Christmas Scrubs Australia: The 2026 Guide
The ward is busy, the tinsel is up at the nurses' station, and you're working while everyone else is opening presents. A Christmas scrub top won't fix the roster, but it does make the shift feel a bit more like Christmas, for you and for the patients who'd rather be home.
This guide covers what to look for in Christmas scrubs, which styles suit which workplaces, how to keep the print bright for more than one season, and our current favourites.
Why Christmas scrubs are worth it
Healthcare doesn't stop for the holidays. For staff working through Christmas, small things matter, and a festive top is one of the easiest.
Patients notice too. Someone spending Christmas in hospital or aged care is often having a hard time, and a cheerful print is a small sign that the people looking after them are human. In paediatrics it does even more: a nurse in a reindeer top is a lot less scary than one in plain navy.
Christmas scrub styles
Subtle prints. Snowflakes, stars or small red and green motifs on a darker background. These suit clinics and wards where the dress code is strict but a nod to the season is fine.
Character prints. Santa, reindeer, snowmen, elves and gingerbread. Bright and playful, and the most popular choice in paediatrics and aged care.
Aussie Christmas prints. Christmas in Australia happens at the beach, and some prints say so: surfing gingerbread, hibiscus and candy canes on a summer background.
Team prints. Some units pick one print and wear it together for the season. It looks great in ward photos and makes the team easy to spot.
Always check your workplace's uniform policy before you buy. Some hospitals only allow prints on certain days, or only on tops.
How to choose Christmas scrubs
Fit. Christmas scrubs get worn for a full shift, not just for photos. Pick the same size and cut as your everyday tops, and check the size chart on each product, since brands fit differently.
Comfort for long shifts. Look for stretch and breathable fabric. A polyester and elastane blend moves with you and dries quickly, which matters in an Australian December.
Pockets. You still need somewhere for pens, scissors and your phone. Check the pocket layout on the product page.
A print that lasts. You'll wear the top for a few weeks a year, so it should last for several Christmases. Good prints hold their colour wash after wash; cheap ones fade and crack.
Our favourite Christmas scrub tops
BizCare/Inaura Women's Christmas Scrubs Top. An all-over red-nosed reindeer print on a women's short-sleeve top. Festive without being over the top, so it works in most clinical settings.
NNT Women's Christmas Scrub Top CATUXV. The Aussie Christmas pick: gingerbread surfers, candy canes and hibiscus flowers on hot pink or midnight blue. A flattering women's fit with a V-neck. It's a limited-edition print, so grab it while it's here.
Want something fun for the rest of the year too? Browse our fun printed scrubs or read our guide to fun printed scrubs.
Finish the look
- Scrub caps. A scrub cap in red, green or a festive print finishes the outfit, where your workplace allows caps.
- Long sleeves underneath. On cold night shifts, a plain long-sleeve top in navy, black or white under your Christmas top keeps you warm and still looks professional.
- Small extras. Christmas socks, a festive badge reel or a headband add a bit more cheer. Keep anything near patients clean and simple.
Caring for Christmas scrubs
- Wash inside out to protect the print.
- Use a cold or warm wash, not hot, so the colours stay bright and the fabric keeps its shape.
- Skip bleach. It damages both the fabric and the print.
- Line dry when you can, out of direct sun.
- After Christmas, wash the tops, fold them and store them somewhere dry so they're ready for next year.
Always follow the care label on your garment first.
Ready for Christmas?
A good Christmas scrub top is comfortable, practical and still looks bright in its third season. Browse the Christmas scrub tops collection, and order early, because popular sizes in seasonal prints sell out before December.