Nurses are in demand across the world, and the UK, US, Australia, and Canada are four of the most common destinations for international nurses. Each country offers professional opportunities, but they differ in healthcare systems, pay, benefits, climate, housing, and lifestyle.
This guide is written to provide a practical comparison to help nurses considering a move abroad make informed choices.
Education and Registration
- United Kingdom (UK)
Nurses complete a three-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing in one of four fields: Adult, Child, Mental Health, or Learning Disability. Nursing Associates train for two years. Regulation is through the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). - United States (US)
Nurses enter through an Associate Degree in Nursing (two years), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (four years), or diploma programs, followed by the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. Regulation is state-based via State Boards of Nursing. - Australia
Pathways include a Diploma (Enrolled Nurse) or a Bachelor of Nursing (Registered Nurse). Regulation is via the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). - Canada
Nurses generally require a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to practice as a Registered Nurse. Provinces also license Licensed/Registered Practical Nurses (LPNs/RPNs). Regulation is provincial, for example, through the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) or the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
Where to Find Jobs
- UK: TRAC Jobs, NHS Jobs, and individual NHS Trust websites.
- US: Indeed, Nurse.com, and hospital career pages.
- Australia: Seek, Health Times, and state health job boards such as NSW Health.
- Canada: Healthcare Jobs Canada, Health Force Ontario, and provincial websites.
Pay and Cost of Living
- UK
Newly qualified nurses (Band 5) earn £28,000–£34,000, with those working in London weighting (earning a bit extra allowance anually) of ~£4,000. Band 7 Matrons earn £43,000–£52,000.
Rent for a one-bed flat is around £1,000–£2,000 in London and £800–£1,000 in Manchester. - US
Registered Nurses earn $70,000–$120,000+, with Nurse Practitioners often earning $120,000–$160,000+.
Rent is $3,000–$4,000 in New York City but $1,200–$1,800 in Houston. - Australia
Registered Nurses earn A$70,000–A$95,000, often exceeding A$100,000 with shift penalties. Nurse Unit Managers (NUMs) and Clinical Nurse Consultants (CNCs) earn A$110,000–A$130,000+.
Rent is A$2,500–A$3,000 in Sydney and A$2,000–A$2,500 in Melbourne. - Canada
Registered Nurses earn C$70,000–C$100,000, with Nurse Practitioners earning up to C$140,000.
Rent is C$2,300–C$3,000 in Toronto and Vancouver but C$1,200–C$1,600 in Calgary or Ottawa.
Maternity and Family Benefits
- UK
Up to 52 weeks of maternity leave. NHS entitlement is 8 weeks full pay, 18 weeks half pay plus Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), 13 weeks SMP only, and 13 weeks unpaid. SMP is ~£184/week. Childcare in cities is ~£1,000/month. - US
No federal paid maternity leave. Employers may offer 6–12 weeks unpaid or partial pay. Costs of pregnancy and childbirth depend on insurance. Childcare is $1,200–$2,000/month in cities. - Australia
Government Paid Parental Leave currently provides 20 weeks at the national minimum wage (~A$882/week), with many public employers topping up to full pay. Childcare costs around A$1,500+/month in cities. - Canada
15 weeks maternity leave plus 40 weeks parental leave (at ~55% pay) or 69 weeks at 33% pay, through Employment Insurance. Employers may top up. Childcare is C$1,200–C$1,800/month, though some provinces subsidise heavily.
Seasons and Climate
- UK: Mild but damp. Winters are 0–8°C, summers 18–28°C. Snow is uncommon outside Scotland.
- US: Highly variable. New York has snowy winters and hot summers; California has mild winters and dry summers; Texas and Florida have very hot summers.
- Australia: Opposite seasons to the UK and US. Summers are hot, winters mild. Sydney is warm, Melbourne is changeable.
- Canada: Long, snowy winters in most provinces. Toronto can be −10°C to −20°C in January, while Vancouver is milder but rainy. Summers are short but warm.
