Overseas Jobs for Filipino Nurses and Doctors: The Growing Demand for Medical Workers in Oceania
The demand for medical workers in Oceania, specifically in Australia, has increased over the past years. This presents a great career opportunity for Filipino nurses, who are known for their expertise, adaptability, and commitment to primary patient care. And because of these qualities, the Filipino healthcare professionals become highly in-demand worldwide.
Australia’s healthcare system still suffers from severe workforce shortages 5 years after the pandemic. But in response, the government started a program to make it easier for registered nurses from certain countries to register.
The Demand for Filipino Healthcare Workers in Oceania Countries.
Filipinos are known for their cultural adaptability, strong work ethic, and English proficiency. Qualities that make them valuable across industries. In healthcare, these traits are even more needed. But beyond skills and training, the real driver of demand is the global shortage of medical professionals, especially in Oceania.
Let’s zoom in on one country where this shortage is most urgent: Australia.
Filipinos in the Healthcare Industry of Australia
Australia’s healthcare system has been under increasing pressure, especially after the pandemic hit. The aging population is also creating a higher demand for medical services, leading for its workforce to continously shrink.
A TESDA study highlighted how this demographic shift is now one of the country’s most pressing challenges.
“With perceptions of widespread and increasing workforce shortages, the inevitable impacts on patient care are being exposed.” – Segal & Bolton
Why Australia Needs Filipino Nurses Now
More Australians are reaching retirement age and requiring long-term medical care.
Healthcare institutions struggle to keep pace with demand.
Without more healthcare professionals, wait times and treatment gaps increase.
What This Means for Healthcare Filipino Workers
If you’re a Filipino nurse or doctor considering overseas work, Australia’s demand can open doors to:
- Competitive salaries and benefits
- Career growth in world-class hospitals
- A pathway to permanent residency
Next, let’s explore how Australia’s healthcare shortage has opened opportunities for Filipino health workers.
Shortage of Healthcare Workers in Australia
Despite being widely regarded as having the best healthcare systems in the world, developed countries in Oceania still face a growing shortage of healthcare workers.
According to a 2023 Skills Priority List (SPL) report, a severe shortage of healthcare professionals in Australia has risen by 82 percent in that year alone. The medical roles were identified as:
General Practice
Mental Health Professional
Registered Nurse
Allied Health Professional
5 Healthcare Workforce Challenges in Australia That Drive the Need for International Medical Professionals
Aging Population Requiring Primary Care
As previously mentioned in the earliest part of this blog, Australia’s population drives up the demand for healthcare services. In 2024, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reported that there were over 2 million people aged 60 and above. With the aging population continuing to rise, this number is expected to grow even more by 2030.
Burnout Among Healthcare Workers
The pandemic revealed and worsened the stress faced by health care professionals. Long hours, emotional strain, and lack of support have caused high burnout rates, pushing many workers to leave the field.
Training Gaps
Limited slots in medical professional development and nursing schools, combined with long qualification periods, slow down the progress in the healthcare industry. A study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the need to scale up and strengthen the quality of health workforce education and training to address the global gap for health workers.
Rural Shortages
Shortages are worse in rural and remote areas, where fewer healthcare workers are willing to work. Limited resources, professional isolation, and fewer career growth opportunities make these regions harder to staff.
Immigration Hurdles
Australia has long relied on skilled migration to fill healthcare gaps. But recent immigration policy changes, along with global competition for medical workers, have weakened this approach.
Australia’s Healthcare Worker Shortage Opens Doors for International Nurses
With a limited medical workforce, achieving full healthcare coverage has become a major challenge in Australia. To address this, the government began recruiting nurses internationally.
This led to the introduction of the Streamlined Registration Pathway for Internationally Qualified Nurses (IQRNs) by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
“Nurses from the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Singapore, Spain, and specific provinces in Canada will now have an easier pathway to securing registration in Australia.”
Australia’s decision to streamline the registration pathway for medical professionals from selected countries was rolled out in March 2025. This initiative aims to strengthen their healthcare workforce through a more efficient registration process.
