Australia’s skilled migration program enables suitably skilled overseas workers in selected occupations, such as in nursing, to qualify for a temporary or permanent residence visa to Australia. In certain cases, a temporary skilled visa may provide a pathway to permanent residence at a future date. The program is principally designed to address skilled labour shortages in the local employment market. It achieves this with a highly targeted approach whereby specific areas of need are identified and appropriately addressed.
Skilled Occupation List
A key element in this regard are the identified skilled occupations which are experiencing labour market pressures across Australia. A series of Skilled Occupation Lists (SOL) have been compiled based on current market conditions, each setting out the skilled occupations which may be nominated for each skilled visa subclass. As demand and supply pressures for these occupations change over time, these lists are reviewed and modified in response to these market conditions.
Targeted Approach
Certain skilled visa options go one step further by targeting skills shortages in certain geographical areas (including in regional Australia). Employers can also sponsor or nominate suitably skilled applicants to fill vacancies in individual businesses, thereby addressing an employer-specific need. An example of this is a nursing sponsorship Australia.
There are several skilled visa options available, with each one designed to meet a specific purpose, as outlined above. These comprise independent, state sponsored, regional sponsored, employer sponsored and nominated skilled visas and training and temporary graduate skilled visas. An example of an independent visa is a subclass 189 visa for nurses. An enrolled nurse 491 visa is an example of a regional state or family sponsored visa.
Each skilled visa subclass is subject to a prescribed set of visa lodgement and grant requirements, a key part of which is the relevant SOL which prescribes the selected skilled occupations which may be nominated for that visa subclass.
Skills Assessment
To be deemed ‘suitably qualified’ for a nominated occupation under the skilled visa program, applicants are required to demonstrate that they possess a minimum level of skills, qualifications and/or employment experience as prescribed by the migration provisions for the relevant skilled visa class which is being applied for. This may include the requirement that an applicant obtains a positive skills assessment in their nominated occupation (to be completed by a specified skills assessing body). The skills assessment must be within the accepted validity date (which is normally either three years from the date of issue, or on a date earlier if specified in the skills assessment).
It must also be the correct type of skills assessment. Applicants must have a skills assessment that meets the requirements for the visa for which they are applying. For example, some assessing authorities offer a provisional skills assessment for recent graduates of Australian educational institutions who are applying for a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa. A provisional skills assessment issued for this purpose is not a suitable skills assessment for a permanent residence skilled visa application, for example.
English Language
English language criteria also apply, which may require applicants to complete a prescribed English language test and achieve a specified minimum test score (there are exemptions in certain cases). Be aware that English test results are valid for a limited period (depending on the class of visa being applied for and the level of English competency required).
What Are The Possible Skilled Visa Options For Nurse Immigration Australia?
Before we delve into the detail about the nursing occupations which may qualify for a skilled nursing visa Australia, let us start our discussion by introducing the main types of skilled visas that may be available for nurse immigration Australia. We also provide links to further information on these visa options below.
Employer Sponsored Skilled Visa
The range of skilled visas options that may be available to specific occupations include the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 visa, which is an employer sponsored temporary visa that may be granted for up to four years. It consists of three visa streams, namely, a Short-term, Medium-term and Labour Agreement stream (the labour agreement stream includes nomination in regional areas of Australia under a Designated Area Migration Agreement). The subclass 482 visa may provide a pathway to permanent residence with an employer nominated visa after two years (transitional arrangements are available to certain subclass 457 visa holders, the predecessor to the current TSS visa).
Under this employer sponsored skilled visa option, a nursing sponsorship Australia may be available to certain nursing occupations.
Employer Nominated Skilled Visa
Applicants seeking an employer nominated permanent residence visa who are prepared to commit to remaining with their nominating employer for at least two years from visa grant may consider a Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa.
The subclass 186 employer nominated visa comprises of a Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) and Labour Agreement stream. The TRT option provides a pathway to permanent residence for all TSS subclass 482 visa holders (and for holders of its predecessor, the Temporary Work (Skilled) 457 visa under transitional arrangements) after two years. This pathway is also available under the labour agreement stream in certain cases. The Direct Entry stream is for eligible applicants who automatically qualify for permanent residence.
Employer Sponsored Regional Visa
Pre-16 November 2019, there was also another option for permanent residence under the Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa, however this was replaced by the Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (which has a five year term). Transitional arrangements were put in place for certain applicants to still be able to qualify for permanent residence under the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the RSMS program following its closure on 16 November 2019.
