Scrub pants are the most-complained-about item in a healthcare worker's wardrobe. They gap at the waist. They drag on the floor. The pockets are in the wrong place, or there aren't enough of them. They look fine in the morning and unravelled by hour eight. The reason is usually not cheap fabric — it's the wrong style for the wrong body type and role.

This guide breaks down every scrub pants style available in Australia in 2026 — straight-leg, jogger, wide-leg and cargo — explaining which waistband type suits which body type, how to measure rise correctly, and which brands perform best by role. Whether you're buying your first pair or replacing a range that isn't working, this is the complete reference.

Quick Answer: The best scrub pants in Australia in 2026 are the Wink W123 jogger pant (best all-round for comfort and clinical utility), Dickies EDS Signature straight-leg pant (best for hospital colour compliance and durability), and Cherokee Infinity straight-leg pant (best stretch performance in a traditional cut). Waistband type — drawstring, elastic, or yoga-style — is the most important fit variable after inseam length. Infectious Clothing Company stocks all three brands in sizes XS–5XL with free shipping over $250.

Browse Women's Scrub Pants and All Scrub Pants — or see our Men's Scrub Tops if you're building a complete set.

In this guide:

1. Scrub pants styles: straight-leg, jogger, wide-leg and cargo

2. Waistband types explained

3. Rise explained: low, mid and high

4. Best scrub pants by brand

5. Best scrub pants by role

6. How to size scrub pants in Australia

7. FAQs

Scrub pants styles: straight-leg, jogger, wide-leg and cargo

The four main scrub pants styles each serve a different purpose. Understanding the difference before you buy will save you a size run and a return.

Straight-leg

The universal default

A consistent width from hip to hem. Accepted in every Australian clinical setting without exception — public hospitals, aged care, theatre, ED, ICU. The most widely stocked style across all three Careismatic brands. If you work in an acute public hospital and aren't sure what your facility allows, straight-leg is always safe.

Best for: public hospitals, any role with strict uniform policy

Jogger

The fastest-growing clinical style in Australia

Tapered from knee to ankle with a gathered or ribbed cuff. Originally popularised in private clinic settings, now broadly accepted across most non-acute environments. The Wink W123 jogger pant is the highest-selling clinical jogger in the Australian market. Provides excellent freedom of movement — particularly popular in vet, dental, physio, and GP settings.

Best for: vet, dental, GP, allied health, private clinics

Wink W123 jogger scrub pants in navy — the most popular clinical jogger pant in Australia

Wink W123 jogger — Australia's most popular clinical jogger pant

The tapered-ankle, yoga-waistband design that has become the default for vet, dental, physio and GP settings. Available in navy, black, pewter, ceil blue, hunter green, wine and more — in the same 100% microfibre polyester four-way stretch as the straight-leg W123. Shop Wink W123 →

Wide-leg

Maximum comfort, limited clinical settings

A relaxed fit that widens from hip to hem. Extremely comfortable for long shifts but not universally accepted in clinical areas — the wider hem can be a trip hazard in busy wards and some facilities restrict this style. Better suited to community care, aged care, and non-clinical roles. Check your facility policy before purchasing.

Best for: community care, aged care, non-clinical roles

Cargo

Maximum pocketing, specific use cases

Straight or tapered leg with additional side cargo pockets at the thigh. The extra pockets are practical for roles that carry multiple items — paramedics, vet nurses, surgical techs. Not appropriate for sterile field environments (theatre, procedure rooms) where loose pockets are a contamination risk. Available in select Dickies and Cherokee styles.

Best for: paramedics, vet nurses, diagnostic imaging, surgical techs

Hospital policy note: NSW Health and Queensland Health public hospital policy generally requires traditional straight-leg scrub pants in clinical areas. If you work in a public hospital ward, ED, ICU or theatre, confirm your facility's policy before purchasing jogger, wide-leg or cargo styles. In private hospitals, GP, dental, vet and allied health settings, all styles are generally accepted.

Waistband types explained

The waistband is the single most important fit variable in scrub pants — more so than the leg shape. Get the waistband wrong and no amount of correct sizing will fix the fit. There are four main types used in clinical scrubs in Australia.

