Printed scrubs have become an easy way to bring more personality into everyday healthcare workwear. A patterned top is one of the few genuinely low-effort ways to add personality to a uniform you did not choose, and it costs you nothing in professionalism.
The tricky part is working out which brands are worth your money. A print looks great on a product photo, but what you notice on shift is the fabric, the pocket layout and whether the cut sits properly once you start moving. So here are four Australian options for printed scrubs, and what each one actually offers beyond the pattern.
Dr. Woof
Dr. Woof leans hard into print themes, with designs spanning dogs, cats, florals, Australian motifs and medical prints. There are dog prints like Border Collies, Loafing Corgis and Down Under Dogs, cat prints including Cool Cats and If I Fit I Sit, florals such as Wild Meadow, and medical designs like Organs and The GP Life for anyone who wants their anatomy knowledge on display.
Nearly everything in the printed range is built on the same piece, the Dr. Woof Women’s 3-Pocket Scrub Top, which comes in XXS to 3XL and is made from 92% Global Recycle Standard certified recycled poly with 8% spandex for four-way stretch. The brand describes the fabric as sweat-wicking, quick-dry and wrinkle-resistant. The top has a classic mid-depth V-neck and three pockets, two roomy fronts plus one internal pocket sized for rings and keys.
There is also a separate VetCore Vet Med line, described as designed and tested by veterinary professionals, with anti-static fabric so hair and fur brush off rather than cling, and removable knee protection built into the cargo pants. Dr. Woof describes itself as an Aussie family business.
Gorman
If you already own Gorman outside of work, its scrub range will make immediate sense to you. The prints are exclusive Gorman designs rather than generic patterns, which means you get the same maximalist sensibility the label is known for. Recent sets include Dino, Poppy, Fuego, Changing Spots, Star Daisy and To Market, and the collection can be filtered by floral, animal, fruit and veggie, abstract or plain if you have a clear idea of what you want.
Construction is 100% cotton, which is worth knowing if you prefer natural fibres over technical blends. The top has V-neckline shaping and three front pockets. The pants are where Gorman gets practical, with two front slant pockets, three side pockets, two loop holes for an ID card and instruments, and an elasticated waistband with a drawstring. Sizing runs 2XS to 3XL.
This is the option for someone who wants their scrubs to read as a fashion choice first, with the pattern doing most of the talking.
Soulful Scrubs
Soulful Scrubs is designed by a healthcare worker, and the prints are described by the brand as powered by colour theory, which mostly translates to unapologetically bright palettes. Current designs include Sunny Strawflower, Autumnal Floral, Minty Fresh, Pink Purple Floral and a Lime Cream Hawaiian print, alongside striped options for anyone easing into pattern gradually.
The tops are 100% cotton, described by the brand as having no synthetic plastic fibres, with a V-neck and a unisex fit. There are three functional pockets and a small but genuinely useful addition, an elastic loop for keycard attachment, which gives you a dedicated attachment point for a keycard. Sizing runs XS to 4XL, and the brand notes its sizes are not the same as other stores, so the measurements are worth reading before you order.
The unisex cut is worth comparing if you prefer a more relaxed silhouette to a fitted scrub top.
Scrubsy
Scrubsy is a small Australian owned business run from Toowoomba in Queensland, and the tops are Australian made. The prints come from collaborations with Australian artists including Brook Gossen and Christie Williams. Designs cover Aussie Animals, Rainbow, Jelly Beans, Happy Strawberry and Happy Pineapple, plus seasonal pieces.
The tops are made from midweight 100% cotton and described as structured. There are two large front pockets, two splits at either side for extra room through the hips, and two darts at the back to give the top some shape. Standard sizing runs from an Australian 6 to 16 and the brand notes it runs a little large.
The stand-out here is flexibility on fit. Scrubsy offers custom sizing, including sizes above XL and adjustments to the standard 6 to 16 range with extra length or bust room. If standard sizing has been difficult to work with, its custom-sizing option is worth a closer look.
What to Check Before You Buy
Start with fabric composition and care instructions, because these vary considerably between brands and may matter as much as the print itself.
Then look at the pockets, because the layouts genuinely vary. Three pockets on a top is common, but whether one of them is internal, or whether the pants carry side pockets and ID loops, changes how much you end up carrying in your hands.
Check the cut as well. A unisex relaxed fit, a shaped top with darts and side splits, and a tailored V-neck are three quite different garments even at the same size.
Finally, read each brand’s size chart individually. Several of these brands say outright that their sizing does not match other stores, and a printed top you love in the wrong size is an expensive lesson.
The Short Version
Printed scrubs in Australia now come in far more than novelty patterns, and the four brands here approach it differently. Dr. Woof combines a broad range of print themes with its technical scrub fabric, Gorman brings its own design language to the category, Soulful Scrubs offers bright cotton in a generous size range, and Scrubsy offers custom sizing and fit adjustments. Pick the one whose priorities match yours, then pick the print.
