How to earn more as an agency nurse

A female doctor with a stethoscope around her neck is smiling in front of a bookshelf.

There are a lot of great employment options available to nurses. But if you’re seeking an opportunity to earn more money you should look no further than agency nursing. As an agency nurse, you get the freedom and flexibility to take greater control over your income.

Let’s break down how this works, the kind of work you’ll do, and answer how you can earn more as an agency nurse.

What is an agency nurse?

An agency nurse works for a nursing agency, which is an independent company that provides staffing solutions for health facilities. The nursing agency works with a variety of different health facilities, like hospitals, and sends nurses out to fill any shift vacancies. Many agencies will specialise in a specific healthcare field or location, while others may provide a wider variety.

As an agency nurse, you’ll be able to choose the shifts you take up and the healthcare facilities you work in. You’ll then work as a nurse in these locations as normal, the only difference being that you are contracted by an agency.

What kind of work will you be doing as an agency nurse?

Being an agency nurse gives you greater control over where you work. This means you can choose to work in hospitals that you like and do the work that relates to your specialty. So, you’ll get the jobs that you want, in a variety of locations, with some of the best healthcare professionals in the industry.

It’s why so many agency nurses love the work they do. The flexibility with not just hours, but the range of clinical environments you can choose from, as well as the career development opportunities, are all unmatched in comparison to staff nursing.

How you can earn more

With flexibility comes greater control over how much you earn. We’ve broken down 4 things that determine how much you can earn and what you can do to increase your earnings.

1. Casual pay rates

According to Indeed.com an agency nurse earns an average of $102,465 per year, while a staff nurse earns an average of $80,159 per year. This is because agency nurses are employed as a casual employee and receive a higher base hourly rate. So, an agency nurse who works the same hours as a staff nurse will earn significantly more per year.

Of course, being a casual employee does mean that you don’t receive benefits such as annual leave or sick leave. But this can be managed. You can save money to cover any time off or pick up extra shifts afterwards to recover any lost income. As an agency nurse, the choice is entirely yours.

2. Work more (or less) hours

Agency nurses have the flexibility to choose how many (or how few) hours they work. This means you can pick up more shifts to earn more when you need it. Are you saving up for a holiday or a house? Just pick up a few more hours and you’ll reach those saving goals faster. You have that flexibility.

While you won’t be guaranteed a set number of shifts per week, nurses are in high demand so, you’ll likely be able to work as much as you want.

The good news is that with First Choice Care, you have the luxury of choice, with both adhoc metropolitan shifts and rural and remote short term contracts available across QLD, NSW and NT with some great benefits, so you can get guaranteed work and earn more.

3. Enhance your staff nurse salary

If you’re already employed as a staff nurse but want to make a little extra on top, agency nursing may be your best bet. With a nursing agency, you can add some extra shifts when you have time. The number of extra shifts you take on can depend on how much time you have and how much money you need.

It’ll also give you the opportunity to diversify your skillset. You’ll be able to work at a variety of different healthcare facilities and work with many of the best nurses. At First Choice Care, we have agency work across Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and in selected rural and remote areas, so there is plenty of work available. Check out our job board for locations and specialties.

4. Work in rural and remote locations

Nurses are in high demand in many rural towns across Australia. With this demand comes the opportunity for higher pay. If you’re willing to fly in and fly out to a rural or remote town for a short period, then you’ll have a lot of opportunities to make more money and speed up the advancement of your career. At First Choice Care, our rural and remote nurses are paid well and offered many benefits such as free travel and accommodation and living away from home allowances. Find out more about the many benefits working as a FCC Rural and Remote Nurse or Midwife.

Our Rural and Remote team is always happy to chat with you. Check out the contracts available here or request a call back to speak to one of our friendly team members.

Conclusion

Agency nurses have a lot of options to earn more money. Not only do agency nurses start off with a higher hourly base rate, but the flexibility available allows them to work more hours. For staff nurses, taking up a shift or two of agency work can provide the opportunity to make more money and boost your career.

