Number of Registered Nurses in Australia has grown drastically. Among those numbers, 33% are nurses from overseas. This data shows overseas nurses’ preference to working as nurses in Australia.
If you are an Internationally Qualified Nurse (IQN) or in the process to become one, this article is perfect for you. This will touch on the step-by-step process to become a Registered Nurse in Australia through AHPRA and NMBA.
Overview on AHPRA and NMBA
Over the years, there has been an increase in demand for Registered Nurses in Australia. Nurses from overseas choose to practice their profession in Australia as there are better career acceleration and countless opportunities.
With high demand for nurses, regulating boards in Australia established qualifications and processes for Internationally Qualified Nurses. These boards include the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Nurses and Midwives Board Australia (NMBA). However, Internationally Qualified Nurses (IQN), depending on which country they belong to, have to meet certain criteria.
An organization responsible for registration and accreditation of 16 health professions is AHPRA, where nurses largely encompass the number. To ensure the quality of nurses practicing in Australia, AHPRA listed countries which met the requirements of quality assurance and accreditation in Australia. These countries are as follows: Canada, Hong Kong, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom, New Zealand, and United States of America.
Additionally, NMBA has also considered other countries which are eligible to apply as nurses in Australia. These are Belgium Flanders, Chile, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and Singapore.
Countries not listed above require its registered nurses to have an individual assessment. Regardless of the case, a strong will to work in Australia as a Registered Nurse will always make a strong motivation to thrive. The key thing is to start now, and take a small step towards Working as a Registered Nurse in Australia.
Self-Check at AHPRA Website
AHPRA developed its own website for Internationally Qualified Nurses to have an overview on practicing nursing in Australia. Additionally, AHPRA provided a method of self-check to assess and determine the potential stages that nursing aspirants need to complete to apply as a nurse or midwife in Australia.
Three streams are available for self-check. Each stream has different ways of assessment.
- Stream A includes those who hold a qualification considered to be substantially equivalent, or based on similar competencies, to an approved qualification (NMBA, 2020).
- Stream B covers those who hold a qualification that is relevant to the profession, but is not substantially equivalent, nor based on similar competencies to an approved qualification (NMBA, 2020).
- Stream C refers to those who hold a qualification that is not substantially equivalent or relevant to an approved qualification (NMBA, 2020).
Before doing a self-check, applicants, registrants or students need to have a run through on the Registration Standards. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia set out these standards. To do self-check, please click here.
After doing the self-check, applicants are now a step closer to their dream.
Register in the AHPRA Website
Upon registration, AHPRA will assess the Overseas Qualified Nurse’s qualification based on the information provided on the self-check. Thereafter, an overview of the steps will be provided together with a case number for keeping track.
To put it in a simpler way, here are the substeps for registration.
- Pay for the IQNM Assessment Fee
Firstly, IQNMs (Internationally Qualified Nurse and Midwives) have to pay an assessment fee of $640. However, this amount is non-refundable and must be paid in advance to progress through the assessment stages. IQNMs are given a period of 90 days from creating the account to pay for the IQNM assessment.
- Orientation Part 1
Once done with the payment for IQNM assessment fee, IQNMs are given an online module to be completed for an hour. They are given a period of 90 days for the completion of Orientation Part 1. This is a prerequisite to progress any further in the IQNM assessment process.
- Portfolio
After that, IQNMs must upload official documents relevant to the qualification as a Registered Nurse (e.g. a copy of course certificate awarded, copy of the academic transcript, evidence of any change of name and proof of identity, a copy of the original certificate of registration from the original regulatory authority).
IQNMs must ensure that all copies are certified. Additionally, they must also provide translation of documents written other than English.
Example Documents:
- RN MCQ Examination (NCLEX Australia) –
The RN MCQ examination is the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX RN). The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) develops and administers the NCLEX-RN through Pearson VUE.
After passing eligibility with AHPRA and registering to sit the NCLEX-RN with Pearson VUE, IQNMs will receive an Authorisation To Test (ATT) email from Pearson VUE which contains a unique ID number and an authorisation number. These are to be secured in order to schedule the examination sitting. Each ATT email is valid for a designated time period. The NMBA’s designated ATT validity period is 90 calendar days.
Subsequently, results will be released by AHPRA within (6)weeks of the examination sitting date.
- OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Exam)
IQNMs will undergo the RN OSCE exam consisting of 10 stations (or clinical scenarios). The OSCE is set at the entry to practice level that is expected of a Registered Nurse in Australia. OSCEs are assessments intended to test clinical skills in both pre-registration and postgraduate programmes (Rushforth, 2007; Major, 2005).
Commonly, the test consists of formative or summative assessment. Summative try assesses the nurses at the end of completing a course or program. Formative, on the other hand, allows timely feedback which helps the nurses as they progress through the program. More information is available here.
- Registration –
ALMOST THERE! This step is the closest to achieving the dream. Finally, IQNMs can now submit documents for registration. Click here for information on what documents to submit for registration.
Get a Visa
Once registered as a Nurse with AHPRA, IQNMs can now secure a VISA to work and live in Australia. There are different types of Visa available for Internationally Qualified Nurses.
Sponsorship given by an employer allows the following VISA:
- Temporary Skill Shortage Visa
- Employer Nomination Scheme (Permanent Visa)
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Permanent Visa)
If not sponsored by an employer, IQNMs can pursue a VISA under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) provisions of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Click here for more VISA options under the GSM.
Fortunately, AuRNPathway – a growing review nursing center in Australia – built a strong linkage with well-established partners which made VISA sponsorship possible. Also, it has helped a number of Internationally Qualified Nurses find their way to Australia and eventually become the AuRN they’ve always hoped for.
Where to get help for the Initial Process until getting to Australia?
The initial steps can be taxing to the part of Overseas Qualified Nurses. Likewise, it may become overwhelming to look at, which may cause fear of transitioning from one’s own domestic country to finally be practicing and working in Australia. Thus, AuRNPathway is here to help in starting from scratch to finally be able to work as a Registered Nurse in Australia.
AuRNPathway is a nursing training center in Australia which has helped a number of Overseas Qualified Nurses become Registered Nurses in Australia. AuRNPathway’s Lead Nurse Educator has been part of administering and assessing for the Objective Structured Clinical Exam. This ensures relevance and focused-content that will help Overseas Qualified Nurses conquer their aspiration to be an AuRN.
Significantly, the program is flexible and accessible until the examination. Here are the steps on how AuRNPathway can help you achieve your dream.
- Enroll with AuRNPathway.
- Apply for a visa.
- Inform AHPRA of your visa grant.
- Obtain a test date for OSCE.
- Book a flight.
- Arrive in Australia.
Ready to take the step? Or still lost at sea? Be at ease and be at peace in your venture as an aspiring nurse in Australia. Let AuRNPathway be your guide on the side in achieving that AuRN dream!