Common Additional Bills
- UK: Council tax £100–£250/month, utilities £150–£250, London transport ~£180/month.
- US: Health insurance $300–$700/month, car insurance $100–$200, utilities $150–$250.
- Australia: Utilities A$200–300, car registration and insurance A$150–200, internet A$60–90.
- Canada: Utilities C$150–250 (higher in winter), car insurance C$120–200, condo fees/property tax for homeowners.
Career Progression
- UK: Structured NHS bands. Progression from HCSW to Nursing Associate, RN, Band 6/7, ACP or Consultant.
- US: RN to APRN (NP, CNS, CRNA, CNM). Nurse Practitioners in many states practice independently.
- Australia: Enrolled Nurse to RN, then Clinical Nurse, Nurse Unit Manager (NUM), or Nurse Practitioner.
- Canada: LPN/RPN to RN to NP. Unionised progression with clear pay steps.
Cheapest Places to Live
- UK: Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds. Rent ~£800–1,000. Good hospitals and culture, but lower salaries and weaker transport than London.
- US: Texas (Houston, Dallas), Midwest cities. RN pay ~$80–90k with rent ~$1,200–1,800. Lower taxes but hot summers and car dependency.
- Australia: Adelaide, Perth, regional towns. 20–30% cheaper than Sydney, with relaxed lifestyle. Fewer tertiary hospitals and distance from major hubs.
- Canada: Calgary, Ottawa, Halifax. Rent C$1,200–1,600 with RN pay C$80k+. Family-friendly, but winters are harsh and tertiary hospitals fewer than in Toronto.
Special Case: UK Band 7 Matron Moving to Australia
UK Band 7 nurses often ask whether they can move directly into a Matron role in Australia. While the title “Matron” does not exist, equivalent posts include:
- NUM (Nurse Unit Manager): Similar to a Matron or Ward Manager, leading a ward/unit, managing staff, budgets, and quality.
- CNC (Clinical Nurse Consultant): Similar to a Clinical Nurse Specialist, focusing on advanced practice in a specialty.
Steps required:
- Register with AHPRA as a Division 1 Registered Nurse.
- Prepare your portfolio of Band 7 leadership and management experience.
- Apply for NUM/CNC posts — some employers may ask you to begin as an RN and move into management once established.
Pay comparison:
- UK Band 7: £43k–52k.
- Australia NUM/CNC: A$110k–130k (£57k–68k).
Pros and Cons at a Glance
- UK
Pros: NHS ethos, structured bands, generous leave length.
Cons: Pay vs rent is tight; maternity pay drops after 6 months. - US
Pros: High salaries, Nurse Practitioners can practice independently, flexible options like travel nursing.
Cons: No universal maternity leave, healthcare costs, expensive housing in top cities. - Australia
Pros: Strong salaries, penalty rates for shifts, outdoor lifestyle, NUM/CNC opportunities for senior UK nurses.
Cons: Sydney and Melbourne are expensive; geographic distance from family abroad. - Canada
Pros: Public healthcare, family-friendly parental leave, stable unionised environment.
Cons: Harsh winters, high housing costs in Toronto and Vancouver.
Conclusion
Choosing where to move as a nurse depends not only on salary, but also on lifestyle, maternity benefits, climate, rent, and opportunities for progression.
- The UK offers stability and family leave, but pay is modest compared with costs.
- The US provides high earning potential and autonomy, but benefits depend on employers.
- Australia balances good pay, lifestyle, and opportunities, especially for senior nurses from the UK.
- Canada combines stability and public healthcare with strong parental leave, though winters are severe.
Disclaimer
This post is intended as a general guide for nurses comparing the UK, US, Australia, and Canada. Pay rates, benefits, visa rules, and job opportunities vary by employer, state, and province, and may change over time.
This guide will be updated regularly to keep it relevant and practical. We encourage readers to leave comments or questions — we will aim to answer them and expand the post to make it as useful and comprehensive as possible.
