New $440m Shoalhaven Hospital Adds 120 Staff: Australia Hiring 2026
Australia hiring 2026: NSW opens the $440m Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital in Nowra, with 120 more health staff starting and nurses still being recruited.
AustraliaIn brief
- The NSW Government opened the $440 million Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital acute services building in Nowra on 29 October 2026.
- Health Minister Ryan Park said 120 extra health staff are starting this week.
- 48 nurses have been hired this year and 20 more are on the way, along with new doctors and clinicians.
- Mental health, psychiatric emergency and cardiology services move in over the coming months.
| Country | Australia |
|---|---|
| Organization | NSW Health – Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District |
| Official source | NSW Government – Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital opening release ✓ nsw.gov.au |
Health workers looking at Australia hiring 2026 have a new option on the NSW South Coast. The NSW Government officially opened the $440 million Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital acute services building in Nowra on 29 October 2026, and Health Minister Ryan Park said 120 additional health staff are starting work this week. The new, bigger emergency department took its first patients at 8am on 28 October.
Key numbers
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Project | Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital redevelopment |
| Location | Nowra, NSW South Coast |
| Cost | $440 million |
| Extra staff starting now | 120 |
| Nurses hired in 2026 | 48 |
| Nurses still to come | 20 more |
| Staff housing | 60 build-to-rent homes in Bomaderry ($35m) plus 9 townhouses |
More services, more jobs
Local MP Katelin McInerney said new doctors and clinicians are joining alongside the extra nurses. Over the coming months, the hospital will add mental health and psychiatric emergency services and new cardiology services. The next stage is refurbishing the older hospital buildings. When the project was planned, local health officials said "hundreds" of extra staff would be needed over time, so recruitment should continue as each service opens.
Help with housing
Regional hospitals often struggle to attract staff because rentals are scarce. To tackle this, a $35 million build-to-rent partnership in nearby Bomaderry will provide 60 homes for key workers, and nine townhouses were bought last year. Ask about key worker housing when you apply.
How to apply
Jobs at the hospital are run by the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD). Start at the official ISLHD applying for a position page, which explains the process and links to the NSW Health job portal. Search for "Shoalhaven" or "Nowra" to find current vacancies.
What it means for job seekers
- Nurses, mental health staff and cardiology teams are most likely to see openings as new services launch.
- Overseas-trained clinicians need Ahpra registration before they can work in NSW hospitals; start that early.
- Allied health and support roles (admin, cleaning, food services) also grow when a hospital expands.
- Regional incentives – NSW Health offers extra support for some rural and regional roles, so check each listing.
Other big employers in NSW are recruiting too, such as the Teralba train factory with 550 jobs and Western Sydney Airport.
More openings: all Australia jobs
Frequently asked questions
How many staff is Shoalhaven Hospital hiring?
120 additional health staff start this week, and the local MP said 20 more nurses are still to come.
Where is the new Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital?
In Nowra on the NSW South Coast, run by the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
How do I apply for jobs at Shoalhaven Hospital?
Through the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District careers pages, which link to the NSW Health job portal.
Apply only on the official site.
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