For internationally qualified registered nurses (IQRNs) seeking to migrate to Australia through skilled migration, a clearer and earlier pathway is now officially available.

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) has announced that from 1 July 2025, it will expand eligibility for the Full Skills Assessment, allowing more overseas-trained nurses to complete a key step in the migration process earlier.

What’s the key change?

Previously, IQRNs were typically required to obtain registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) before they could undergo a skills assessment. With this update, nurses from the following six recognised countries may now be eligible to complete the Full Skills Assessment without holding Ahpra registration:

• United Kingdom (UK)
• Ireland
• United States (US)
• Canada
• Singapore
• Spain

This policy shift allows eligible applicants to complete their skills assessment earlier, potentially expediting their pathway to visas such as subclass 189, 190 or 491, and streamlining the overall migration timeline.

Who is eligible?

You may be eligible for ANMAC’s Full Skills Assessment if you meet one of the following criteria:

◾ Option 1

You completed your initial nursing qualification and currently hold registration as a nurse in one of the above six countries.

◾ Option 2

You completed a three-year or longer nursing qualification after 1 January 2017, gained registration in one of the recognised countries via a licensing exam (e.g. NCLEX-RN), and have at least 1,800 hours of paid clinical nursing experience in that country.

Other Full Skills Assessment requirements

Regardless of country of origin, all applicants must still meet ANMAC’s standard Full Skills Assessment criteria, including:

• English language proficiency (e.g. IELTS score of 7.0 in all bands or equivalent)
• Qualification verification and curriculum comparison
• Employer references confirming relevant work experience
• Document authenticity and formatting compliance

Why does this matter?

This update provides a significant advantage for internationally trained nurses:

• Enables earlier commencement of the migration process
• Offers greater flexibility in managing Ahpra and skills assessment timelines
• Reduces risk of duplicated applications and unnecessary delays

If you have any questions or would like professional assistance, please feel free to contact us at Riverwood Migration (Email: enquiry@riverwoodmigration.com). We are committed to providing transparent, expert migration services to help you achieve your dream of moving to Australia.

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