
If you're an Indian nurse looking to practise in Australia, you'll need to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA). This process can take anywhere from 8 months to over a year and involves an online application, document verification, a skills assessment, and possibly a bridging program. You'll also need to prove your English language proficiency and may be required to complete health checks and provide police clearance. Once you've completed all the necessary steps and received your RN registration, you can apply for a visa that allows you to work in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application | Submit an application through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA) website |
| Document Upload | Nursing degree certificates and academic transcripts, registration verification from the Nursing Council in India, English language test results (IELTS or OET) |
| Document Verification | AHPRA reviews the submitted documents to confirm eligibility |
| Bridging Program | Initial Registration for Overseas Nurses (IRON) or Outcome-Based Assessment (OBA) |
| CPD Hours | Proof of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours |
| Skills Assessment | Obtain a positive assessment from ANMAC or AHPRA |
| Visa Type | Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189), Employer-Sponsored Visa (subclass 482), or Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) |
| Health Checks | Medical screenings and police clearance certificate |
| Qualifications | Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in Australia with a minimum of 800 hours of workplace experience in different healthcare settings |
| Registration | Registered and licensed under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) |
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What You'll Learn

Online application and document verification
To apply for nursing registration in Australia from India, you must meet the criteria set out by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA). AHPRA assesses international nursing degree applications on behalf of the NMBA.
The first step in the process is to submit an online application through the AHPRA website. You will need to upload the following documents:
- Nursing degree certificates and academic transcripts
- Registration verification from the Nursing Council in India
- English language test results (IELTS or OET)
Once you have submitted your application, AHPRA will review your documents to confirm your eligibility. This process typically takes around 4-6 months. If there are gaps in your qualifications, AHPRA may recommend you complete a bridging program, such as the Outcome-Based Assessment (OBA) or Initial Registration for Overseas Nurses (IRON) course. These programs can take an additional 3-6 months to complete.
After your documents have been verified and you have completed any necessary bridging programs, you will need to obtain a positive skills assessment from either ANMAC or AHPRA. This typically takes 3-4 months. As part of the skills assessment, you may be required to complete an online self-check and an orientation program. You may also need to pass the Outcome-Based Assessment (OBA), which includes two examinations: the NCLEX-RN and the OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination).
Throughout the application and verification process, it is important to ensure that all information provided is accurate and truthful. AHPRA conducts thorough searches across national and international databases, and any misleading facts may cause delays in processing your application.
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Qualification recognition
To demonstrate your eligibility for registration, you must meet the following criteria:
- Your qualification must be equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in Australia and must include at least 800 hours of workplace experience in different healthcare settings.
- Regular analysis of work and recognition by an external nursing regulatory body, whose accreditation standards are equivalent to Australia's.
- Your professional knowledge and skills should align with current healthcare knowledge, nursing research, and health policy.
The qualification recognition process typically takes 4-6 months. If your qualifications do not meet the Australian standards, AHPRA may recommend a bridging program such as the Outcome-Based Assessment (OBA) or the Initial Registration for Overseas Nurses (IRON) course. Most universities in Australia offer bridging programs to help internationally qualified nurses achieve the required standards.
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Skills assessment
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) assesses and validates the skills, qualifications, and experience of overseas-qualified nurses to support their skilled migration journey. The ANMAC skills assessment fee is AUD 500-600 and the average time to submit the online application is 20 minutes, excluding document preparation. The current approval wait time is 6-8 weeks.
To apply for a Modified Skills Assessment, you need current registration from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA/Ahpra). If you are submitting work experience from overseas, you need a 'verification of registration' or a 'certificate of good standing letter' from the organisation responsible for registering nurses in the country where you worked. This confirms your registration and that there have been no issues with your professional practice in that country.
Your work experience documents should include examples of your daily work that demonstrate you have the skills to match your ANZSCO code. Any nursing work experience older than 5 years can only be assessed under the ANZSCO code 254499 NEC (Not Elsewhere Classified).
If you are not already registered in Australia, you will need to provide English language test results (IELTS or OET) and achieve a minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the 4 components: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
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Bridging programs
To work as a registered nurse in Australia, you must be registered in the country. This requires submitting an application through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency's (AHPRA) website, along with the required documents, including verification of your nursing registration in India. If gaps are identified in your application, AHPRA may recommend completing a bridging program.
There are a number of bridging programs offered by universities and other educational institutions in Australia. However, only a few are approved by AHPRA and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). It is important to ensure that you enroll in an approved program, as completing a non-approved program will result in your application for registration being refused.
The fees for bridging programs range from AUD 10,000 to AUD 12,000 for a 12-week program. In addition to the program fees, there are also costs associated with enrollment, materials, and certification.
Once you have completed a bridging program, you can then apply for registration as a nurse in Australia.
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Visa application
To become a certified registered nurse in Australia as an Indian citizen, you must meet the eligibility criteria set out by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA). AHPRA assesses international applications on behalf of the NMBA and is responsible for implementing the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) across Australia.
Once you have completed all the necessary requirements and assessments, you will be given your RN registration. After that, you may apply for a visa to work in Australia. The visa application process can take 2-6 months, depending on the visa type. Here are the steps to apply for a visa:
Visa Type Selection
Firstly, you must select the appropriate visa type. Suitable visa options include the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189), Employer-Sponsored Visa (subclass 482), or Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190).
Document Submission
Submit the required documents, including proof of qualifications, English language proficiency, and a job offer (if applicable). You may also be required to provide police clearance certificates from India and any other country where you have stayed for six months or more.
Health Checks
Complete the necessary medical screenings.
Visa Processing
After submitting your application and required documents, the visa processing time can vary from 2 to 6 months, depending on the specific visa type and your individual circumstances.
Please note that additional requirements or bridging programs may be necessary, which can extend the overall timeline for becoming a registered nurse in Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
You must meet the criteria set out by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA). This includes demonstrating eligibility through qualifications equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in Australia, at least 800 hours of workplace experience, and professional knowledge and skills in coherence with present healthcare knowledge.
First, submit an online application through the AHPRA website, providing documents such as nursing degree certificates, academic transcripts, registration verification from the Indian Nursing Council, and English language test results (IELTS or OET). Then, AHPRA will review your documents and may recommend a bridging program if gaps are identified. Finally, complete any necessary bridging programs or exams before applying for a visa with work rights.
The AHPRA application fees are around AUD 150-300. Additionally, there are fees for the ANMAC Skills Assessment (AUD 500-600) and English Proficiency Tests (IELTS/OET, approximately AUD 300-400).
The timeline varies depending on the applicant's specific situation, but it typically takes between 8 months to over a year. The qualification recognition and AHPRA application process can take 4-6 months, followed by 3-4 months for the ANMAC Skills Assessment. If required, bridging programs or exams may add another 3-6 months, and visa processing times depend on the visa type, ranging from 2 to 6 months.















