Australian nursing skills assessment

Are you a nurse planning to assess your skills to migrate to Australia under the skilled migration program? Keep reading to learn more about the nursing skills assessment in this article by our registered immigration expert.

Nursing Skills Assessment

A nursing skills assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of a nurse’s qualifications, skills, and experience to ensure they meet the standards required to practice in Australia.

A positive skills assessment is a prerequisite for obtaining skilled migration visas such as the Independent (Subclass 189), Nominated (Subclass 190), and Regional Sponsored (Subclass 489) visas.

Moreover, successful completion of the assessment is a significant step towards registering with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), which is essential for practicing as a nurse in Australia.

Where to get a Nursing Skills Assessment?

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC), an Assessing Authority, is responsible for assessing the competency of internationally trained nurses and midwives. ANMAC is appointed by the Australian government to conduct skills assessments for the nursing profession.

ANMAC’s Occupation list:

• 134212 Nursing Clinical Director
• 254111 Midwife
• 254211 Nurse Educator
• 254212 Nurse Researcher
• 254311 Nurse Manager
• 254411 Nurse Practitioner
• 254412 Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
• 254413 Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
• 254414 Registered Nurse (Community Health)
• 254415 Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency).
• 254416 Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability).
• 254417 Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation).
• 254418 Registered Nurse (Medical).
• 254421 Registered Nurse (Medical Practice).
• 254422 Registered Nurse (Mental Health).
• 254423 Registered Nurse (Perioperative).
• 254424 Registered Nurse (Surgical).
• 254425 Registered Nurse (Paediatrics).
• 254499 Registered Nurse (Not Elsewhere Classified).
• 411411 Enrolled Nurse.

Types of Nursing Skill Assessment at ANMAC

Modified Skills Assessment

This category is designed for nurses who are currently registered with either the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA/AHPRA), the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ), or the Midwifery Council of New Zealand (MCNZ). A key benefit of this category is the exemption from English language testing.

Modified Plus Skills Assessment

Nurses having a “Notice of in-principle approval of registration subject to proof of identity” letter from AHPRA and current overseas nursing registration qualify for this category. Similar to the Modified Skills Assessment, English language proficiency is not required.

Full Skills Assessment

This category is for internationally qualified nurses and midwives without Australian or New Zealand registration. To be eligible, applicants must hold a minimum Bachelor of Nursing qualification from a specific country (Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, the UK, or the United States) and be registered as a nurse in that country.

Unlike the previous two categories, English language proficiency is mandatory due to the importance of effective communication in healthcare.

If you are wondering what assessment you need, please contact VEM for immediate consulting service.

ANMAC Nursing Skills Assessment fees

Currently, ANMAC offers 3 types of nursing skills assessments: Full Skill Assessment, Modified Skill Assessment, and Modified PLUS Skill Assessment. In addition, ANMAC also provides other services related to Skill Assessment. Candidates can refer to the detailed price list for 2024 – 2025 below:

Table 1. ANMAC services’ fees 2025.

How to get an ANMAC Skills Assessment for Nurses?

Nursing Skills Assessment requirements

English Language Requirements

To successfully complete an ANMAC skills assessment, proficiency in the English language is a mandatory requirement for all applicants. ANMAC accepts several internationally recognized English language tests. Applicants are required to achieve a specific minimum score on each test.

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: A minimum overall score of 7 with no band less than 7.
• Occupational English Test (OET) for Nurses: A minimum score of B in each component.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: A minimum overall score of 65 with no score less than 58.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT: A minimum total score of 94 with specific minimum scores in each section (24 listening, 24 reading, 27 writing, and 23 speaking).

Apart from the score requirements, applicants should take note of the validity and acceptance criteria for the English language certificates.

• ANMAC accepts test results for up to two years.
• You only need to pass one of the accepted tests.
• If you take the same test multiple times within a six-month period, you must achieve the minimum required score in each attempt.
• Combining scores from different tests is not permitted.

If you’re a nurse seeking a skilled migration visa to Australia, it’s crucial to understand that the nursing skills assessment is just one part of the process. To streamline your application, be sure to also research the specific English language requirements for the visa you’re targeting, particularly the 494 visa and 186 visa.

By addressing both the skills assessment and visa requirements simultaneously, you can save time and ensure a smoother transition.

