Are you an internationally qualified nurse looking to start the AHPRA registration process?
If you need to register with AHPRA and start the Australian Nursing registration process I’m here to help. It can be long and complicated. That’s why I’ve created this guide with all the key pieces of information you need to know. Bookmark this page for reference when you’re completing your registration. All the effort you put in now will be worth it. You’ll be swimming on Bondi Beach after your first shift.
I applied for my Australian Nursing registration via “Stream A.” This is for Nurses/Midwives who hold an equivalent qualification to the one in Australia. AHPRA is the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
You can’t work as a Nurse in Australia without it. The NMBA is the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. It’s the same as the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) if you’re from the UK.
You must finish an online “self check” on the AHPRA website to decide which stream you can apply for. After you finish the “self check” you have 90 days to complete “Orientation Part 1” before applying for stream A.
You then have 6 months to finish “Orientation Part 2” once registered. You can do both online they will give you knowledge on the Australian healthcare system.
Find more information on the other streams here: https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Accreditation/IQNM/Self-check-and-Portfolio/Completing-the-Self-check.aspx
Eligibility criteria for Australian Nursing Registration (AHPRA)
English Language
If you’re from outside Australia, you will need to do an English test. Tests: PTE or IELTS to help prove English proficiency. Unless you’re originally from Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK. Please look at the English pathway on AHPRA’s website. If you completed your Nursing degree in English then you may meet the English standard required.
Criminal History
You must apply for a police check through an AHPRA approved agency: AIS international or Fit2Work. Do this before submitting your registration application.
Cost: Varies depending on the country you apply from. It is 159 AUD from the UK or Ireland.
Required Practice Hours
You must show you’ve completed at least 450 hours of practice in the last 5 years. This doesn’t have to be direct clinical care. It can also include management, education, or administration roles that use professional clinical knowledge.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Your hospital or agency will most likely cover you under the employer’s insurance as a third party. You don’t need evidence with your application unless AHPRA specifically requests it. But, if you are self-employed for eg. have your own practice or clinic you’ll need your own private PII.
Continuing Professional Development
To renew or register as a Nurse/Midwife you must complete 20 hours of CPD per year. If you’re a Nurse/Midwife with prescribing authority you must complete an additional 10 hours.
Cost: if you are registering with AHPRA as an international applicant for the first time it is 410 AUD. You must pay 185 dollars every year to renew your nursing registration depending on the state you work in.
Supporting and required documents:
How long before I want to work as a nurse should I start gathering my documents?
I recommend starting to gather your documentation approximately 5-6 months before you aim to work. The Australian Nursing registration process can be long. It becomes even longer if you don’t submit all the correct documentation on the first go.
Documents You Need for Australian Nursing Registration. *Must be in English*
- Proof of ID (certified)
- Change of name (certified)
- University degree (certified)
My degree was in Latin. I paid approximately 50 Euros for my University to translate it into English.
- University transcripts (certified)
- Statements of service from all your employers from the last 5 years.
- C.V
The certification of all my documents by a local Solicitor cost me 50 euros. It took no more than a half hour. Bring all your original documents to the appointment.
Documents to be Supplied by Your Nursing Board
- A certificate of good standing from the NMBI/NMC. You need to request this from your previous nursing board and request that it be sent directly to AHPRA. For me this was 80 euros.
This is one of the last documents you will need to request. It is only valid for three months from the date of issue. I requested this the week I submitted my application to register. Depending on your nursing board it takes approximately 2-4 weeks.
Unlike Ireland, all Australian nurses must renew their AHPRA registration before the 31st of May every year. For example, if you arrive in Australia in March, you will have to pay again to renew your registration in May. This happens even though you have only been registered for 3 months. Keep this in mind when you’re planning to move here in terms of extra cost. How annoying!
If you’re interested in trying “Agency Nursing“, which I highly recommend. You should check out my post on the pros and cons about being an Agency Nurse. NNA are a great agency to to work for. If you sign up and work 20 shifts within 2 months you’ll receive 500 dollars bonus.
Please leave a comment below if you found this helpful and if you have any questions.