These changes only affect the Direct Entry visa stream under the subclass 187 visa program. Applications remain open to eligible Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) and Subclass 457 Temporary Work (Skilled) visa holders under the TRT stream.
Keep this in mind as you read below; certain occupations that are eligible for nurse immigration Australia will refer to the subclass 187 visa.
Eligible subclass 494 visa holders may also qualify for a Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after three years.
Under this employer sponsored skilled regional visa option, a nursing sponsorship Australia may be available to certain nursing occupations.
General Skilled Migration Visa
The General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa program offers the following three skilled visa options (all of which are points-based):
- Subclass 189 Skilled (Independent) visa (a permanent residence visa);
- Subclass 190 Skilled (State Sponsored) visa (a permanent residence visa that requires State Sponsorship approval); and
- Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa.
Certain nursing occupations may qualify for a subclass 189 visa for nurses and/or a subclass 190 visa for nurses. An enrolled nurse 491 visa is also an option that is available for that specific occupation.
Pre-16 November 2019, there was also another GSM option available under the Subclass 489 Skilled (Regional) visa (a temporary residence visa which comprised of State Sponsored and Family Sponsored visa streams, and which provided a pathway to permanent residence after two years. The subclass 489 visa program was replaced with the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa as of 16 November 2019.
Under the transitional arrangements, applications under the Second Provisional Visa stream of the Subclass 489 visa continue to be accepted. To qualify under this stream, you must hold a subclass 475, 487, 495 or 496 visa at time of lodgement of your application. Be aware that these visa subclasses are no longer being granted by the Department of Home Affairs.
The changes also do not affect the Subclass 887 Skilled (Regional) visa permanent residence visa pathway, which continues to be available to eligible subclass 489 visa holders.
Keep this in mind as you read below; certain occupations that are eligible for nurse immigration Australia will refer to the subclass 489 visa.
Eligible subclass 491 visa holders may qualify for a Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after three years.
You will see in our discussion below that one potential option for a nursing visa Australia is an enrolled nurse 491 visa, which provides a pathway to permanent residence with the subclass 191 visa after three years.
The GSM program operates under an invitation-based system, whereby applicants must first lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) with the Department of Home Affairs (the Department). Only upon receipt of an invitation can applicants then proceed to apply for the visa itself. Periodically, we publish a summary of the results for invitations issued in the most recent invitation round (which normally takes place quarterly). We refer you to the latest invitation round results.
Get More Information On Skilled Visas
Skilled Regional State Sponsorship Visa
For further information on the subclass 491 and 494 visas, please see the following articles:
New Skilled Regional Visas to be introduced
Further Regulations released for the new regional sponsored visas to commence from 16 November 2019
Applications for the new provisional regional sponsored visas are now open
Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme
Skilled State Sponsorship Visa
For more information on the subclass 190 visa, please see our articles on the Subclass 190 State Sponsorship Visa and Adelaide 190 Visa.
Also refer to our Australian Permanent Resident Visa Case Study article to read about a real-life case study where PAX Migration Australia assisted a client to apply for a subclass 190 visa and who, after a long migration journey, was finally granted permanent residence in Australia.
You can read a further case study example in our State Sponsorship Visas In Australia article which explains how a client successfully applying for a state sponsorship visa with PAX Migration Australia’s assistance.
Skilled Visas
To learn more about applying for a skilled visa, please see the following articles:
State Sponsorship Visas In Australia
Australian Skilled Migration Visa List
General Skilled Migration Visa Options
General Skilled Migration Visa Points
Employer Nomination Migration Scheme
Employer Sponsor Visa Requirements
Changes To 457 Temporary Work Skilled Visa
Business Requirements For Accredited Sponsorship
English Requirements For Skilled Visas
Does 482 Visa Require Skills Assessment
Training Visa
The Subclass 407 Training visa is an occupational training temporary residence visa which may be granted for a period of up to two years. It requires sponsorship by either an Australian organisation or government agency (including a foreign government). A nomination may also be required, depending on the type of sponsoring entity.
Get More Information On The Training Visa
You can learn more about the subclass 407 Training visa in our article titled What is 407 training visa and how to apply for it?
