New registration standard for registered nurses

Health Ministers in Australia have endorsed a new registration standard to boost the nursing workforce. With a target to add an additional 70,000 nurses to the Australian workforce by 2035, commencing from April 2025, a new streamlined pathway will be introduced by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

Workforce pressures across Australia’s health services will hopefully be eased with the introduction of a new streamlined registration process. Eligible internationally qualified registered nurses (IQRNs) must meet the same mandatory NMBA registration standards as Australian trained nurses. They must also demonstrate they satisfy the criteria outlined in either Pathway 1 or Pathway 2 of the new standard.

The standard provides greater flexibility by removing the requirement for NMBA examinations or qualification upgrades for these practitioners. The NMBA-approved comparable jurisdictions have comparable regulatory approaches, standards for education and registration, processes and procedures for the registration of internationally qualified registered nurses. These jurisdictions include:

  • United Kingdom
  • Ireland
  • United States
  • Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Ontario
  • Singapore
  • Spain

It is important to note that the additional pathways will allow nurses who initially qualified in other jurisdictions but are now registered and practicing in an approved comparable jurisdiction to access the streamlined registration process.

Read the announcement on the AHPRA website.

Carter Wellington’s Compliance team includes an Australian Registered Migration Agent with over twenty years experience successfully obtaining AHPRA registration and providing professional professional migration advice about your and your family’s visa options. We can also help you find a position in all states and location in Australia. Please submit an enquiry or book a consultation to discuss your options. You can also register with us for assistance in locating a job in nursing in Australia.