Australia has a critical shortage of registered nurses. If you're a nurse trained overseas, here's the full pathway — from ANMAC assessment to AHPRA registration to visa lodgement.
Australia's Nurse Shortage: The Opportunity
Australia's healthcare system faces a sustained shortage of registered nurses, particularly in:
Regional and rural hospitals
Aged care facilities
Mental health wards
Emergency departments
Registered Nurses (ANZSCO 254111) appear on the MLTSSL, making nursing one of the strongest occupations for skilled independent migration to Australia.
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Step 1: ANMAC Skills Assessment
Before applying for your visa, you need a positive skills assessment from ANMAC (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council). ANMAC assesses whether your overseas nursing qualification is substantially equivalent to an Australian nursing degree.
The assessment considers:
Your nursing qualification (diploma or degree level)
Whether your nursing program covered the required competency areas
Your clinical placement hours during training
Your post-registration nursing experience
Processing time: 6–10 weeks (standard); expedited options available for an additional fee.
Step 2: English Language Requirement
For AHPRA nursing registration (and for a competitive points score), you need to meet high English standards:
IELTS Academic: Overall 7.0 with no band below 7.0
OET Nursing: B in all four components
The "Competent English" standard (IELTS 6.0) used for many other visa types is not sufficient for AHPRA nursing registration. You must meet the higher standard.
Step 3: AHPRA Registration
Once ANMAC has issued a positive assessment, you apply to AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) — specifically the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia — for registration.
AHPRA registration allows you to legally practise as a nurse in Australia.
Step 4: Points and Visa Application
A typical registered nurse:
FactorPointsAge 25–3230Bachelor's degree15IELTS 7.0 (Proficient)105–8 years experience10State nomination (190)5Total70
70 points typically receives invitations in most monthly rounds for nurses. State governments actively target nurses for 190 and 491 nomination.
Can You Do All This From Overseas?
Yes — the ANMAC assessment and IELTS test can both be completed in your home country before you arrive. AHPRA registration can begin offshore once your ANMAC assessment is complete.
Many nurses begin the process 12–18 months before they plan to leave, ensuring everything is ready by the time they arrive.
Regional Nursing Incentives
Nurses willing to work in rural or regional Australia often access:
491 nomination (15 bonus points) even at lower overall scores
Employer relocation packages
Rural and Remote Area Nurse (RRAN) allowances from state governments
Accelerated pathway to permanent residency via the 191
How NWI Helps
Our team coordinates the ANMAC submission, advises on your IELTS strategy, and manages the full visa application once your assessment is complete. We've guided hundreds of nurses from South Africa, the Philippines, Zimbabwe, and India through this pathway.