Temporary Graduate Visa
Recent international student visa graduates may consider a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa, which enables eligible applicants to reside temporarily in Australia for between 18 months and four years (depending on the visa stream selected, being either the Graduate Work or Post-Study Work stream). We have produced a series of guides on the subclass 485 which provide further detailed information on important aspects that potential applicants should be aware of before applying.
Get More Information On The Temporary Graduate Visa
We recommend that you refer to the articles below which we have prepared to assist you in understanding how the Temporary Graduate visa application works and issues you need to be aware of when embarking on this type of application, including its features and eligibility requirements.
Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485
International Graduates Continue to Get Caught Out on Graduate Visa
Qualification criteria for Temporary Graduate subclass 485 visa
Occupation lists – what are they and how do they apply to graduates?
Difference Between Post Study Work Stream vs Graduate Work Stream
Comprehensive Guide to Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 Visa
Top 5 Graduate Visa Tips AND How to spend your time on a graduate visa wisely
Which Visa Options Are Available For Each Skilled Occupation?
In our new article series, we take a closer look at the Australian visa options for a selected range of occupations, focusing on those which may provide good opportunities for migration to Australia, including nurse immigration Australia, as well as the most popular occupations which typically attract the most interest from prospective skilled visa applicants. Each article in this series will explore in more detail how each selected occupation is classified and defined in Australia for migration purposes and the potential skilled visa options which may be available in these selected nominated occupations.
The first instalment in this series focuses the spotlight on nursing, which presents a range of skilled nursing visa Australia options for eligible applicants. Many nursing specialisations are on the Skilled Occupations Lists for selected skilled visa subclasses, as well as a more general Registered Nurses NEC (Not Elsewhere Classified). Senior level occupations such as Nursing Clinical Director, Educator, Manager and Researcher are also eligible for nomination, as are Enrolled and Mothercraft Nurses who work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or Midwife.
Nursing Support and Personal Care roles such as a Hospital Orderly, Nursing Support Worker, Personal Care Assistant and Therapy Aide cannot currently be nominated for a skilled visa to Australia (although this may change based on adjusting labour market conditions in the future).
To work as a nurse in Australia, applicants must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Applications for registration must be lodged with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). To register, applicants must meet requirements covering qualifications, criminal history, English language skills, recency of practice and professional indemnity insurance.
Which Nursing Occupations May Qualify For An Australia Skilled Visa?
For migration law purposes, each nominated occupation is defined based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), which is a system used to classify all occupations in the Australian labour market. The ANZSCO data provides a general description of each occupation, the skill level (which specifies minimum qualifications and/or work experience requirements), registration and/or licensing requirements (where applicable) and a list of tasks and duties that may be required to be performed as part of each occupation. Each occupation is assigned a unique ANZSCO code, which is used to identify the occupations that are eligible for a skilled visa for nurse immigration Australia.
The following nursing occupations may qualify for an Australian skilled nursing visa Australia:
Enrolled And Mothercraft Nurses
There are two occupations included in the enrolled and mothercraft nurses ANZSCO unit group 4114, with the following common elements:
ANZSCO General Description: provide nursing care to patients in hospitals, aged care and other health care facilities and in the community and assist parents in providing care to newborn infants under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or Midwife.
ANZSCO Skill level: AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma (ANZSCO Skill Level 2)
A description of each occupation in the enrolled and mothercraft nurses ANZSCO group is listed below. Note that the SOL and skilled visa options are not the same for these two occupations.
|
ANZSCO Occupation |
ANZSCO code |
ANZSCO Description |
Skilled Occupation List |
Skilled Visa options |
|
Enrolled Nurse |
411411 |
Provides nursing care to patients in a variety of health, aged care, welfare and community settings under the supervision of Registered Nurses. Registration or licensing is required. |
STSOL RSMS, ROL |
Skilled (State Sponsored) subclass 190 visa Skilled (Regional) subclass 489 visa (State Sponsored) Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) subclass 187 visa Training subclass 407 visa Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 visa (Short Term Stream) Skilled Work Regional (provisional) subclass 491 visa Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) subclass 494 (Employer sponsored stream) |
|
Mothercraft Nurse |
411412 |
Provides care to newborn infant and provides advice and training on infant care to parents of newborn infants. Registration or licensing is required. |
RSMS, ROL |
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) subclass 187 visa Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) subclass 494 (Employer sponsored stream) |
As you can see from the above table, an enrolled nurse 491 visa nominated by a State or Territory Government is one nursing visa Australia option that is available for nurse immigration Australia, with a pathway to permanent residence after three years.
