Australia continues to experience strong demand for registered nurses across hospitals, aged care, regional health services, and specialist clinical settings. With an ageing population and ongoing workforce shortages, nursing remains one of the most sought-after professions nationwide.
The good news for overseas‑qualified nurses is that nursing occupations are listed on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List, meaning there is a clear and well‑established pathway from qualification and registration through to skilled visas and permanent residency.
While the process can feel complex at first, it follows a logical sequence: confirm your qualification, gain professional registration, complete a skills assessment, secure the right visa, and then transition to permanent residency over time. This guide breaks down each step so you can understand exactly how to become a registered nurse in Australia and how AVIE can support you at every stage.
Step 1: Check Your Nursing Qualification and Eligibility
The first step is confirming whether your overseas nursing qualification is comparable to Australian standards. Australia regulates nursing through strict professional and migration frameworks, primarily managed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).
Your qualification must be equivalent to an Australian Bachelor of Nursing (or higher) and meet curriculum, clinical placement, and competency requirements. Nurses trained in countries such as the UK, USA, Ireland, Canada, India, and the Philippines often meet these standards, but each case is assessed individually.
English language proficiency is also mandatory. Most applicants meet this requirement through IELTS, OET, or PTE Academic results, although minimum scores vary depending on your pathway and visa. You can read more about current English test requirements and recent changes in our detailed guide.
International nurses must also follow AHPRA’s Internationally Qualified Nurse and Midwife (IQNM) pathway, which determines eligibility for professional registration in Australia.
Step 2: Apply for AHPRA Registration
Before you can work as a nurse in Australia, you must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Applications are managed through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), which assesses internationally qualified nurses and midwives on the NMBA’s behalf.
Importantly, registration and immigration are two separate processes. Being eligible for a visa does not guarantee registration, and vice versa. For this reason, nurses are strongly advised not to resign from their current role or relocate to Australia until NMBA registration has been approved.
The IQNM Assessment Process
The AHPRA/NMBA assessment follows a structured pathway:
Self-check
You begin by completing an online self-check to determine whether your qualification is comparable to Australian standards. Based on this, you are allocated to a Stream (A or B).
Orientation & Assessment
All IQNMs must complete Orientation Part 1 (Australian healthcare context).
Some applicants (Stream B) may also need to complete an Outcomes-Based Assessment (OBA) if gaps are identified.
Portfolio Stage
You submit a detailed portfolio including:
- Identity documents
- Qualification transcripts
- Evidence of overseas registration
- Employment history
- English language test results
AHPRA verifies this information and forwards it to the NMBA for assessment.
Registration Decision
The NMBA assesses whether your qualifications are substantially equivalent to an Australian nursing qualification. Possible outcomes include:
- General registration as a Registered Nurse, or
- A requirement to complete additional assessment or education before registration.
Timeframes and Key Considerations
Processing times vary significantly depending on your circumstances, document verification, and whether further assessment is required. This can range from several weeks to several months. Application fees apply and depend on the assessment pathway.
Once registration is granted, you can work on getting a positive skills assessment from ANMAC.
Step 3: Get a Positive Skills Assessment from ANMAC
While AHPRA registration allows you to work as a nurse, a positive skills assessment from ANMAC is required for skilled migration purposes. ANMAC assesses whether your qualifications and professional experience meet Australian migration standards for nursing occupations.
To apply, you’ll generally need:
- Nursing degree transcripts and certificates
- Evidence of current or previous nursing registration
- English language test results
- Professional references and employment statements
ANMAC offers different assessment types. A Modified Skills Assessment is available for nurses who already hold full AHPRA registration, while a Full Skills Assessment applies to those without registration or applying under specific migration pathways.
Assessment fees apply and can change, so professional guidance is valuable to ensure you choose the correct pathway and submit a complete application.
Step 4: Choose Your Visa Pathway
Registered nurses are listed on Australia’s Medium and Long‑term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), which opens access to multiple skilled visa options, including permanent residency pathways.
Common visa options include:
| Visa Type | Description | Permanent Residency? |
| Subclass 189 | Skilled Independent Visa | Yes |
| Subclass 190 | Skilled Nominated (State) Visa | Yes |
| Subclass 491 | Skilled Work Regional Visa | After 3 years |
| Subclass 482 | Employer Sponsored Visa | PR pathway possible |
| Subclass 186 | Employer Nomination Scheme | Yes |
State nomination is particularly popular for nurses, with states such as NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia actively sponsoring nursing professionals. These visas often provide faster pathways to PR and additional points under the skilled migration system.
Choosing the right visa depends on your age, experience, English level, location preferences, and whether you have employer sponsorship.
Step 5: Gain Work Experience in Australia
Australian work experience significantly strengthens your migration profile. Many nurses enter Australia on temporary visas such as the Subclass 482 or Subclass 491, allowing them to gain local experience while meeting PR eligibility requirements.
Regional Australia offers particularly strong opportunities, with incentives such as additional migration points, priority processing, and dedicated PR pathways. Experience gained while holding full AHPRA registration is highly valued by both employers and state governments.
Working in Australia also helps nurses meet employer sponsorship requirements and improve long‑term settlement outcomes.
Step 6: Apply for Permanent Residency
Permanent residency is often the final goal for overseas nurses. Depending on your pathway, this may occur directly or after a period on a temporary visa.
Common PR routes include:
- Subclass 482 to Subclass 186 through employer nomination
- Subclass 491 to Subclass 191 after meeting regional residence and work requirements
- Direct PR via Subclass 189 or Subclass 190
Each pathway has strict eligibility criteria, timing requirements, and documentation standards. Strategic planning is critical to maximise points, avoid visa gaps, and choose the most reliable pathway.
Step 7: Bring Your Family to Australia
Most skilled and permanent visas allow nurses to include eligible family members. Partners and dependent children can live, work, and study in Australia, with access to Medicare once eligible visas are granted.
Children can attend Australian schools, and permanent residents enjoy long‑term security and social benefits. Family inclusion rules vary by visa, so tailored advice is essential.
How AVIE Helps Nurses Migrate
Australian Visa and Immigration Experts (AVIE) provides end‑to‑end migration support for internationally qualified nurses. Our team assists with AHPRA and ANMAC guidance, visa strategy planning, employer and state nomination advice, and full visa application management.
We understand the healthcare migration landscape and work closely with nurses, employers, and recruiters to create clear, compliant pathways to permanent residency.
Book a consultation with AVIE to start your Australian nursing journey with confidence.