Health Courses in Australia (CRICOS 2026): Real Programs, Costs, and Career Paths

Posted by CRICOS Guides Editorial Team April 14, 2026

Health courses in Australia CRICOS 2026 nursing aged care students training

Health-related courses are one of the most structured and in-demand segments in the Australian CRICOS system. Unlike generic fields, these programs are tightly regulated and often linked to real career pathways.

Below is a data-driven overview based on actual CRICOS listings (April 2026 dataset).

1. Entry-Level (VET): Fastest Way Into Healthcare

These are the most practical and affordable options.

Example from CRICOS:

▸ Diploma of Nursing

What this leads to:

  • Enrolled Nurse pathway
  • Entry into hospitals and aged care

Key insight:

This is one of the most direct and popular entry points into the Australian healthcare system.

2. Bachelor-Level: Licensed Professions

These programs are required for regulated careers.

Example from CRICOS:

▸ Bachelor of Chiropractic Science

What this leads to:

  • Licensed chiropractor (with further requirements)

Key insight:

Higher entry requirements, but clear professional outcome.

3. Master-Level: Specialisation and Career Upgrade

This is the largest segment in the health category for international students.

Real examples from your database:

▸ Master of Clinical Audiology

  • Institution: Macquarie University
  • CRICOS Code: 027373D
  • Duration: 104 weeks (~2 years)
  • Tuition: AUD 129,500

▸ Master of Speech and Language Pathology

  • Institution: Macquarie University
  • CRICOS Code: 037303B
  • Duration: 104 weeks
  • Tuition: AUD 129,500

▸ Master of Surgery

  • Institution: Macquarie University
  • CRICOS Code: 060661K
  • Duration: 104 weeks
  • Tuition: AUD 40,000

▸ Master of Advanced Medicine

  • Institution: Macquarie University
  • CRICOS Code: 070505F
  • Duration: 52 weeks (~1 year)
  • Tuition: AUD 20,000

▸ Master of Advanced Surgery

  • Institution: Macquarie University
  • CRICOS Code: 060660M
  • Duration: 52 weeks
  • Tuition: AUD 20,000

4. High-End Professional Programs

These are among the most expensive and intensive options.

Example:

▸ Doctor of Physiotherapy

  • Institution: Macquarie University
  • CRICOS Code: 075265K
  • Duration: 156 weeks (~3 years)
  • Tuition: AUD 196,900

Key insight:

  • Extended Master-level qualification
  • Required for full physiotherapy practice

5. What the Data Shows (Important Patterns)

1. Huge price gap

From your dataset:

  • Entry level: ~AUD 30k total
  • Master programs: AUD 20k → 130k
  • Professional degrees: up to ~AUD 200k

2. Duration is predictable

  • 52 weeks → short postgraduate
  • 104 weeks → standard Master
  • 156 weeks → Bachelor / extended Master

3. Strong concentration of programs in universities

Example:

Macquarie University alone offers multiple specialized health Master programs:

  • Audiology
  • Speech pathology
  • Surgery
  • Medicine

4. Not all courses lead to licensing

Critical distinction:

Course Type Outcome
Diploma of Nursing Entry-level clinical role
Master of Audiology Specialist career
Master of Surgery Academic/professional upgrade
Doctor of Physiotherapy Licensed profession

6. How to Choose (Based on Real Data)

Step 1 — Define goal

  • Fast job → Diploma (e.g. Nursing)
  • Professional license → Bachelor / Doctor-level
  • Upgrade → Master

Step 2 — Check key fields in CRICOS

Always verify:

  • CRICOS code
  • Duration (weeks)
  • Tuition (total, not yearly)

Step 3 — Compare ROI

Example:

  • Diploma of Nursing → ~30k / 1.5 years
  • Doctor of Physiotherapy → ~200k / 3 years

Completely different risk profile.

7. Key Takeaways

Based on actual CRICOS 2026 data:

  • Health is one of the most structured sectors
  • Clear pathways exist from VET → Bachelor → Master
  • Costs vary massively depending on level
  • Licensing is the main dividing line between programs