If this opportunity sounds exciting, you should check out our job listing page and apply today.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

More articles

Oops, Don’t Do That: Compliance & Credentialing Errors That Slow Down Your Start Date

By Matthew Power • April 1, 2025

So, you’ve nailed your application and interview—congrats! But before you can start picking up shifts as a casual nurse or healthcare worker, there’s one final (and very important) step: completing your compliance and credentialing requirements. Many applicants underestimate the time it takes to get their paperwork in order, and missing even one required document can delay your start date. To ensure a smooth onboarding process, here’s a checklist of the most common compliance mistakes and how to avoid them. Not Providing the Right References Your referees play a crucial role in verifying your experience and suitability for agency nursing. However, many applicants make the mistake of: Providing personal references instead of professional ones Listing references who haven’t supervised them in the last 12 months Forgetting to notify their referees that they’ll be contacted What You Need to Do: Submit 3 referees with their current phone number and email address Ensure referees have directly supervised you in the role you’re applying for within the last 12 months Contact your referees in advance and let them know they’ll receive an email or call from First Choice Care Missing Critical Proof of Experience If you’re applying as an Enrolled Nurse (EN) or Registered Nurse (RN) student, you’ll need to prove your recent clinical experience. A common mistake is not providing the right documents or thinking placements alone will count. What You Need to Submit: 2 x recent ANSAT reports or University Transcript (for EN/RN students only) 2 x recent payslips (from the same role you’re applying for—important for verifying recent experience!) Forgetting to Upload Key Qualifications Many applications stall because nurses and healthcare workers forget to upload their essential qualifications. Make sure you provide: Copy of your relevant certificates (Postgraduate Certificate, Bachelor, Diploma) Current AHPRA Registration (For nurses only—check your renewal date!) Not Completing Background Checks Your police clearance and working permits are non-negotiable for agency roles. A common mistake is not having the correct up to date documents or having the documents ready to go. What You Need to Submit: Certified Copy of a Current National Police Clearance (Dated within the last 6 months & clear of disclosable outcomes. Current Blue Card with Yellow Card Exemption (Required for Disability Support Workers only) Working with Children’s Permit (If applicable to your role) Proof of Work Rights in Australia (Passport, Australian birth certificate, or Confirmation of Enrolment for student visa holders) Not Meeting ID Requirements Not providing the correct identification and clear headshot is a common roadblock in onboarding. You need to provide at least 100 points of ID, such as: Passport (70 points) Australian Driver’s Licence (40 points) Marriage Certificate or Change of Name Certificate (25 points) What You Need: A clear headshot from the shoulders up for your ID badge. Think passport photo, not selfie. Not Submitting Immunisation & Health Clearance Records You’ll need documentation proving immunity to: Hepatitis B (Serology results with titre level OR record of 3 completed vaccinations) COVID-19 (Evidence of vaccinations required) Hepatitis A (If required for your role) Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) (Serology results OR record of 2 completed vaccinations) Diphtheria/Pertussis/Tetanus (DTP) (Vaccination within the last 10 years) Varicella (Chickenpox) (Serology results OR record of 2 completed vaccinations) Fluvax (Yearly dose—mandatory for Aged Care, Community, and Disability roles, highly regarded for Acute nurses) Tuberculosis Clearance (BCG, Mantoux results <5 OR negative, QuantiFERON result required if applicable) Relevant certificates required: First Aid Certification (Must be completed within the last 3 years) Don’t Let Paperwork Hold You Back! Completing compliance might seem overwhelming, but getting it right the first time will speed up your onboarding and help you start working faster. Triple-check that all required documents are submitted in full Contact your referees in advance to avoid delays Make sure your police check, AHPRA registration, and immunisations are up to date Respond promptly to emails requesting additional documents Tip: Keep a digital folder with all your credentials handy, so you can upload them quickly when applying for roles. Conclusion Completing your compliance and credentialing requirements correctly is an important step in getting started with First Choice Care quickly. Review your compliance and credentialing documentation and match it to this list to ensure you're getting it right the first time. Then you'll be ready to start picking up shifts and enjoying the flexibility that agency nursing offers. Ready to join First Choice Care, Australia’s most supportive nursing agency? Check out our current roles or register your interest here .

