APHRA Registration for Nurses and Midwives
Terms and their meanings
APHRA - The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Aphra) is the national organisation responsible for implementing the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (the National Scheme) across Australia.
NMBA - Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
IQNM- Internationally Qualified Nurses and Midwives
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) have introduced significant changes in the registration process for Internationally Qualified Registered Nurses (IQRNs), effective from April 2025
Qualification-Based Registration: This pathway is for nurses who have completed their nursing education in AHPRA-approved countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, United States, Canada, Singapore, and Spain. Eligibility criteria include having at least 1,800 hours of practice since 2017 and meeting AHPRA's standards
Direct Registration Without NCLEX & OSCE: This pathway is designed for nurses who are already registered in AHPRA-approved countries. It requires 1,800 hours of practice since 2017 and does not require NCLEX or OSCE for direct registration
How to apply for AHPRA Registration - STREAM A Applicants
Overseas qualified applicants must meet the registration standards of their health profession which includes the English language skills registration standard and the Criminal history registration standard (including an international criminal history check if you have lived overseas for a period of six consecutive months or more as an adult).
STEP 1 - Complete the self- check
Stream A candidates must first pay the IQNM assessment fee in order to proceed in the IQNM assessment process. Following payment, Stream A candidates must successfully complete the following assessment stage to be eligible to apply for registration: Then pay the IQNM assessment fee $AUD 640
STEP 2 Orientation part 1
An online learning course providing an introduction to Australia and the Australian healthcare context. All internationally qualified nurses and midwives (IQNMs) who wish to register and work in Australia as a registered nurse, enrolled nurse, or midwife must complete an orientation to the Australian healthcare setting. There are two parts to the orientation. Orientation Part 1 must be completed before registration and Part 2 must be completed after registration. Candidates must complete Orientation Part 1 within 90 days from creating their account after completing Self-check in order to progress to apply for registration.
STEP 3- Document Checklist
Evidence of Identity
Change of name if applicable
Academic qualifications
Registration History
Work History
Criminal History if applicable
English Language Skills
There are currently five English language tests that are accepted by National Boards. The score you need to achieve depends on which English test you complete. The tables below set out the accepted tests and the relevant minimum scores required in each of the component skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing), and the required overall scores needed. View here
Cambridge - C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (paper and computer at test centre only)
IELTS Academic - International English Language Testing System (Academic - paper and computer at test centre only)
OET - Occupational English Test (on paper or computer based in testing centre)
PTE Academic - Pearson Test of English Academic (computer at test centre only)
TOEFL iBT - Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (computer at test centre only)
Important Accreditation requirement- Your university or education provider to provide evidence that, at the time you completed the course of study, the education provider was subject to an external accreditation process that ensures that the standards and quality of the education it provides to students is monitored, assessed and evaluated.
Certifying documents for APHRA
You will be required to provide certified copies of original documents in support of an application for registration, endorsement or for other purposes required by the National Law. The application form will outline which documents must be certified.
A 'certified copy' of an original document is a copy that has been verified as being a true copy of an original document. This is done by a person who is authorised to certify copies of original documents.
Who can certify documents?
Notary public
Justice of the peace
Australian Consular Officer or Australian Diplomatic Officer
Employee of the Commonwealth or the Australian Trade Commission who works outside Australia.
An Authorised Officer should do the following in the presence of the applicant:
inspect the original document to ensure that it is an original document.
inspect the copy to ensure it is identical to the original document.
write or stamp (if relevant) the copy with the words, 'I have sighted the original document and certify this to be a true copy of the original' on the first page.
write or stamp (if relevant) the photograph on photographic documentation (e.g. license, passport, etc.) with the words 'I certify that this is a true copy of the original and the photograph is a true likeness of the person presenting the document as sighted by me;' sign and date the copy;
write or stamp (if relevant) the copy with:
your full name
your occupation or profession (including your occupation or profession number, if relevant) and
your phone number.
Certified documents must:
be signed by the Authorised Officer
on documents with more than one page, be initialed on every page and all pages numbered (i.e. page 2 of 5)
be annotated on the first page with the words 'I have sighted the original document and certify this to be a true copy of the original', and
list the name, date of certification, contact phone number and occupation or profession (including occupation or profession number, if relevant) and have the stamp or seal of the Authorised Officer (if relevant).
Any documents containing a photograph must be annotated by the Authorised Officer with the statement, 'I certify that this is a true copy of the original and the photograph is a true likeness of the person presenting the document as sighted by me.'
Disclaimer
Professional Connections has summarized the steps from the AHPRA site. We expect you to read the web site, we do not take responsibility for these instructions.
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