Moving to Australia as a nurse from the United Kingdom

Your likely registration route

The UK is among the NMBA-approved comparable jurisdictions. UK-trained RNs with at least 1,800 hours since 2017 may use Pathway 1; nurses who trained elsewhere and registered through the NMC process may use Pathway 2.

Your home regulator

You will need verification from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Some regulators send verification directly to Ahpra or ANMAC, which takes time. Start this first.

Step by step from United Kingdom

1. Check whether you meet the streamlined standard.
2. Meet the NMBA English standard: book IELTS Academic, OET, PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT, unless an exemption applies.
3. Complete the streamlined application.
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 United Kingdom

• Check your NMC registration history and hours carefully.
• You may meet the NMBA English standard without a test if you were educated in English in a recognised country. Check the standard.
• Choose the ANMAC assessment that matches your registration status.
• UK citizenship alone does not make you eligible; registration and practice do.

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