AHPRA registration made simple for internationally qualified nurses

Author: Sean Clancey – Senior Migration Strategist

Australia’s aged care sector is facing unprecedented demand for skilled and experienced healthcare professionals. Internationally Qualified Registered Nurses (IQRNs) are essential to meeting this demand. Before they can work in aged care facilities, hospitals or community settings, Nurses trained overseas must register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). 

Understanding the AHPRA registration process is critical for both employers and Nurses. For aged care providers, it means planning workforce recruitment and compliance with confidence to ensure the best visa pathway and the most effective cost-saving strategy to have individuals landed in Australia within a reasonable timeframe.  

For IQRNs there is an additional layer, and employers need to know the steps, timelines and requirements to secure IQRNs professional registration and begin working in Australia. 

AHPRA registration process for registered nurses: streamlined registration pathways 

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s (NMBA) Registration standard: general registration for internationally qualified registered nurses provides streamlined pathways for eligible IQRNs to become registered in Australia. 

This registration standard establishes two pathways to General Registration for IQRNs. 

Pathway 1  

An IQRN applying through Pathway 1, will need to show the following: 

• Qualification: Studied nursing in one of the approved countries (UK, Ireland, US, British Columbia or Ontario in Canada, Singapore, or Spain) leading to full registration as a nurse there. 

• Work experience: 

• Worked at least 1,800 hours as a registered nurse in one of these countries since 1 January 2017. 

• Employers must provide statements confirming they have met the knowledge and skill standards expected of a registered nurse. 

• Registration status: Hold or have held general registration as a registered nurse in one of the approved countries. 

• Certificate of Good Standing: Proof from the nursing regulator in the country (or countries) of employment confirming that registration is in good standing. 

• Other requirements: Meet standards for criminal history, ongoing training – Continuing Professional Development (CPD), English skills, recent practice, and professional indemnity insurance. 

Pathway 2 

An IQRN who did not gain their nursing qualification in one of the approved countries will need to show the following: 

• Qualification: A nursing qualification from another country since 1 January 2017. 

• Regulatory exam: Successful completion of the nursing regulatory exam in one of the approved countries. 

• Registration status: Current or previous general registration as a registered nurse in one of the approved countries since 1 January 2017. 

• Work experience: At least 1,800 hours as a registered nurse in one of the approved countries since 1 January 2017. 
• Other requirements: Compliance with standards relating to criminal history, ongoing training (Continuing Professional Development – CPD), English language proficiency, recency of practice, and professional indemnity insurance. 

Note: 

• The NMBA recognises the following as approved countries: the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Ontario, Singapore, and Spain. 

• A relevant qualification is a nursing qualification related to health care that isn’t directly approved in Australia but is similar in content, standards, or skills to an Australian-approved qualification. 

• Successful completion of a regulatory examination means that if you became registered in a country outside the NMBA’s approved countries through a mutual recognition agreement, an NMBA-approved country has assessed you and confirmed you meet the standards of an entry-level registered nurse. 

Orientation: an introduction to Australia and the Australian healthcare context  

All IQRNs who wish to register and work in Australia as a Registered Nurse must also complete an Orientation to the Australian healthcare setting.  

There are two parts to the Orientation: 

• Part 1: online learning which introduces the Australian healthcare context. Part 1 must be completed as part of the IQRN assessment process, after completing the Self-check.   

• Part 2: online learning giving a more in-depth orientation to the Australian healthcare context. For all IQRNs who register with the NMBA, it is a requirement of registration to complete Part 2 within 6 months of becoming registered.  

On successful completion of this Streamlined Registration Pathway and Orientation, the candidate can then apply for Registration as a Registered Nurse in Australia.  

AHPRA Registration process for Registered Nurse: Standard Pathway  

For those IQRNs who do not meet Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s (NMBA) Streamlined Pathway, can obtain AHPRA Registration via NMBA’s Objective-Based Assessment (OBA) Pathway.  

Before applying for AHPRA Registration, the IQRN must first complete AHPRA’s Self-check. Upon completion of the Self-check, each IQRN candidate will be designated a particular Stream (A, B, or C), depending on which qualification assessment criteria their qualification(s) meet.  

The information provided by the candidate during the Self-check is checked by AHPRA at the Portfolio stage. At this stage, the candidate must provide additional personal and contact information as well as identification and qualification documentation. 

Assessment Stage 1: Qualification Assessment 

The candidate first needs to have their nursing qualifications assessed to determine which Stream they fall under. The three Streams are: 

• Stream A: IQRNs who hold a qualification that is very similar or closely matched to an approved qualification. Stream A IQRNs can proceed to complete their Orientation then apply for their AHPRA Registration without undertaking the Portfolio Stage or the Examinations detailed in Assessment Stage 3 below. 

