Nursing AHPRA Registration and ANMAC Skill Assessment Process

How ANMAC skills assessment works (for migration)

The Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) provides a criteria‑based skills assessment for nurses, midwives and direct care workers applying for a skilled migration visa. ANMAC’s outcome is typically required by the Department of Home Affairs for visa lodgement.

• Purpose: confirm your qualifications, registration history and practice are appropriate for migration purposes (ANMAC does not register or license you to work in Australia).
• Who needs it: internationally qualified nurses, midwives and some direct care workers seeking a skills assessment for skilled migration.
• What ANMAC assesses: 
  • Identity verification and certified ID documents
  • Primary qualification(s) and academic transcripts
  • Work experience and role/duties (employment references)
  • Current/past professional registration and certificates of good standing
  • For full skills assessments, evidence of English language proficiency (ANMAC publishes accepted tests)
• Typical steps: 
  • Create an ANMAC application (online) and choose the correct assessment type.
  • Upload certified supporting documents (ID, qualification certificates and transcripts, proof of registration, employment references, English test results, translations where required).
  • ANMAC reviews documents and may request additional information or verification. Primary source verification may be undertaken.
  • ANMAC issues an outcome (suitable / not suitable). If suitable, you receive an outcome letter to include with visa applications.
  • If you disagree with the result, ANMAC has an appeals/review process (see their appeals policy).

Documents commonly required: passport, certified degree certificate(s) and transcripts, detailed employment references (role, duties, dates, hours), registration certificates and letters of good standing from previous regulators, English test result, certified translations.

Important: ANMAC outcomes are for migration assessment only — they do not grant registration to practise in Australia.

How AHPRA / NMBA registration works (to practise)

To work as a nurse or midwife in Australia you must be registered with AHPRA under the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Registration is a separate process to ANMAC assessment.

• Purpose: determine whether you are competent, fit and suitable to practise in Australia, and allocate the appropriate registration type (e.g., Registered Nurse — Division 1).
• Common applicant pathways for internationally qualified nurses: 
  • Qualification assessed as substantially equivalent: may lead to direct registration (subject to meeting English and other checks).
  • Competency or bridging pathway (where gaps in qualifications/competence are identified): completion of an NMBA‑approved bridging program or Competency Assessment Program (CAP) may be required.
  • Supervised practice: temporary or provisional registration with a period of supervised practice for some applicants.
• What AHPRA/NMBA assesses: 
  • Verified identity and identity documents
  • Primary qualification and evidence of knowledge/competence
  • English language skills (NMBA accepts specific tests — check current NMBA standards for exact tests and score requirements)
  • Criminal history / police checks (international and Australian)
  • Fitness to practise declarations (health/impairment information)
  • Registration status and certificates of good standing from jurisdictions where you were registered
• Typical steps: 
  • Create a myAHPRA account and choose the correct registration pathway and application form.
  • Lodge application with certified documents, registration history and English test evidence.
  • AHPRA/NMBA assesses your application and either: grant registration, request further information, or require completion of a bridging/competency program.
  • If bridging or supervised practice is required, complete the program with an approved education provider or employer and then apply for full registration when requirements are met.

Important: registration can take weeks to months depending on pathway and completeness of documentation.

Relationship between ANMAC and AHPRA

• ANMAC = migration skills assessment (used for visa purposes). A positive ANMAC outcome does not equal AHPRA registration.
• AHPRA/NMBA = professional registration to practise in Australia. You must satisfy AHPRA/NMBA requirements even if ANMAC outcome is positive.
• Practical path for many overseas nurses: 
  1. Obtain ANMAC skills assessment (if you are migrating).
  2. Use ANMAC outcome when lodging visa application with Department of Home Affairs.
  3. Separate or subsequent application to AHPRA/NMBA for registration to practise — follow whatever pathway (direct, bridging, supervised) NMBA determines.

Practical checklist (documents & steps)

• Prepare certified copies of: 
  • Passport (biographical page)
  • Primary nursing/midwifery qualification certificate(s) and full academic transcripts
  • Detailed employment references (duties, start/end dates, hours worked)
  • Current and past registration certificates and letters of good standing
  • Evidence of English language proficiency (results of IELTS, OET, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, etc.)
  • Police/criminal history checks from countries you’ve lived in
  • Any required translations (accredited translator)
• Create accounts and apply online: 
  • ANMAC online application for skills assessment (for migration)
  • myAHPRA online application for registration (for practising)
• Monitor emails for requests for further evidence and respond promptly.

Timing, costs and additional notes

• Processing times and fees vary by ANMAC, AHPRA pathway and completeness of your application. Expect several weeks to months.
• English test score and acceptable tests may change — always check NMBA/AHPRA and ANMAC official guidance for current requirements.
• ANMAC and AHPRA cannot give migration advice — for visa eligibility contact the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent. AHPRA does not place you in employment; employers may require additional checks (immunisation, working with children checks, police checks).
• If you are already in Australia on a visa, check any visa conditions that affect study or work while you wait for registration.

Getting help

• Use official ANMAC and AHPRA/NMBA guidance pages and the published document checklists before applying.
• Consider contacting approved education providers for bridging programs or using a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer for combined migration + registration strategy.
• Keep certified originals and clear copies of each document; track submissions and save receipts and reference numbers.