Nurses intending to migrate to Australia
Nurses who wish to migrate to Australia under the
General Skilled Migration category need to have their qualifications assessed before applying to the Department of Immigration
and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) for migration. This assessment is undertaken by the Australian Nursing Council Incorporated (ANCI). If a nurse is eligible to apply for registration in Australia,
this will count towards points that can be gained for immigration purposes.
The Australian Nursing Council Incorporated (ANCI)
The ANCI sets national standards of nursing competency and assesses the
qualifications of nurses resident overseas for migration purposes. If you are found to be eligible for registration by the
ANCI, it does not mean that you will automatically be accepted by every registration board, and a further period of supervised
practice may be necessary. Information should be obtained from the regulatory authorities in individual states or territory
(see next page).
Nurses who qualified overseas can apply
for an assessment of their qualifications provided they have completed pre-registration (or pre-enrollment)
training, hold a current registration (or enrollment) as a nurse in the country in which they trained, and have practised
in the branch of nursing they are wishing to register in within the previous 5 years.
To obtain an application form for assessment of
nursing qualifications by the ANCI, contact:
ANCI, PO Box 873, Dickson ACT 2602
Tel: 00 61 2 6257 7960
Fax: 00 61 2 6257 7955
email:
overseas@anci.org.au
There is a processing fee of Aus$500.00,
payable to ANCI prior to assessment of qualifications.
Overseas nurses who are resident in Australia
Overseas nurses who are already resident in Australia
do not need to have their qualification assessed by the ANCI. They should apply to the nurse regulatory authority in the state
in which they wish to practice.
Nurses on working holidays
Nurses who are applying for a working holiday visa
do not need to be assessed by ANCI. Those holding a working holiday visa should apply directly to the nurse regulatory authority
of the appropriate state or territory.
Demonstration of Competency Standards
Nurses registered in Australia must possess and
demonstrate the National Nursing Competency Standards. Overseas nurses must also be able to demonstrate these in order to
practice in Australia. However, the need to complete a competency based assessment programme / migrant bidding programme is
generally waived for nurses from a number of countries, including the UK.
Language requirements
Overseas educated nurses must be able to speak
English for working in Australia. Nurses from countries where English is not the first language are required to complete and
pass either the Occupational English Test (OET) for Nurses or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Further information regarding these tests should
be obtained from:
Language Australia, Level 2, 255 William Street,
Melbourne
Tel: 00 61 3 9926 4779
Fax: 00 61 3 9926 4780
email:
annl@la.ames.vic.edu.au
http://sunsite.anu.edu.au/language-australia
IELTS Australia, GPO Box 2006, Canberra ACT 2601
Tel: 00 61 2 6285 8222
Fax: 00 61 2 6285 3233
email:
ielts@idp.edu.au
www.idp.edu.au
Further requirements for nursing in Australia
It is advisable to contact the individual nurse regulatory authorities in Australia in order to find out their requirements for registration,
as each state or territory may differ.
Registration & Enrolment
The Queensland Nursing Council's (QNC's) mission is to provide
for safe and competent nursing and midwifery practice in Queensland. Issuing licences; keeping a register and roll of
licensed nurses and midwives who have completed an approved course; and assessing nurses' and midwives' competence for the
annual renewal of their licence are some of the activities we undertake to achieve this.
The requirements for eligibility for a licence to practise
nursing in Queensland are set down in sections 54 and 77 of the Nursing Act 1992. These requirements are outlined in more detail in our Registration Policy which currently under review and will
be available online soon. We accept and consider applications under the provisions of the Nursing Act 1992, the Mutual
Recognition Act 1992 and the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 2003.
When considering applications,
our primary concern is to ensure that the applicant has been appropriately educated and is fit and competent to practise as
a nurse or midwife. This may include consideration of criminal history and/or disciplinary action taken by another registering authority.
At the same time, we recognise the importance of a licence to practice for each nurse, and we are committed to providing high
quality client service and to treating all applicants fairly and equitably.
For more information about:
- What you need to consider if you want to be a nurse click here.
- Courses leading to qualifications as a nurse click here.
- Registration and enrolment in Queensland, contact us by email or phone us on (07) 3223 5111 or 1300 139 993 (Queensland callers
outside Brisbane).
