top of page

How to Get Permanent Residency for Registered Nurse in Australia: Study, Skills Assessment & Visa Options


Registered Nurse PR Pathway Australia

If you are a registered nurse looking to secure Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia, 2025 is an ideal time to act. Australia faces a severe nursing shortage, with projections indicating over 70,000 additional nurses will be needed by 2035. This strong demand has placed registered nurses on Australia’s priority migration lists, making it one of the clearest and most accessible occupations for skilled migration.


How to Become a Registered Nurse in Australia


Step 1: Complete a Bachelor of Nursing


To become a registered nurse eligible for PR in Australia, you must complete an approved Bachelor of Nursing program. This typically takes three years. However, you may qualify for an accelerated two-year program if you:


  • Hold a bachelor’s degree in another field

  • Have completed a Diploma of Nursing


It is essential to ensure the course is accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).


Step 2: Register with AHPRA


After graduating, you must register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Registration requirements include:


  • Meeting English language proficiency (typically IELTS 7.0 overall, no band less than 7.0)

  • Passing criminal history and background checks

  • Providing evidence of recency of practice, if applicable


For internationally qualified nurses, the AHPRA Self-check determines the correct assessment pathway.



How to Get a Skills Assessment for PR as a Registered Nurse


A key step in the PR pathway for registered nurses is obtaining a positive skills assessment from the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC). This assessment verifies that your qualifications and skills match Australian standards.


Notably, no minimum work experience is required for registered nurses to receive a positive ANMAC assessment, making this one of the fastest pathways among healthcare occupations.


New Fast-Track Registration Process for International Nurses in 2025


As of April 23, 2025, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) has introduced a new General Registration for Internationally Qualified Registered Nurses (IQRNs) standard. This new standard creates two additional streamlined registration pathways for internationally qualified registered nurses (IQRNs) who have practiced in comparable international jurisdictions.


Eligible Comparable Countries for Fast-Track Registration


The following countries are approved as comparable international regulatory jurisdictions:


  • United Kingdom

  • Ireland

  • United States

  • Singapore

  • Spain

  • Canada (selected provinces)


If you qualified and practiced in one of these countries, you may now benefit from a significantly faster assessment and registration process, cutting months off your application timeline. For IQRNs from countries not on this list, the existing NMBA assessment process remains available.


Visa Options for Registered Nurses Seeking PR in Australia


Once you have your positive skills assessment, you can apply for ALL skilled and employer-sponsored visas.


Skilled Migration Visas

  • Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa

  • Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa (State Sponsorship)

  • Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa


These visas are points-tested, with many registered nurses receiving invitations with as few as 65 points.


Employer-Sponsored Visas

  • Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage Visa

  • Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme Visa

  • Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa

  • Subclass 407 Training Visa


Registered nurses are listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), making them eligible for permanent and temporary visa streams.


Why Now is the Best Time for Registered Nurses to Apply for PR in Australia


  • Critical national shortage: Over 70,000 nurses needed by 2035

  • Streamlined PR pathways: Priority occupation on the migration lists

  • Fast-track registration options: Available for nurses from select comparable countries

  • Strong earning potential: Starting salaries of AUD 85,000 or more

  • Government support: New processes to accelerate international nurse registration


These factors combine to make nursing one of the strongest and most reliable PR pathways in Australia today.


Take the Next Step Towards PR as a Registered Nurse


If you want to secure Permanent Residency as a registered nurse in Australia, now is the time to act. Completing the right qualifications, securing registration, and applying through the appropriate visa channels can open the door to a stable career and a long-term future in Australia.


For tailored advice, speak with a registered migration agent or education consultant to map out your nursing PR pathway effectively.



Other Updates

Address

Australia Office:
343 Little Collins Street 

Melbourne VIC 3000

Level 7, Suite 715 - 716

Contact

+61 405 118 321

+61 420 746 705

Office Hours : 9 am - 6 pm Mon - Fri.

Closed on public holidays

© 2024 RACC Australia; Migration Agent Registration Number (MARN) 1572961

bottom of page