Nurse of the Month March 2025 - Aisling

By Matthew Power • March 20, 2025

Introducing our nurse of the month for March 2025 – Aisling! Congratulations, you’ve been working hard to deliver exceptional care to your patients. We’re really excited to present you with this reward. If you want to learn more about Aisling’s time with First Choice Care, check out her interview below. What do you like most about First Choice Care? I love working for First Choice Care as they are a great team. From signing up to providing full-time hours they are always helpful, supportive and understanding. Why did you want to be a nurse? My Dad was my inspiration to become a nurse, seeing him in hospital and his positive outlook on life no matter what cards he was dealt made me want to be there to care for people, to bring them some sort of normality in a very abnormal setting. Every day is worth going to work for when you can see patients making progress or be there to comfort those who are in their final days along with their families. Being an advocate for patients and ensuring they get the care they deserve is what is most important to me. What has been the highlight of working with First Choice Care? First Choice Care have given me the opportunity to gain huge experience. I have the opportunity to work in different facilities and in different specialties learning something new in each one. Would you recommend First Choice Care to other nurses and why? I already have! First Choice Care will always do their best by their nurses; you get to speak to the same people and you're not just a number with a space to fill. The allocations team really are amazing at what they do!

Oops, Don’t Do That: Common Mistakes in Your Nursing Agency Application

By Matthew Power • March 5, 2025

Are you ready to start working as a casual nurse with a leading nursing agency like First Choice Care? That's a great choice! Agency nursing offers unmatched flexibility, variety, and control over your shifts. But, when applying many nurses unknowingly make small mistakes that can cost them an interview. To help you avoid these pitfalls, we’ve compiled a list of the most common (and easily avoidable!) mistakes nurses make when applying for casual work. Typos & Incorrect Contact Details Imagine this: You’ve submitted your application, your experience looks great, but when the recruiter tries calling you calling... the phone number doesn’t work. Or worse, your email address is missing a letter, and you miss that interview invite. Fortunately, these are easy to fix. Common mistakes: Incorrect phone number or email address Not checking voicemails or unknown numbers Emails from the agency going to your spam folder Double-check your contact details before hitting submit. A small typo in your phone number or email can mean missing out on an interview. Make sure your voicemail is set up too and remember to check them. Not Meeting the Minimum Clinical Experience Requirement Unlike graduate programs or permanent hospital roles, casual nursing jobs require applicants to have a minimum amount of clinical experience. This is to ensure that agency nurses can step into different healthcare settings with minimal supervision. Common misconceptions: Thinking that newly graduated nurses can apply without any post-grad experience Assuming that clinical placements during university count toward the required hours Forgetting to clearly list your experience on your CV First Choice Care typically requires nurses to have a minimum of 12 months of recent clinical experience in their specialty (this can vary based on role and location). Before applying, check that you meet the minimum experience requirement listed in the job ad, this experience is clearly stated in your CV and you're able to provide evidence of this experience. If you’re unsure, reach out to the First Choice Care recruitment team! Sending a CV That’s Too Long (or Too Short) Your CV should highlight your nursing experience, skills, and qualifications clearly and concisely—but many applicants go wrong here: Too much detail: Listing every duty from every job you’ve ever had can overwhelm recruiters. Too little detail: A bare-bones CV that just lists job titles without responsibilities or specialties may not stand out. Ideal CV length: 1-2 pages, with clear sections on qualifications, clinical experience, and key skills. Bonus Tip: Tailor your CV for agency work by including: Years of experience in each role (e.g., “XXX hours in an acute ward”) Range of settings you’ve worked in (e.g., hospitals, aged care, community) Specialised skills (e.g., ICU, paediatrics, wound care) Using a Generic or Outdated Cover Letter Cover letters are not always required but if you do choose to send a cover letter keep it brief and personalised. Mention why you’re interested in agency nursing, your flexibility, and what you bring to the team, this is especially important if you are new to working as an agency nurse. If you have specific preferences, such as type of facility or shifts, the cover letter is a great place to include that information. Conclusion Getting your application right is the first step to starting your journey as an agency nurse. With these tips, your application is sure to stand out and get you through the recruitment process quickly. Ready to join First Choice Care, Australia’s most supportive nursing agency? Check out our current roles or register your interest here.