Waistband type	How it works	Best for	Watch out for
Drawstring	External or internal cord ties at the front. Adjustable to your exact waist measurement.	All body types, roles requiring secure fit during physical work	External drawstrings can catch on equipment in confined spaces — choose internal tie styles for theatre and procedure rooms
Full elastic	Elasticated band all the way around — no cord. Pulls on and off quickly.	Theatre changeover (speed of donning/doffing), students on placement, maternity	Can roll down over a shift if the elastic loses tension — check the band quality before buying
Drawstring + elastic	Elastic on the sides and back for comfort, drawstring at the front for adjustment. The most common configuration in premium clinical scrubs.	Most roles — best all-round combination of security and comfort	Sizing still matters — the elastic provides 2–3cm of adjustment range, not unlimited
Yoga / wide waistband	A wide (8–12cm) flat elastic band that can fold over or sit straight. No drawstring.	Comfort-focused roles, long shifts, physio and allied health with lots of floor work	Less secure during high-activity work — not ideal for roles involving patient restraint or manual handling at height

The drawstring + elastic combination is the default in Dickies EDS Signature, Cherokee Infinity and the Wink W123 straight-leg pant — making it the most commonly worn waistband configuration among Australian hospital nurses. The Wink W123 jogger uses a wider yoga-style waistband, which is why it's particularly popular in comfort-focused settings.

Rise explained: low, mid and high

Rise is the measurement from the crotch seam to the top of the waistband. It determines how the pants sit on your body and is one of the most frequently overlooked measurements when ordering scrubs online.

Low rise

Sits on the hip bone

Less common in clinical scrubs. Can expose the lower back when bending — a practical problem for nurses and allied health workers who bend frequently. Most clinical scrub brands have moved away from low-rise cuts.

Mid rise

Sits at the natural waist

The standard for most clinical scrubs. Covers the lower back during bending, sits comfortably below a scrub top without bunching, and works for the majority of body types. Dickies, Cherokee and Wink all default to mid rise across their primary ranges.

High rise

Sits above the natural waist

Increasingly common in the yoga-waistband jogger styles. Provides excellent core coverage during floor work and bending, and is particularly comfortable for those who prefer a higher waistline. The Wink W123 jogger sits high-to-mid, which is part of its appeal for physio and vet roles.

Practical tip: If you bend frequently at the waist in your role — patient transfers, examination work, floor-level procedures — prioritise mid or high rise. Low-rise pants that gap at the back are a hygiene concern in clinical settings, not just an aesthetic one.

Best scrub pants by brand

Infectious Clothing Company is an authorised Careismatic distributor for Dickies, Cherokee and Wink — the three most widely worn clinical scrubs brands in Australian hospitals. Here's how their pants ranges compare.

Wink W123 — best all-round scrub pant in Australia

Fabric

100% microfibre polyester, four-way stretch. The softest clinical scrub pant available in Australia. Moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and remarkably resistant to wrinkling after a wash — it comes out of the dryer looking work-ready.

Styles available

Straight-leg (W123) and jogger — both in the same microfibre fabric. The W123 jogger is Australia's most popular clinical jogger pant. Available in straight and jogger for both women and men.

Waistband

Straight-leg: drawstring + elastic combination. Jogger: wide yoga-style waistband with internal drawstring, high-to-mid rise. Both secure through a full 12-hour shift.

Sizing note

Runs fitted. If you are between sizes or prefer a relaxed fit, size up one. The jogger tapers more aggressively than other brands — particularly notable in the calf for wider calves.

Dickies EDS Signature — best for hospital colour compliance

Fabric

55% cotton / 45% polyester brushed poplin. No stretch — but the cotton content provides genuine breathability that fully synthetic fabrics can't match. The go-to pant for staff working in temperature-controlled wards who prioritise breathability over stretch.

Colour range

The widest hospital-compliant colour range of any scrub pant in the Australian market. Covers NSW Health and Queensland Health mandated colours: navy, ceil blue, hunter green, eggplant, royal blue, black, teal, pewter, and white.

Waistband

Drawstring + elastic combination. Mid rise. The drawstring sits internal on most styles — appropriate for theatre and procedure rooms where external cords are restricted.

Sizing note

No stretch — size up if you have wider hips or thighs. Available XS–5XL, the broadest size range of the three brands. Regular inseam only in Australian stock.

Dickies EDS Signature 5155 scrub pants in black — classic straight-leg clinical scrub pant

Dickies EDS Signature 5155 — the hospital standard

The 5155 straight-leg pant in black is one of the highest-volume clinical scrub pants sold through Infectious — consistently chosen for team uniform programs in dental, GP, aged care and private hospitals where colour policy doesn't mandate a specific shade. The 55% cotton / 45% polyester brushed poplin fabric is the most breathable straight-leg pant in the range.

