If you have completed an overseas nursing qualification and want to practice in Australia, you would need to be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). This Initial assessment is often required when applying for different Australian visas.
NMBA will assess your qualifications based on three criteria:
- Qualification must be recognized for registration.
- Qualification was subject to quality assurance and recognized or accredited by a body external to the education institution.
- Academic level of the qualification is comparable to an Australian Bachelor degree for registered nurses and a diploma for enrolled nurses.
Related:
Depending on your qualifications you will have to complete one of the below assessment streams:
Stream A
Registered nurse:
Your qualification is AQF 7 and meets criteria 1 & 2.
Enrolled Nurse:
Your qualification is AQF 5 and meets all criteria 1 & 2.
Assessment
Stream A candidates must complete an orientation to be eligible to apply for registration.
Stream B
Registered nurse:
Your qualification is AQF 6 and meets all criteria except criterion 3 or,
Your qualification is AQF 7 and meets criteria 1 & 3.
Enrolled Nurse:
Your qualification is AQF 4 and meets all criteria except criterion 3 or,
Your qualification is AQF 5 and meets criteria 1 & 3.
Assessment
Stream B candidates must complete an online orientation, a portfolio and an outcome-based assessment. The outcome-based assessment will include a multiple-choice question exam and an objective structured clinical examination.
Stream C
Registered nurse:
Your qualification is AQF 5 or lower.
Enrolled Nurse:
Your qualification is AQF 4 or lower.
Assessment
If you are advised that you have to upgrade your qualification (i.e. stream c), you can study a nursing course in Australia. NMBA has a list of approved programs of study on their website.
Upon completion of the course, you will be able to apply for your registration with NMBA.
Once you have received your registration, you can apply for a skills assessment with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).
Fees
IQNM assessment (assessment and orientation) – $640
Multiple choice question exam – $Vary – Fees are set by the MCQ provider
Objective Structured Clinical for IQNM – $4000
Updates
Due to COVID-19 the providers of the multiple-choice question exam and objective structured clinical examination have temporarily closed their services. This means those that are required to undertake these exams will be unable to progress through the IQNM OBA pathway to apply for registration for some time.
Bridging Course – IRON Program
Bridging programs are only available to applicants who applied for registration on or before 21 February 2020 and have received a referral letter. For those who seeking to apply for registration now, you must complete the self-check to be advised of the assessment stages you must complete (as above).
On what visas can you do the IRON course?
The two common visas utilised to complete the IRON course are:
- Visitor (Business Stream) Visa (Subclass 600) – If the course can be completed in less than 3 months
- Student visa (Subclass 500) – if you do a CRICOS approved nursing course
Related:
- Employer Sponsored Visas Comparison for Registered Nurses
- Health Practitioners: Visa Options to Travel and Work in Australia
- Health Workforce Certificates and Health Workforce Exemption Certificates
- International Medical Graduates and Registration in Australia
- Medical Practice and Hospital Sponsors Visa Options for Overseas Trained Medical Professionals
Related:
- Outcome Based Assessment (OBA) for Internationally qualified nurses and midwives (IQNM) and PR Pathway
- Changes to Skills Assessment for Nurses and Midwives
- Registered Nurse Pathway to PR
- Nurse Educator
- Nurse Manager
- Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Researcher
- Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
- Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
- Registered Nurse (Community Health)
- Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
- Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability)
- Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation)
Bridging Visa R
Genuine Student (GS)
Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES)
NSW 491 Pathway 1 – Apply directly to NSW
Upcoming Immigration Changes 2024