Finding Home in the Foreign Land: Experience of Indonesian Nurses in Australia

Like many other countries, Australia is experiencing nursing workforce shortages and is drawing nurses from abroad. Indonesia and Australia are neighboring countries; however, there is a lack of understanding about the experiences of Indonesian nurses working in Australia. This study aimed to analyze the experiences of Indonesian nurses working in the Australian healthcare system, focusing on their perceptions, adaptations, and challenges.

A qualitative descriptive design was used, with data collected through in-depth interviews conducted in Australia in July 2024. Twenty-five Indonesian nurses working in Australian healthcare facilities participated in the study. Participants were recruited via snowball sampling and interviews focused on personal and professional experiences. The data were analyzed thematically using NVivo 14 software.

The analysis revealed five themes: professional challenges; language and cultural competency; support systems; Australia as the best country in terms of nursing policy; and experiences of working, living, and growing old in Australia. Participants also explained that Australia's policies for nurses, which provide clear scope of practice and easily accessible support mechanisms, shaped their decisions to remain in the workforce long-term.

Indonesian nurses in Australia face multifaceted challenges and significant opportunities for growth within the current regulatory and nursing policy framework. Despite these difficulties, experience is often perceived as worthwhile because of fair treatment. Many Indonesian nurses expressed a sense of belonging and viewed Australia as both a workplace and home. These findings underscore the importance of policies that enhance language and cultural preparation, and strengthen bilateral labor agreements to support ethical recruitment, retention, and long-term nursing workforce planning.