As noted above, even through the above two occupations are included in the same unit group, they have different visa options. And so, for example, the enrolled nurse 491 visa is not an option that is available to the mothercraft nurse occupation.
Similarly, the subclass 190 visa for nurses is also an option that is available for the enrolled nurse occupation, as is a subclass 482 visa sponsorship for nurses in Australia. This is not, however, available to the mothercraft nurse occupation.
Both occupations can qualify for a nursing sponsorship Australia under the subclass 494 visa.
Health And Welfare Services Managers
There is one occupation included in the Health and Welfare Services Managers ANZSCO unit 1342 group, with the following elements:
ANZSCO General Description: plan, organise, direct, control and coordinate the professional and administrative aspects of health and welfare programs and services.
ANZSCO Skill level: Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification and at least five years of relevant experience. In some instances, relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1). Registration or licensing may be required.
Skilled Occupation List: Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
Skilled Visa options:
- Skilled (Independent) subclass 189 visa
- Skilled (State Sponsored) subclass 190 visa
- Skilled (Regional) subclass 489 visa (State or Family Sponsored)
- Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) subclass 186 visa
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) subclass 187 visa (MLTSSL)
- Training subclass 407 visa
- Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 visa (Medium Term Stream)
- Temporary Graduate subclass 485 visa (Graduate Work Stream) *
- Skilled Work Regional (provisional) subclass 491 visa
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) subclass 494 (Employer sponsored stream)
* Potential applicants may also qualify under the Post-Study Work Stream, which does not apply a Skilled Occupation List.
A description of the occupation in the Health and Welfare Services Managers ANZSCO group is listed below.
|
ANZSCO Occupation |
ANZSCO code |
ANZSCO Description |
|
Nursing Clinical Director |
134212 |
Plans, organises, directs, controls and coordinates nursing programs and clinical services in a hospital, aged care or other health service facility, maintains standards of nursing care, provides leadership to ensure an appropriately skilled nursing and midwifery workforce, and contributes to health service planning. Registration or licensing may be required. |
As you can see from the above table, a nursing clinical director has several nursing visa Australia options available. This includes a subclass 482 visa sponsorship for nurses in Australia, a subclass 189 visa for nurses, a subclass 190 visa for nurses and a nursing sponsorship Australia under the subclass 494 visa.
Nurse Educators And Researchers
There are two occupations included in the nurse educators and researchers ANZSCO unit group 2542, with the following common elements:
ANZSCO General Description: provide clinical and theoretical education to and promote professional development of nurses and midwives, and conduct research into nursing practice.
ANZSCO Skill level: Occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification and at least five years relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).
Skilled Occupation List: Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), ROL
Skilled Visa options:
- Skilled (State Sponsored) subclass 190 visa
- Skilled (Regional) subclass 489 visa (State Sponsored)
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) subclass 187 visa (ROL)
- Training subclass 407 visa
- Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 visa (Short Term Stream)
- Skilled Work Regional (provisional) subclass 491 visa
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) subclass 494 (Employer sponsored stream)
A description of each occupation in the nurse educators and researchers ANZSCO group is listed below.
|
ANZSCO Occupation |
ANZSCO code |
ANZSCO Description |
|
Nurse Educator |
254211 |
Designs, plans, implements and evaluates the delivery of nursing education and staff development programs, and manages educational resources. |
|
Nurse Researcher |
254212 |
Designs, conducts and evaluates nursing and interdisciplinary research projects, and promotes the implementation of research findings into clinical nursing practice. |
As you can see from the above table, a nurse educator and nurse research each have several nursing visa Australia options available. This includes a subclass 482 visa sponsorship for nurses in Australia, a subclass 190 visa for nurses and a nursing sponsorship Australia under the subclass 494 visa.
Nurse Managers
There is one occupation included in the nurse managers ANZSCO unit group 2543, with the following elements:
ANZSCO General Description: manage health service units and sub-units of hospitals, aged care and community health care facilities, supervise nursing staff and financial resources to enable the provision of safe, cost effective nursing care within specified fields or for particular units, and monitor quality, clinical standards and professional development of nurses. Directors of Nursing are excluded from this unit group.
ANZSCO Skill level: Occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification and at least five years relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 1). Registration or licensing is required.