Nursing Academic Equivalency

To determine if your nursing qualifications meet Australian standards, ANMAC assesses the equivalency of your education and experience. This process involves evaluating your academic background to ensure it aligns with the requirements for nursing practice in Australia.

Nurses holding a bachelor’s degree (level 7) or a diploma (level 5) with further education from the following countries are likely to meet the equivalent qualification standard:

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

Additionally, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) has recognized nursing qualifications from the following countries as potentially meeting Australian quality assurance and accreditation standards:

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

Nursing Professional Experience

To successfully obtain an ANMAC Skills Assessment and potentially migrate to Australia as a nurse, you need to demonstrate substantial nursing experience. This experience must meet specific criteria to be recognized for visa points.

First, applicants have to ensure their work experience meets ANMAC’s criteria.

• Australian Work Experience: A minimum of 12 months (1040 hours) of paid nursing work in Australia.
• International Work Experience: A minimum of 36 months (3120 hours) of paid nursing work overseas.
• Recent Practice: You must have practiced as a nurse within the past five years.
• Professional References: Mandatory for paid work experience, these references must be from a direct nursing or midwifery supervisor.

However, if you have a three-year full-time bachelor’s degree in nursing from an Australian institution, you may be exempt from providing professional references.

Fit to Practice in Australia

As part of the ANMAC assessment process, applicants need to declare that:

• No disciplinary actions: You have not been subject to any previous disciplinary proceedings related to your nursing practice.
• No mental or physical restrictions: There are no limitations on your ability to practice nursing due to mental or physical incapacity.
• No criminal history: You have no criminal record that would prevent you from working as a nurse or midwife in Australia.

To know if you meet the requirements, you can contact VEM for further assistance.

ANMAC Skills Assessment process

Phase 1: Preparation

• Determine your eligibility: ANMAC offers three categories of skills assessments. Therefore, applicants have to carefully evaluate their qualifications and experience to determine the appropriate category for their application.
• Gather the necessary documents: Prepare all the necessary documents, including proof of identity, academic transcripts, nursing qualifications, registration certificates, English proficiency results, employment records, and other documents as required by ANMAC.

Phase 2: Application

• Create an ANMAC Online Account: Visit the official ANMAC website and register for an online account. Provide accurate personal information to ensure smooth application processing.
• Complete the Application Form: Fill out the online application form comprehensively, providing detailed information about your education, nursing experience, and other relevant qualifications.
• Upload Supporting Documents: Submit all required documents in the specified format. Adhere to ANMAC’s guidelines for document quality and authenticity.
• Pay Application Fees: Complete the payment process as instructed. Fees may vary depending on the assessment category and nursing occupation.
• Submit Application: Thoroughly review your application before submission. Once satisfied, submit your completed application through the online portal.

Phase 3: Assessment and Outcome

• Await Assessment: ANMAC will assess your application against Australian nursing standards. The assessment process typically takes up to 12 weeks.
• Receive Assessment Results: You will receive a notification outlining the assessment outcome, also called an Outcome Letter. A successful assessment indicates that your qualifications meet Australian nursing standards.
• Next Step: The Skill Assessment for Nurses certificate is the first step in the journey to applying for an Australian skilled migration visa. Once you’ve successfully passed, you’ll need to complete the visa application process.

To maximize your chances of success, ensure you have all required documents ready and meet strict deadlines. Plan your application well in advance to avoid any last-minute delays.

Document Format Requirements

All supporting documents uploaded for your Migration Skills Assessment must meet the following format requirements:

• Original documents only
• Scanned in color
• Scanned at a resolution of 600 dpi (dots per inch) or above.
• File must be a .pdf

Your passport-style photo must be a:

• .jpeg, .jpg or .png file type
• Recent photograph (within the last 6 months)
• Clear front-facing photograph of yourself (“selfie” style photos will not be accepted)

After you have uploaded your documents to the online portal, please make sure you scroll down the page and select ‘save’. This will ensure your documents reach the assessment team.

For detailed information, please contact VEM. Our registered migration agent (MARN: 1577877, MIA: 12648) will provide you with personalized guidance to navigate your immigration journey successfully.

By: Peter Phong D Cao – Registered migration agent.

(MARN: 1577877, MIA: 12648)

Frequently asked questions