Fast tracked AHPRA conversion for overseas nurses
Published February 2025
From April 2025, internationally qualified nurses from six countries will be able to receive their AHPRA registration using a more effective, less timely process.
Nurses from the United Kingdom, Ireland. the United States, Singapore, Spain and parts of Canada (British Columbia and Ontario) will be able to register as a healthcare practitioner in Australia between one and six months from the start of the process, as opposed to the nine to twelve months needed in the existing timeframe. The new standard removes the requirement for NMBA examinations or qualifications with greater flexibility. This is to meet the demand for healthcare professionals in Australia, with the country seeing a shortfall of over 70,000 nurses in 2025.
This additional pathway is for those coming from the six countries mentioned above, who have practiced for at least 1,800 hours. The bridging program, a program of study used previously for internationally qualified nurses will no longer apply, cutting out the need for further study and exams.
The new nursing qualification conversion process
To become a nurse in Australia for those who obtained their qualifications in NMBA Comparable Jurisdictions (such as the countries stated above) will need to show:
- Evidence of 1,800 hours completed work as a registered nurse post 1st January 2017
- A statement from their employer verifying their competency
- Their nursing registration
- A Certificate of Good Standing
- Character, security and compliance checks such as police and criminal history, English language proficiency, professional indemnity insurance, and work history
Nurses who qualified outside Non-Comparable Jurisdictions will need the above, plus:
- Completing of an examination within in NBMA approved jurisdiction.
Moving to Australia as a registered nurse
Given the changes to the pathway for registered nurses to practice in Australia, and the workforce shortages, now is the time to make the move in the hopes of securing short and long term work, and potentially long term stay in the country.
If you are interested in working in Australia as a registered nurse, read about one of our nurses journey migrating from overseas, and contact our team today for more information on placements across the country in residential aged care homes.
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Hi,
This is Sonal Christina Chand, I am a Fiji experienced, AHPRA registered nurse. AHPRA reg. number: NMW0004002561. I have close to 10 years of nursing experience ranging from setting to setting. I am particularly interested in working as an aged care nurse. Any assistance would be great.
Looking forward for a favorable response.
Warm Regards
Sonal Chand
Hi Sonal, thanks for your message. If you can send your resume to marketing@sanctuaryrecruitment.com, our team will review your experience against our current vacancies.
As Singapore being a NMBA Comparable Jurisdiction will APHRA accept Registered Nurses from Singapore with only Diploma in nursing qualification from Singapore to be registered in Australia as registered nurses or do these nurses still need a degree to be a registered nurse in Australia. Singapore accepts Diploma in nursing graduates who completed their Diploma from Singapore Polytechnics to be register with the Singapore Nursing Board as Registered nurse and practice. Is there any clarification on this please?
Many thanks
Hi, if you get in contact with AHPRA they will be able to tell you if you need to gain further qualifications to be registered on par with the Australian standard of nurses. More information can be found here: https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/International-practitioners.aspx