Skilled Occupation List: Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
Skilled Visa options:
- Skilled (State Sponsored) subclass 190 visa
- Skilled (Regional) subclass 489 visa (State sponsored)
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) subclass 187 visa (ROL)
- Training subclass 407 visa
- Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 visa (Short Term Stream)
- Skilled Work Regional (provisional) subclass 491 visa
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) subclass 494 (Employer sponsored stream)
A description of the occupation in the nurse managers ANZSCO group is listed below.
|
ANZSCO Occupation |
ANZSCO code |
ANZSCO Description |
|
Nurse Manager |
254311 |
Manages a health service unit or sub-unit of a hospital, aged care or community health care facility, supervises nursing staff and financial resources to enable the provision of safe, cost effective nursing care within a specified field or for a particular unit, and monitors quality, clinical standards and professional development of nurses. |
As you can see from the above table, a nurse manager has a number of nursing visa Australia options available. This includes a subclass 482 visa sponsorship for nurses in Australia, a subclass 190 visa for nurses and a nursing sponsorship Australia under the subclass 494 visa.
Registered Nurses
The registered nurses ANZSCO group covers several occupations, all of which share the following common elements:
ANZSCO General Description: provide nursing care to patients in hospitals, aged care and other health care facilities, and in the community.
ANZSCO Skill level: Occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1). Registration or licensing is required.
Skilled Occupation List: Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
Skilled Visa options:
- Skilled (Independent) subclass 189 visa
- Skilled (State Sponsored) subclass 190 visa
- Skilled (Regional) subclass 489 visa (State or Family Sponsored)
- Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) subclass 186 visa
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) subclass 187 visa (MLTSSL)
- Training subclass 407 visa
- Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 visa (Medium Term Stream)
- Temporary Graduate subclass 485 visa (Graduate Work Stream). (Note that potential applicants may also qualify under the Post-Study Work Stream, which does not apply a Skilled Occupation List)
- Skilled Work Regional (provisional) subclass 491 visa
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) subclass 494 (Employer sponsored stream)
A description of each occupation in the Registered nurse ANZSCO group is listed below.
|
ANZSCO Occupation |
ANZSCO code |
ANZSCO Description |
|
Nurse Practitioner |
254411 |
Provides advanced and extended nursing care to patients, such as ordering diagnostic tests, undertaking diagnosis and health assessments, prescribing patient care management, medicines and therapies, as authorised in relevant nursing legislation, and referring to specialist Medical Practitioners and other Health Professionals in a range of health, welfare and community settings. |
|
Registered Nurse (Aged Care) |
254412 |
Provides nursing care to the elderly in community settings, residential aged care facilities, retirement villages and health care facilities. |
|
Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) |
254413 |
Provides nursing care to children from birth to school age and their families with an emphasis on the prevention, early detection of, and early intervention in, physical, emotional and social problems affecting children and their families such as assistance with parentcraft, immunisation and developmental milestones. |
|
Registered Nurse (Community Health) |
254414 |
Provides nursing care, health counselling, screening and education to individuals, families and groups in the wider community with a focus on patient independence and health promotion. |
|
Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) |
254415 |
Provides nursing care to critically ill patients and patients with unstable health following injury, surgery or during the acute phase of diseases, integrating new technological equipment into care in settings such as high dependency units, intensive care units, emergency departments or retrieval services. |
|
Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability) |
254416 |
Provides nursing care to people with intellectual and development disabilities in a range of health, welfare and community settings. |
|
Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation) |
254417 |
Provides nursing care to patients recovering from injury and illness and assists and facilitates patients with disabilities to live more independently. |
|
Registered Nurse (Medical) |
254418 |
Provides nursing care to patients with conditions, such as infections, metabolic disorders and degenerative conditions, which require medical intervention in a range of health, aged care and community settings. |
|
Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) |
254421 |
Provides clinical care to patients, undertakes clinical organisation and practice administration, and facilitates communication within a general practice environment and between the practice and outside organisations and individuals. |
|
Registered Nurse (Mental Health) |
254422 |
Provides nursing care to patients with mental health illness, disorder and dysfunction, and those experiencing emotional difficulties, distress and crisis in health, welfare and aged care facilities, correctional services and the community. |
|
Registered Nurse (Perioperative) |
254423 |
Provides nursing care to patients before, during and immediately after surgery, assesses patients’ condition, plans nursing care for surgical intervention, maintains a safe and comfortable environment, assists Surgeons and Anaesthetists during surgery, and monitors patients’ recovery from anaesthetic, prior to return to, or discharge from, ward. |
|
Registered Nurse (Surgical) |
254424 |
Provides nursing care to patients with injuries and illness that require surgical intervention. |
|
Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) |
254425 |
Provides nursing care to children of all ages, including neonates, across a range of health and community settings with an emphasis on assessing children’s acute and ongoing needs while taking into account physical, social, cultural and family circumstances. |
|
Registered Nurses Nec |
254499 |
This occupation group covers Registered Nurses not elsewhere classified. |
As you can see from the above table, registered nursing occupations have many nursing visa Australia options available. This includes a subclass 482 visa sponsorship for nurses in Australia, a subclass 189 visa for nurses, a subclass 190 visa for nurses and a nursing sponsorship Australia under the subclass 494 visa.
