Nursing APHARA registration and ANMAC skill assessment

Nursing in Australia- 3 Step Procedure

Step 1

To work as a nurse, and before you will be able to be considered for a migration to Australia based on the fact that you are a nurse, you will need to meet the registration requirements of

 The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) 

 The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

There are Five Criteria that are used in assessing your application for registration:
Criterion 1 – Proof of identity

You will need to provide a range of ‘proof of identity documents including:

• Biostatistical page(s) of your passport
• Change of name documentation (marriage certificate, decree nisi, deed poll) 
• A passport-sized photo taken in the last six months

Criterion 2 – English language proficiency
You must demonstrate the required score in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Occupational English Test (OET) for Nurses, Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT.
You only need to pass one of these tests.

The results are only relevant for two years after the examination.

IELTS You must achieve a minimum score of seven in each of the four components – listening, reading, writing, and speaking. 
OET – You must achieve a minimum score of B in each of the four components – listening, reading, writing, and speaking. 
PTE – You must achieve a minimum overall score of 65 AND a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills – listening, reading, writing, and speaking. 
TOEFL iBT – You must achieve a minimum score of 94 AND the following minimum scores in each section of the test – 24 listening, 24 reading, 27 writing, and 23 speakings.
Criterion 3 – Meet education standards.
If you are qualified as a nurse in one of the following countries with a bachelor degree (at level 7) or a diploma (level 5)* as well as further education, and you are registered as a first level nurse in one of these countries you are likely to meet the equivalent qualification as a nurse qualified in Australia:

• Canada
• Hong Kong
• Republic of Ireland
• United Kingdom
• New Zealand
• United States of America

The NMBA has found that nursing qualifications in the following countries may meet the requirements of quality assurance and accreditation in Australia:

• Belgium Flanders
• Chile
• Pakistan
• Papua New Guinea
• Singapore

*If you only have a diploma from one of the countries listed above you will require an assessment of your further education or experience to determine if you are deemed to be equivalent to a nurse qualified in Australia.
Nurses from countries not listed above will require an individual assessment to determine whether their qualifications and experience will be recognized by the Board.
All applicants must provide a graduation certificate and basic transcripts.
Criterion 4 – Professional practice as a Nurse or Midwife
Prior to submitting your application, you must provide evidence of having practiced as a nurse or midwife in the five years
You will be required to submit professional references that must meet the following criteria:

• Be on official letterhead 
• Be written by a direct supervisor who is a nurse or midwife 
• Be dated 
• Contain an official signature

Criterion 5 – Prove that you are fit to practice in Australia
You must prove that:

• there have been no previous proven disciplinary proceedings against you,
• there are no restrictions on you arising from mental incapacity,
• there are no restrictions on you arising from physical incapacity,
• you have no criminal history which would preclude you from working as a nurse or midwife in Australia.

If you don’t meet the requirements because your qualifications or experience are not recognized, you might want to consider pursuing a ‘Training visa – subclass 407’ to allow you to undertake a bridging program to improve your skills. 

Step 2 – Submit your application for registration with AHPRA
If you meet the criteria in step 1, then you need to submit your application for registration to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. 
Step 3 – Get a VISA
Once registered with AHPRA as a nurse you then need a VISA to be allowed to live and work in Australia.  There are a number of VISA’s available.

If you are able to secure sponsorship by an employer, one of the following VISA types will be appropriate:

• Temporary Skill Shortage visa
• Employer Nomination Scheme (Permanent Visa)
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Permanent Visa)

If you are not sponsored by an employer, you can pursue a VISA under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) provisions of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship

DIPLOMA OF NURSING IN AUSTRALIA

If you want to come to Australia for a working holiday, and you are aged between 18 and 30

The Diploma of Nursing qualification covers the skills and knowledge required to get registered as an Enrolled Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

Course Duration

It generally takes 1.5 to 2 years to complete a Diploma of Nursing. One can specialize in different areas including general nursing, medical administration, and infection control.

Course Structure

The course comprises 25 units (20 core units and 5 elective units). It is delivered by a combination of theory, laboratory, simulated practice, and professional experience placements.

THE BACHELOR OF NURSING

• The Bachelor of Nursing prepares for the role of the registered nurse in Australia.
• The course is nationally accredited through the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council and approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
• Nurses with this qualification are typically given administrative roles and higher salaries as they are capable of delivering safe, patient-centered, and informed therapeutic care in a variety of health care settings.

Course Duration

It typically takes 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time to complete a Bachelor of Nursing. Major areas of study include anatomy and physiology, community care nursing, mental health nursing, acute care nursing, and medical surgical nursing with an emphasis on research-based practice.

Course Structure

The course comprises theoretical and practical content that is backed by practice laboratories, clinical simulation, and practice.

 It also prepares one to be competent for diverse and complex health care environments through ground-breaking research and academic excellence.

MASTER OF NURSING

Master of Nursing qualification is specially designed for graduates of any Bachelor of Nursing degree to expand their knowledge and skills in a range of health care settings.

During the course of study, students are encouraged to incorporate evidence-based theory and clinical practice in different areas including physical, biological, psychological, and social sciences.

Course Duration

It takes two years of full-time or four years of part-time study to complete a Master of Nursing. Major areas of study include Professional Nursing, Emergency Care, Palliative Care, Mental Health, Chronic Care Nursing Practice, and Clinical Education.

Course Structure

The first year covers the social context of nursing in general and the Australian health system while the second year covers the comprehensive nursing practice across different care contexts or facilities.

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