nurse (CN).
- Broader scope of practice: RNs assess, diagnose care needs, and plan and evaluate treatment independently, rather than working within the boundaries an EN operates under.
- Medication endorsement: Full medication administration authority, without needing any additional endorsement.
- Specialty roles: Access to specialist and postgraduate roles, including ICU, emergency, paediatric, mental health, and other specialty nursing areas.
- Leadership pathways: A clear path to leadership, such as a Nurse Unit Manager (NUM).
- Clinical independence: Greater autonomy and clinical decision-making responsibility in day-to-day patient care.
- Contract access: A wider range of roles and experiences available, such as agency and travel contracts, that are not typically available at EN level.
- Job security: Stronger job security, given the nursing shortage projected across Australia through the 2030s.
- More opportunities: A portable qualification that lets you work anywhere in Australia, and opens doors to nursing roles overseas.
Enrolled Nurse, Memory, on contract in VIC
What is the pathway from EN to RN in Australia?
The route from EN to RN follows a consistent structure across the country.
1. Confirm your Ahpra registration is current
You’ll need to be registered as an Enrolled Nurse (Division 2) without restriction to access most fast-track pathways and advanced standing.
2. Choose an accredited Bachelor of Nursing
Look for a course accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (Anmac). Most universities offer ENs advanced standing or credit for their Diploma of Nursing, reducing the standard three year degree down to two years full time.
3. Apply for advanced standing
Apply for advanced standing once you’ve received your letter of offer, which is generally required within a set window of 10 days.
4. Complete your clinical placement hours
Complete your placement hours, which is usually split into blocks of several weeks at a time. Placements typically start in the second semester and continue every semester after. The minimum of 800 hours equates to roughly five or six months of full time equivalent placement time.
5. Apply for registration as an RN
Once you’ve completed your studies, apply for registration as a Registered Nurse through Ahpra’s Online Services. The process of adding your division generally takes a few weeks, so it is best to submit this as soon as you finish your final placement.
6. Cease or select concurrent registration
You can hold registration as both an EN and an RN at the same time. If you’d rather cease your EN registration once you’re registered as an RN, you can select this as an option within your application.
What universities offer an RN degree pathway for ENs?
Most Australian universities that teach nursing offer an EN-entry pathway.
For example, at QUT, the Enrolled Nurse Pathway to a Bachelor of Nursing is either two years full time or four years part time, with a minimum of 800 clinical placement hours. If you have a current Ahpra registration and have completed your Enrolled Nurse Diploma within the last 10 years, you can receive one year of advanced standing.
Providers you can compare for your personal preferences include:
How much do Registered Nurses earn compared to Enrolled Nurses?
Pay is one of the main reasons ENs make the move to RN, and the gap is significant.
- Enrolled Nurses typically earn between $54,000 and $75,000 per year in Australia. Pay rates and annual salary will depend on your experience and if you’re qualified to administer medication.
- Registered Nurses typically earn an average of $85,000 per year, with senior and specialist RNs earning considerably more. Pay rates and annual salary tend to have a higher ceiling, due to the broader career progression available to RNs.
The pay rate and salary will differ significantly per role, dependent on your location, and sector. Rates can also vary noticeably between states and regions –the same role in a rural or remote area like Alice Springs may pay much higher than that of a metropolitan area like Darwin.
Can I study EN to RN online or part-time while working?
Yes. Universities generally build the EN-entry pathway around students who are already working.
- Part time study is offered by most providers. This route will stretch the course out to four years, so you can keep working consistent hours around your units.
- Online and blended delivery covers a good share of theory-based units at most universities, with clinical placement hours remaining in-person by necessity.
- Placement blocks will still need planning. You’ll need to arrange leave or reduced shifts around clinical placement periods, so it’s worth checking placement scheduling before you enrol.
- There are generally two intakes per year, which allows the flexibility to start when it best suits your work and life commitments.
Tips for making the transition from an EN to RN smoother
The transition from an Enrolled Nurse to a Registered Nurse can be challenging, as you may expect. Research and surveys on this study pathway have highlighted consistent pressure points that are worth knowing about in advance.
- Academic writing: A recent Australian study on the transition from EN to RN role found academic writing and referencing to be the top academic challenge for students. You may wish to brush up on skills such as report writing and referencing.
- Balancing workload: Given that many ENs continue to work while undergoing study, balancing work, study, and life is the top personal challenge. Arranging annual leave or study leave early, and being upfront with your employer about placement blocks can alleviate some headaches.
- Clinical placements: Placements as a registered nurse student differ from those as an enrolled nurse. Ask early for clarity on what your placement requires if you are unsure.
- Roles and responsibility: The responsibility shift can catch people off guard. As an RN, clinical decisions and their outcomes are yours to own. This is why some ENs who have completed the RN degree describe registration day as anticlimactic followed by your first real shift. Having this knowledge in advance can make your first few months a little easier.
Brittany on contract in the ACT
We’re ready when you are
Whether you’re an Enrolled Nurse or a Registered Nurse, travel contracts can open the doors to a rewarding career with more variety, independence and opportunities to travel across Australia.
If you have strong clinical experience, enjoy working in new environments, or are looking for a new challenge, agency nursing may be an exciting next step in your career.
Working as an agency nurse with Affinity can offer:
- Competitive contract packages
- A dedicated team who understands your preferences and goals
- A smooth paperwork and onboarding process
- In-house clinical educators for ongoing support and education
- Access to roles in every state and territory
Ready to get started with travel contracts? Join the community to see where nursing can take you.
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Frequently asked questions
To get started with agency placements, contact a travel contract company like Affinity Nursing. Different agencies may have different requirements and roles available, which you can check on their website.
Aged care and general medical settings typically see the strongest demand for EN agency contracts in regional and rural Australia.
Most facilities in regional and rural settings look for at least five years of full-time Enrolled Nurse experience, reflecting the level of clinical autonomy these roles require.
Agencies generally assess experience on a full-time equivalent basis, so it’s worth checking with your agency on how your specific hours are counted.
Keep building your profile through your years of experience and clinical area, then apply again when ready.
There are plenty of nursing jobs in metro, regional, rural and remote Australia. The number of roles may vary depending on clinical demand and the time of year.
The number of contracts you can do will vary depending on your clinical background and current facility demand. If back-to-back contracts are a priority for you, speak to your agency specialist for advice and recommendations on how to achieve this.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute career advice. Always consult a professional for advice specific to your situation.