Skills Assessments For Nursing
The prescribed skills assessing body for the nursing profession is the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council Limited (ANMAC). There are several assessment pathways, as outlined below:
- Modified Skills Assessment – for applicants who hold current registration as a registered nurse in Australia and/or New Zealand;
- Modified PLUS Skills Assessment – for applicants who do not hold a current registration as a nurse in Australia and/or New Zealand but have a ‘Notice of in-principle approval of registration subject to proof of identity’ letter from AHPRA (enrolled nurses do not qualify for this type of skills assessment); and
- Full Skills Assessment – for applicants who have registration as a nurse in the UK, USA, Hong Kong, Canada or Ireland and have a minimum Bachelor of Nursing qualification from that country (enrolled nurses do not qualify for this type of skills assessment).
The assessment criteria is based on proof of identity, English language proficiency, qualifications, employment experience and being fit to practice.
Conclusion
In closing, it is important to note that applying for a skilled visa to Australia, including a nursing visa Australia, can consist of a number of elements, in addition to lodging the visa application itself with the Department. As discussed above, applicants may need to complete an English language test, apply for professional registration and/or apply for a skills assessment. GSM applicants will also need to submit an EOI and, if applying for State Sponsorship, must apply directly to the State or Territory for nomination approval. Each of these aspects are distinct and separate and prospective applicants therefore need to carefully plan their application timeline to ensure all requirements are met at the relevant times. There are also often waiting times involved, which should also be factored into the decision-making process. Also be mindful that each organisation sets its own specific requirements, meaning for example, that achieving the prescribed minimum English language test result as required for the visa application may not be sufficient to gain approval for State Sponsorship. Another instance where variances often arise between the requirements of the various organisations is in relation to work experience. It is therefore very important that prospective applicants are aware of each requirement as it applies to their own application.
As demonstrated in this article, the visa application process is often not a simple one and requires applicants to formulate a carefully considered plan. This requires being fully informed about the various aspects which come into play and ensuring that the right timeline is planned. This includes nominating the correct occupation (in some cases, applicants may need to decide between more than one possible occupation) and formulating the most effective visa pathway based on the personal circumstances of the prospective applicant.
So for a nursing visa Australia, whether that be a nursing sponsorship Australia with a sublass 494 or subclass 482 visa sponsorship for nurses in Australia, with a potential pathway to permanent residence after a certain period for certain occupations. Or for nurse immigration Australia, a subclass 189 visa for nurses or a subclass 190 visa for nurses may be available, which provides automatic permanent residency in Australia upon visa grant.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Australia’s migrations laws are complex, and each case is different. There are also several terms which are defined in the migration provisions (and whose meanings may differ from their ordinary usage). We recommend that you seek professional advice if you are seeking to apply for a nursing visa Australia, including nursing sponsorship Australia, as being fully informed about the process and requirements that apply will give you the best chance of achieving a successful outcome on your application, and thus lessen the chance that it will be refused. A migration professional can help you to do this.
For up to date advice on the Australian visa options for nurse immigration Australia, including potentially a subclass 482 visa sponsorship for nurses in Australia, a subclass 189 visa for nurses, a subclass 190 visa for nurses or enrolled nurse 491 visa, book your confidential consultation with a migration agent in Adelaide. PAX Migration Australia is a leading immigration advice service based in Adelaide.
References/Links
Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO)
Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) – Unit group 4114 Enrolled and mothercraft nurses
Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) – Unit group 1342 Health and welfare services managers
Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) – Unit group 2542 Nurse educators and researchers
Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) – Unit group 2543 Nurse managers
Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) – Unit group 2544 Registered Nurses
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council Limited (ANMAC)