• Stream B: IQRNs who hold a qualification that relates to the nursing profession but is not close enough to an approved qualification. Stream B IQRNs are required to undertake the Portfolio Stage and the Examinations detailed in Assessment Stage 3 below. 

• Stream C: IQRNs who hold a qualification that is not closely matched or relevant to the nursing profession. Stream C candidates cannot progress further with their Registration and would be required to undertake further studies in one of the recognised countries before their qualifications could be recognised by NMBA. 

The qualification(s) needs to meet the following criteria:  

(More than one qualification can be submitted for assessment; however, candidates cannot use a qualification that leads to Registration as an Enrolled Nurse when applying for Registration as a Registered Nurse. 

• Qualifications recognised for registration: The qualification must allow the applicant to become a Registered Nurse in the country where it was studied. 

• Quality assurance and accreditation: The qualification must be formally checked for quality and approved or accredited by an external organisation (not just the education provider) and based on published standards. 

• Academic level of qualification: The qualification must be at least the same level as an Australian Bachelor Degree (Level 7) or higher. 

Note: 

• The NMBA has found qualifications awarded in the following countries likely to meet Criterion 2: Canada; Hong Kong (Nursing); Republic of Ireland; United Kingdom; and United States of America  

• The NMBA has found qualifications awarded in the following countries may meet Criterion 2: Belgium Flanders; Denmark; Finland; Germany; Israel; Malaysia; Netherlands; Norway (Nursing); Pakistan; Portugal; Singapore; South Africa; Republic of Korea (South Korea); Spain; and Sweden.  

• The NMBA considers qualifications from over 70 countries are unlikely to meet Criterion 2 (and, therefore, fall under Stream C). These include countries from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the Pacific Islands, and South America. Potential candidates from these countries are most likely required to undertake further studies in one of the recognised countries before their qualifications could be recognised by NMBA. 

Assessment Stage 2: Portfolio   

Stream B candidates must provide their qualifications, academic transcripts and identification details and documentation. Here the NMBA confirms the information provided by the candidate as part of their Self-check. 

Assessment Stage 3: Examination  

Stream B candidates are then required to undertake the following: 

• Multiple-Choice Question Exam (MCQ): This online test checks a candidate’s professional nursing knowledge. It is run with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and delivered by Pearson VUE using the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) for Registered Nurses. 

• Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE): This is a practical, hands-on exam that tests whether candidates have the knowledge, skills and abilities expected of a graduate-level nurse or midwife from an Australian NMBA-approved program. 

Orientation: an introduction to Australia and the Australian healthcare context  

All IQRNs who wish to register and work in Australia as a Registered Nurse must also complete an Orientation to the Australian healthcare setting. There are two parts to the Orientation: 

• Orientation Part 1: online learning which introduces the Australian healthcare context. Part 1 must be completed as part of the IQRN assessment process, after completing the Self-check. 

• Orientation Part 2: online learning giving a more in-depth orientation to the Australian healthcare context. For all IQRNs who register with the NMBA, it is a requirement of registration to complete Part 2 within 6 months of becoming registered.  

On successful completion of this Standard Registration Pathway and Orientation, the candidate can then apply for Registration as a Registered Nurse in Australia.   

Note: The Department of Home Affairs requires all non-Australian Citizens to hold a Visa that permits them to work in Australia. Holding AHPRA Registration as a Registered Nurse does not guarantee the candidate will be eligible for, or be granted, a Visa permitting them to work in Australia.  

Streamlined pathways for NZ nurses seeking AHPRA registration 

Nurses with the legal authority to practice as a Registered Nurse in New Zealand are subject to certain entitlements under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act (1997) and should apply for their Registration directly with the NMBA. 

Navigating AHPRA registration can feel complex, but it is a vital step for internationally qualified registered nurses who want to work in Australia — and for aged care providers who depend on them. By understanding the streamlined and standard pathways, nurses can position themselves for a smoother transition into the Australian workforce, while providers can plan more confidently and remain compliant with regulatory requirements. 

Get in touch 

At Absolute Immigration Legal, we help aged care providers recruit and retain skilled overseas nurses by ensuring they understand every step of the registration and visa process. We also support nurses, guiding them through their AHPRA registration and immigration requirements. 

If you’re an aged care provider or an internationally qualified nurse seeking clarity on the AHPRA process, our team is here to help. Contact us at admin@absoluteimmigrationlegal.com to explore how we can streamline your registration, ensure compliance, and build the workforce you need. 

*This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance tailored to your situation, please contact one of our qualified legal practitioners.