Shop Dickies scrub pants →

Cherokee Infinity — best stretch performance in a traditional cut

Fabric

95% polyester / 5% spandex. Four-way stretch with Certainty antimicrobial treatment. Lightweight and fluid-feeling — stretches easily in all directions for high-movement roles without adding bulk.

Styles

Primarily straight-leg in the Infinity range. Contemporary fit for women, modern relaxed fit for men. Petite, regular and tall inseam options in select styles — the best inseam range of any brand stocked at Infectious.

Waistband

Drawstring + elastic, mid rise. The Infinity pant has a slightly more generous waist opening than Dickies — useful if you carry items in a hip pocket that affect the waist measurement.

Sizing note

Generous cut — size down from your usual size if you prefer a closer fit. The four-way stretch gives real adjustment range. Available XS–5XL in most colourways.

Side-by-side: choosing between scrub pants brands

	Wink W123	Dickies EDS Signature	Cherokee Infinity
Fabric	Microfibre poly	Cotton/poly blend	Poly/spandex
Stretch	4-way ✓	None	4-way ✓
Styles	Straight + jogger	Straight only	Straight + select tapered
Hospital colours	Good	Widest ✓	Good
Breathability	High (microfibre wicks)	Highest (cotton)	High (lightweight poly)
Inseam options	Regular only	Regular only	Petite / Regular / Tall ✓
Size range	XS–3XL	XS–5XL	XS–5XL

Best scrub pants by role

Role-based requirements determine which style, fabric and waistband type will actually serve you across a full shift.

Role	Key requirements	Recommended
Hospital nurse / RN	Hospital colour compliance, 4-way stretch, full-shift durability	Cherokee Infinity or Dickies EDS Signature straight-leg
Theatre / surgical	Internal drawstring (no external cords near sterile field), minimal pockets, easy donning/doffing for changeover	Dickies EDS Signature (internal tie) or Cherokee Infinity
Emergency / ED	Maximum mobility, durability, fast-drying after contamination events	Cherokee Infinity (4-way stretch, fast-drying synthetic)
GP / family medicine	Professional appearance, comfort for consultation-heavy day, colour flexibility	Dickies Balance or Wink W123 straight-leg
Dental	Flexibility at the hip for seated chair work, stain-resistant fabric preferred	Wink W123 jogger or Cherokee Infinity straight-leg
Veterinarian / vet nurse	Maximum mobility for restraint work, fluid-resistant, deep pockets	Wink W123 jogger (microfibre wipes clean easily)
Physiotherapy / OT	Deep squats, floor work, full range of movement	Wink W123 jogger or Cherokee Infinity
Aged care	Comfort for long shifts, approachable appearance, easy care	Cherokee Workwear Professionals or Dickies EDS Signature

How to size scrub pants in Australia

Scrub pants sizing is not standardised across brands. A size 12 in Dickies is cut differently to a size 12 in Cherokee or Wink. Taking two measurements before ordering will prevent the most common sizing mistakes.

1. Waist measurement

Measure at your natural waist — not at the hip bone or the belly button, but the narrowest point of your torso. Keep the tape parallel to the floor. For drawstring + elastic waistbands, this measurement gets you in the right size range — the drawstring provides 2–3 sizes of fine adjustment from there.

2. Inseam measurement

From the crotch seam to the ankle bone. Most Australian scrub brands stock a single regular inseam (~79–81cm). If you are under 160cm or over 180cm, inseam becomes the most important measurement — the regular inseam will either drag or finish above the ankle. Cherokee Infinity is the only brand stocked at Infectious offering petite and tall inseam options.

Brand-specific sizing notes for pants

Brand / Range	Waist sizing	Fit note	Inseam options
Wink W123 straight-leg	XS–3XL	Fitted cut. Size up if between sizes or if hips are wider than waist.	Regular (~80cm)
Wink W123 jogger	XS–3XL	Fitted through the calf — size up if calf measurement is wider than average.	Regular only
Dickies EDS Signature	XS–5XL	No stretch — size up if hip-to-waist ratio is significant. Roomy through the leg.	Regular only
Cherokee Infinity	XS–5XL	Generous cut for stretch fabric. Can size down one if prefer a closer fit.	Petite (~74cm) / Regular (~80cm) / Tall (~86cm) ✓
Cherokee Workwear Professionals	XS–3XL	Mid-stretch cotton blend. True to size in most cases.	Regular only

Petite or tall? Cherokee Infinity is the only brand stocked at Infectious that offers petite (~74cm inseam) and tall (~86cm inseam) pant options. If you are under 160cm or over 180cm and the regular inseam has never worked for you, Cherokee Infinity is the right starting point. Call us on 1300 661 475 to confirm current petite/tall availability.

