How to Get Permanent Residency for Registered Nurse in Australia: Study, Skills Assessment & Visa Options
- RACC Australia - Education and Migration Services
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
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.
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