Becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) in Australia is a structured and highly regulated process, ensuring that all practitioners meet the national standards for safe and competent practice. This journey is overseen by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), which operates under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

For internationally qualified nurses (IQNMs), the pathway involves a specific assessment process known as the Outcomes-Based Assessment (OBA), which determines your eligibility for registration.

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Phase 1: Initial Assessment and Eligibility

This phase determines the appropriate pathway for your registration based on your existing qualifications and experience.

Complete the IQNM Self-Check

All internationally qualified nurses and midwives must start by completing the online Self-Check tool on the NMBA/AHPRA website. This tool asks a series of questions about your nursing qualification, registration history, and practice experience.

Determine Your Assessment Stream

The Self-Check tool will assign you to an assessment stream, which dictates the rest of your process:

• Stream A: For qualifications deemed substantially equivalent to an approved Australian qualification.
• Stream B: For qualifications that are relevant but not substantially equivalent.
• Stream C: For qualifications that are not relevant or substantially equivalent (requiring you to complete an Australian-approved bridging or degree course).

Complete Orientation Part 1

Regardless of your stream, you must complete Orientation Part 1, which is an online learning course introducing you to the Australian healthcare context, law, and professional practice standards.

Submit the Portfolio of Documents

You must submit a comprehensive portfolio of documents, including:

• Certified Identity Documents (e.g., passport).
• Academic Qualifications (certified copy of your primary qualification and transcripts).
• Registration History (Certificates of Good Standing from all countries where you’ve been registered).
• Work History (Statements of service confirming employment).
• Criminal History Checks (Australian and international, if you’ve lived overseas for six consecutive months or more as an adult).

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Phase 2: Mandatory Registration Standards

You must meet the following non-qualification standards before registration can be granted.

Achieve English Language Proficiency

You must demonstrate a proficient understanding of English unless your passport is from the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, USA, or South Africa, or you have completed at least five years of education taught and assessed in English in one of those countries. Accepted tests and minimum required scores include:

• IELTS Academic: Minimum overall score of 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in Listening, Reading, Speaking, and 6.5 in Writing (can be achieved over two sittings within six months).
• OET: Minimum score of B in Listening, Reading, Speaking, and C+ in Writing (can be achieved over two sittings within six months).

Meet Recency of Practice Requirements

You must demonstrate that you have practised as a Registered Nurse for a minimum of 450 hours in the past five years, or have completed a Board-approved re-entry program, or successfully completed a nursing qualification within the past two years.

Provide Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII)

You must ensure you will have appropriate Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) arrangements in place before commencing practice in Australia.

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Phase 3: The Outcomes-Based Assessment (OBA)

This two-stage assessment applies mainly to Stream B applicants whose qualifications are deemed relevant but not substantially equivalent.

Pass the Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) Exam (NCLEX-RN)

The first stage of the OBA is a computer-based, multiple-choice question exam, often the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses).

• Requirement: A successful pass is required to proceed to the next stage.

Pass the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

The second and final stage is the OSCE, a practical exam conducted in a simulated clinical environment.

• Location: The OSCE is currently held at a designated testing centre in Adelaide, South Australia.
• Focus: It assesses your clinical competence, communication, and decision-making skills in various real-world healthcare scenarios.

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Phase 4: Final Registration and Practice

Apply for AHPRA Registration

Once you have successfully met all the requirements for your assigned stream (including passing the OBA, if applicable), you can submit your final application for General Registration with the NMBA/AHPRA.

Receive Registration and Start Working

Upon approval, you will be granted an AHPRA registration number, which allows you to legally practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in any state or territory of Australia.

Complete Orientation Part 2

After being granted registration, you must complete Orientation Part 2, the final module of the mandatory orientation program.

Maintain Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

To maintain your registration, you must meet ongoing requirements, including completing a minimum of 20 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) annually and renewing your registration with AHPRA each year.

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Registered Nurse Roles in Australia

Australian Registered Nurses work autonomously and collaboratively across the healthcare system, providing comprehensive patient care. Typical responsibilities include:

• Assessment and Planning: Planning, managing, and evaluating patient care.
• Clinical Skills: Administering and monitoring medications, wound care, and complex care procedures.
• Leadership: Supervising Enrolled Nurses (ENs) and guiding other members of the healthcare team.
• Specialised Care: Providing specialised nursing care in areas like mental health, paediatrics, or intensive care.