Frequently asked questions

► Are jogger scrub pants allowed in Australian hospitals?

It depends on your facility. NSW Health and Queensland Health public hospital guidelines generally require traditional straight-leg scrub pants in clinical areas. Most private hospitals, GP practices, dental clinics, veterinary practices, and allied health settings accept jogger-style scrubs without restriction.

If you work in a public hospital ward, ED, ICU or theatre, confirm your facility's uniform policy before purchasing jogger styles. For all other settings in Australia, jogger scrubs are broadly accepted as of 2026.

► What's the difference between scrub pants and nurse pants?

The terms are used interchangeably in Australia. "Nurse pants" typically refers to the straight-leg drawstring pant that has been the clinical standard for decades — what most people picture when they imagine a nurse's uniform. "Scrub pants" is the broader category that includes straight-leg, jogger, wide-leg and cargo styles. All nurse pants are scrub pants; not all scrub pants are nurse pants.

► Should I buy scrub pants with a drawstring or elastic waistband?

For most clinical roles, the drawstring + elastic combination is the best option — it gives you the adjustability of a drawstring with the all-day comfort of elastic on the sides and back. Pure elastic is ideal for theatre changeovers (fast donning/doffing) or during maternity. Pure drawstring without elastic support is less common in modern clinical scrubs.

If you work in theatre or a sterile field environment, choose a style with an internal drawstring rather than an external one — external cords can contaminate sterile fields and catch on equipment.

► Do scrub pants come in petite or tall sizes in Australia?

Cherokee Infinity offers petite (~74cm inseam) and tall (~86cm inseam) pant options in select styles — the only brand stocked at Infectious with multiple inseam options. Dickies and Wink stock regular inseam only in the Australian market. If inseam is your primary sizing challenge, start with Cherokee Infinity. Contact our team on 1300 661 475 to confirm current petite and tall availability before ordering.

► How do I stop scrub pants from shrinking?

Shrinkage primarily affects cotton-blend fabrics (Dickies EDS Signature). The main culprits are washing above 60°C and hot tumble drying. Dickies EDS Signature is rated for hospital-temperature laundering at up to 60°C — staying within this range prevents most shrinkage.

Fully synthetic fabrics (Cherokee Infinity, Wink W123) are dimensionally stable and will not shrink meaningfully at any standard hospital wash temperature. If shrinkage has been a problem for you, switching to a stretch-poly fabric resolves it entirely.

► What are the best scrub pants for nurses with wider hips?

For a significant hip-to-waist ratio, four-way stretch fabrics are the most forgiving — Cherokee Infinity (95% polyester/5% spandex) and Wink W123 (100% microfibre polyester) both stretch meaningfully through the hip without bunching at the waist. Dickies EDS Signature has no stretch and requires sizing to the widest point (hip), which can result in excess fabric at the waist.

The Wink W123 jogger's wide yoga waistband is also worth considering — the high-to-mid rise and wide elastic band accommodate hip curves without a gap at the back, which is the most common complaint for this body type in straight-leg pants.

► How many pockets should scrub pants have?

The standard clinical scrub pant has two side patch pockets — large enough for a phone, a fob watch, and a notepad. This is sufficient for most ward nursing and GP roles.

If you carry more — multiple devices, medication keys, instruments — look for cargo styles (Dickies, Cherokee cargo pants) which add thigh pockets, or pair standard pants with a scrub top that has a higher pocket count. The Wink W123 top is the better investment for pocket utility than cargo pants, which can be bulky and restricted in some clinical settings.

► Can I get scrub pants embroidered with a clinic logo?

Embroidery on scrub pants is less common than on tops — the most visible and practical location for a clinic logo or staff name is the chest of the top. That said, Infectious Clothing Company offers in-house embroidery on pants for facilities that require it (typically a left-thigh placement). Contact our team on 1300 661 475 or via the business orders page for embroidery quotes on pants and bulk team orders.