Nursing skill assessment in Australia

Feeling overwhelmed by the nursing skill assessment? Well, it is conducted by the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) for migrating nurses. It is a mandatory qualification and skills assessment done to ensure nurses meet Australian standards for Skilled Migration.

The main nursing skill assessment pathways:

• Full skills assessment
• Modified skills assessment
• GradReady skills assessment
• Direct care skills assessment

Accepted tests: IELTS, PTE, OET, and TOEFL

• IELTS: 7.0 overall and a minimum of 6.5 in one component
• OET: B in listening, reading, and speaking, and C+ in writing
• PTE: 66 overall and a minimum of 56 in writing
• TOEFL: 94 overall with 24 in listening, reading, and writing, and 23 in speaking

Documents required:

• Identity and personal documents: passport, at least two different official IDs, Passport-sized photo
• Qualification documents: graduation certificate, official transcript, evidence of Educational documents
• Documents proving registration as a nurse
• English proficiency document

• Step 1:  Check eligibility

Confirm this is the right nursing skills assessment for you. It is for nurses, support workers and personal care assistants only. Reassure the correct assessment for you. This depends on your current registration status. The modified skills assessment is for nurses and midwives who are registered in Australia and New Zealand. The full skills assessment is for internationally qualified nurses and midwives without Australian or New Zealand registration.

• Step 2: Gather your documents

Collect all the required documents that are necessary for the nursing skills assessment, which include a passport, PP sized photo, and two other forms of ID. Gather your educational certificates and transcripts for nursing qualifications, experience letters, and reference letters. For the full pathway, you can’t upload a scanned copy of your certificate, and you must contact your overseas registration body and ask them to send the verification through their official process.

• Step 3: Submit your application

Create an ANMAC account on the Skilled Migrant Portal. Complete the online application form for your chosen pathway and pay the non-refundable fee according to the assessment you applied for.

• Step 4: Upload your documents

Upload the required documents in the portal. Applications can be finalized with missing documents, creating delays. You can email ANMAC to let them know if you applied from 3rd party.

• Step 5: Wait for processing

Processing time is around 6 to 8 weeks for nursing skill assessment. ANMAC will contact you if more information is needed. Once processing is successful, ANMAC will email your Outcome Letter. This is the key document for your visa application and is valid for 2 years. If unsuccessful, you will receive feedback on areas for improvement.

• Incomplete or wrong documentation

Submitting black-and-white scans, blurry photos, incomplete photos from transcripts, or doubtful documents would hamper your application for nursing skill assessment.

•  Expired or missing registration evidence

Submitting a certificate of good standing for nursing skill assessment that is more than 6 months old or not submitting graduate certificates and registration certificates from your home country.

• Insufficient or incorrect work experience

Providing documents that don’t meet the ANMAC criteria and not providing proof of work experience.

• Unrecognized qualification or missing evidence

Eligibilty maybe affected if your nursing qualifications are not recognized under the pathway’s streamlined process, or if you can't provide proof of your clinical training hours.

• Non-genuine claims

Submitting documentation for nursing skill assessment that is found to contain false information or claims that can't be verified.

If successful, ANMAC will email you an Outcome Letter, which is valid for 2 years and is required for the application for your visa.

The ANMAC assessment is for your visa, and AHPRA registration is for working in Australia. You need both.

Visa options:

• Subclass 189 – Permanent residency, no sponsor needed.
• Subclass 190 – Permanent residency, requires state/territory nomination.
• Subclass 491 – Provisional visa, regional work required.
• Subclass 482 – Temporary work visa, requires employer sponsorship.

Individuals should:

• Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect for points-based visas.
• Update the ANMAC letter, which can be done twice in 2 years and must have at least 3 months of validity left.

If unsuccessful 

• You need to wait 2 years to re-apply.
• You can appeal within 30 days of getting your outcome letter. A non-refundable fee of AUD 300 applies for an appeal.

Source: ANMAC official document.

Search Education is a registered, trusted education and migration consultancy based in Sydney, with over 10 years of experience, known for its transparency with students and for showing them the best path. Our team of QAEC-certified counsellors and registered migration agents can help you with a Nursing skills assessment, giving you an edge in achieving your goals. So when you come to us, you know you are in safe and experienced hands.

We give you honest and practical advice. We will not make big promises we cannot keep. Our team of qualified counsellors and registered migration agents will look at your situation carefully and tell you what is possible. If there are any problems, we will be open with you and help you find a way to fix them. We want to guide you only on paths that truly work. With our help, you can move closer to your dream of becoming a nurse in Australia with confidence.