Graduate Nurse Programs in Australia: A State-by-State Guide
GradStart, GNMP Match, GradConnect and more — how graduate nurse program applications work in every Australian state and territory, and what to do if you are not matched.
A graduate nurse program (often called a grad program, transition to practice program, or TPPP) is a structured first year of employment for newly registered nurses — combining paid clinical work with supernumerary time, study days, rotations, and mentorship. Each state and territory runs its own application system, and the names, portals, and timelines all differ. Here is how each one works.
New South Wales — GradStart
NSW Health recruits new graduate registered nurses and midwives through GradStart, a single online application covering public health services across the state. You preference health districts rather than individual hospitals. Applications typically open around the middle of the year for positions starting the following year, so final-year students should prepare documents early.
Victoria — GNMP Match
Victoria uses a computer-matching system (GNMP Match, administered through PMCV) that matches graduate preferences against health service preferences. You rank the services you want; they rank their candidates; the algorithm does the rest. Public health services participate in the match — most private hospitals recruit graduates directly outside it.
Queensland — Queensland Health graduate portal
Queensland Health runs an annual graduate nurse and midwife recruitment campaign through its careers portal. You submit one application and indicate your preferred Hospital and Health Services. Individual HHSs then assess and make offers throughout the recruitment period.
Western Australia — GradConnect
WA Health uses the GradConnect online recruitment system. It covers newly qualified registered nurses, enrolled nurses, and midwives, and includes public hospitals and health services as well as participating private hospitals and residential aged care providers — making it broader than most state systems.
South Australia, Tasmania, ACT and Northern Territory
- South Australia — SA Health runs a Transition to Professional Practice Program (TPPP) with a centralised application for public health services
- Tasmania — the Tasmanian Health Service recruits graduates through its own annual transition to practice intake
- ACT — Canberra Health Services runs a graduate program with direct applications
- Northern Territory — NT Health recruits graduates directly; regional and remote positions are often less competitive and offer exceptional experience
Timing: the golden rule
Most state systems open applications in the middle of the year (roughly May to July) for programs starting the following year, with offers landing from around September onwards. Deadlines are strict and documents take time to gather — references, academic transcripts, CV, and responses to selection criteria. Start preparing at the beginning of your final year, not the week applications open.
Do not forget the non-match pathways
- Private hospitals — recruit directly, often outside matching rounds
- Aged care providers — many run their own graduate programs with government-funded transition support
- Primary care — APNA’s Transition to Practice Program covers general practice and community settings
- Rural and regional health services — frequently have unfilled graduate positions after the metro rush
If you are not matched
Roughly speaking, demand for places outstrips supply in every metropolitan centre, every year. Not being matched says nothing about your ability to nurse. Read our guide on what to do if you missed out on a graduate program — and remember that once you are AHPRA-registered, you can work in aged care, casual pools, community health, and agency-style shifts while you reapply.