The goal is to strengthen the country’s healthcare system and establish a collaborative approach involving a DMW-accredited agency, healthcare institutions, a manpower provider, and professional associations.
But where do Filipino healthcare professionals stand if the Philippines is not included in the list?
What This New Policy Means for Filipino Medical Workers
While the Philippines is not yet included in the list of eligible countries, Filipino healthcare workers still have opportunities. However, it’s important to understand both the challenges and potential benefits.
Australia’s Growing Healthcare Workforce Shortage
AIHW reports that the demand for health services is rising faster than the growth of the workforce. Aside from an aging population, the increasing number of chronic conditions among Australians increases the pressure.
In addition to this, Tunstall Healthcare in Australia identified the following key statistics to consider as part of the scale of the shortage:
- Rural and remote areas will have up to 50 percent fewer healthcare professionals than urban centres
- Currently, Australia has a shortage of 100,000 nurses
- By 2030, the shortage of medical professionals is expected to rise to 123,000.
The Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) predicted that the skills shortage in aged care will hit 400,000 by 2040.
A Quick Guideline on the Requirements for Working Abroad
Grab opportunities internationally with no hassle by securing the following requirements for working abroad.
READ MOREBest Oceania Country for Filipino Nurses
In Oceania, Australia and New Zealand stand out as top destinations for Filipino nurses. Both countries need medical professionals to improve their healthcare systems, which means more doors are opening for international recruitment.
Additionally, the Filipino healthcare workers in Oceania are valued not only for their clinical skills but also for their cultural adaptability in diverse workplaces.
For example, Jessa Menor, a registered nurse from the Philippines, has brought her expertise to Australia. In a recent interview with the Filipino UK Nurse, she highlighted three positive aspects of working as a nurse in the country:
Nursing in Australia follows evidence-based methods that keep pace with medical advancements.
Healthcare institutions place great importance on collaboration and support among staff.
With fewer patients to handle, nurses can spend more time delivering high-quality care.
Meanwhile, the United States and the United Kingdom attract Filipino professionals with competitive salaries, structured career progression, and advanced healthcare technologies.
All countries mentioned above provide more structured career pathways and opportunities for permanent migration.
Filipino Nurses in Australia: Career Growth and Salary
According to the mentioned interview, the average salary for a nurse in Australia is around $74,000 AUD per year (gross). However, earnings can vary depending on the state and whether a nurse has advanced to a managerial role.
It’s also worth noting that the costs involved in pursuing this career path can be very high. Still, with proper planning, it remains achievable.
💡 Helpful Tip for Aspiring Australian Registered Nurses:
Do thorough research and make sure you have enough funds before starting your journey.
What makes Australia particularly attractive is not only the pay but also the career progression opportunities. Filipino nurses can specialize, take on advanced training, and even pursue permanent residency, making migration a long-term investment for themselves and their families.
The Role of a DMW-Accredited Recruitment Agency for Filipino Medical Workers in Oceania
For those planning to work abroad, choosing the right recruitment agency is just as important as choosing the destination. A DMW-accredited agency for Filipino medical workers, like Great Ways Manpower International, ensures compliance with government standards, proper documentation, and worker protection.
Following DMW guidelines not only protects Filipino healthcare workers from illegal recruitment but also ensures safer and more transparent deployment. This structured support system helps you as an overseas worker to transition smoothly into your career abroad while ensuring you exercise your rights safely.
Conclusion
As the demand for healthcare grows, Filipino medical workers remain in high demand, showing that their skills, dedication, and compassion reach across borders.
Australia’s aging population needs more medical care, long-term support, and specialized services, which puts pressure on Oceania’s healthcare workforce. Filipino nurses and doctors help fill these gaps. They are capable of providing primary care in understaffed facilities and strengthening healthcare systems worldwide.
For those wanting to follow this path, the safest way is to work with DMW-accredited recruitment agencies. These agencies guide workers through legal and safe processes for successful overseas employment.
Are you Ready to Take Your Medical Career into Oceania?
Ready to take your healthcare skills abroad? With the right support and a lot of dedication, you can open the door to better career opportunities and higher earnings. Great Ways, a DMW-accredited agency, is here to guide you every step of the way.
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