Moving to Australia as a nurse from India

Your likely registration route

Indian-trained nurses generally use the standard IQNM process. GNM diploma holders and B.Sc. Nursing graduates can receive different Self-check outcomes.

Your home regulator

You will need verification from the Indian Nursing Council and State Nursing Councils. Some regulators send verification directly to Ahpra or ANMAC, which takes time. Start this first.

Step by step from India

1. Check whether you meet the streamlined standard through registration in another country; if not, complete the Self-check.
2. Meet the NMBA English standard: book IELTS Academic, OET, PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT, unless an exemption applies.
3. Complete your stream steps, which may include the NCLEX-RN and OSCE.
4. Choose a visa: points-tested (189, 190, 491) or employer-sponsored (482, 186, 494).
5. Apply for the right ANMAC assessment if your visa needs one.
6. Gather visa documents, including police certificates and health examinations.

Tips for nurses from India

• Registration is usually held with a State Nursing Council; obtain verification from the council where you are registered.
• Keep documents for both GNM and any later B.Sc. or Post Basic B.Sc. if you hold them.
• Name mismatches between certificates are common. Fix them before applying.
• Test centres for IELTS, OET, PTE and NCLEX-RN operate in several Indian cities.

If you have worked in a comparable country

Many Indian-trained nurses work in the UK, Ireland or US first. After registering there and completing 1,800 hours, Pathway 2 may apply.

Common difficulties

• Slow verification from the home regulator or university
• Name or date inconsistencies across documents
• English section scores just below the minimum
• Using unregistered agents who promise guaranteed outcomes