How To Become A Registered International Nurse In Australia With AusPath Agency.

At AusPath we understand that the biggest hurdles for Internationally qualified Nurses to work abroad is the daunting Ahpra registration & migration processes. And feeling comfortable with making the big move. That is where AusPath comes in.

AusPath works with specialist Nurse Registered Training Organisations, Employment Agencies and Australian Health Service Employors to assist International Nurses to successfully pass the NCLEX and OSCE exams, gain full time employment, get Visa’s approved with employment sponsorships, find suitable & affordable accommodation & become Enrolled & Registered Nurses with Ahpra in Australia.

The Process:

All Internationally Qualified Nurses & Midwifes (IQNM’s) that want to work in Australia must do a Self-Check on the Australian Nurses and Midwifery National Board (Ahpra) website. This is called the Outcome Based Assessment (OBA).

When an internationally qualified nurse or midwife (IQNM) completes the Self-Check, they will be advised if they are in Stream A, B, or C, or if Ahpra needs to assess their qualification(s) before assigning a stream.

For the IQNM’s to qualify for AusPath sponsorship they need to do the Ahpra Self-Check now so we can see what the outcome is. There is no fee to do the Self-check, so they need to do this immediately and notify AusPath of the outcome.

International Nurses need to go to the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Board Of Australia website and first do the required Self-check.

Please read through our entire How To Blog Page here first. As we break it all down in one Blog Post. Then come back and start clicking the links to more information provided.

The three streams (outcomes) are:

Stream A – IQNMs who hold a qualification considered to be substantially equivalent, or based on similar competencies, to an approved qualification.

Stream B – IQNMs who hold a qualification that is relevant to the profession, but is not substantially equivalent, nor based on similar competencies to an approved qualification.

Stream C – IQNMs who hold a qualification that is not substantially equivalent or relevant to an approved qualification. This means you will have to come to Australia and do upgraded courses prior.

Nurses from countries such as the UK, Canada, Ireland, USA, Hong Kong, New Zealand are generally going to be Stream A Applicants.

Most qualified Nurses from other countries such as the Philippines & India should be Stream B. If you are advised that your Stream B “qualification is relevant but not substantially equivalent”, then that is good as they can move on to the next steps.

After completing the Self-Check, all IQNM’s who are advised to proceed in the IQNM assessment process will need to pay a non-refundable assessment fee of $640 AUD to AHPRA to proceed to the OBA assessments.

If Ahpra requires a review, this is a notification example you will get. It means you now need to pay the fee and do the Orientation and Portfolio requirements to proceed.

This is a Notification example you will get saying you are now identified as Stream B and can move on to the (MCQ) exam.

The OBA is a two-stage assessment process: an online multiple-choice question exam (MCQ) and an objective structured clinical exam. IQNMs must pass the first stage before moving to the next stage.

Stage one is a cognitive assessment, which is a computer based MCQ exam. IQNMs must pass the exam to move to part two of the OBA.

Stage two is a behavioural assessment in the form of an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). The OSCE has been developed to assess that an IQNM demonstrates the knowledge, skills and competence of a graduate level Australian nurse or midwife. This is done in Adelaide, Australia.

You must complete the Ahpra/NMBA IQNM Self-Check Assessment, followed by the Orientation Part 1, followed by providing a portfolio of documents and proof of qualifications and register with us on the AusPath Members Portal. This is where our registered Health Care Service providers can see your CV and provide job offers.

This is followed by an Outcomes Based Assessment (OBA), which is both a Multiple-Choice Questionnaire (MCQ) exam (also known as NCLEX or NCLEX-RN MCQ) and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Nurses must apply for a Tourist Visa to enter Australia to do the OSCE test. The Visa is valid for 1 year with the ability to stay for up to 3 months.

If that is the case, then the Nurses do the:

Police check.
English literacy test.
Pay the Ahpra assessment fees and do the 2 tests.
After you pass these two, you may need to undergo a skills assessment with ANMAC.

If they pass all the checks & tests, the Health-Check & have Insurance, International Nurses will be eligible to Apply for ANMAC Skills Assessment & for Registration with Ahpra & employment offers and Sponsorships in Australia and apply for a suitable Visa. Generally, that would be the TSS 482 visa. Once the Visa is approved, they can begin working as Nurses.

NCLEX-RN MCQ Pass Example.

Tourist Visa Approval Example.

OSCE Test Successful Example.

Congratulations, at this stage, International Nurses are now able to apply to Ahpra for Australian Nurse Registration.

Here are a some common Visa options. (Subject to change)

Work Visa 482

Employer/Sponsor required for approval.
4 year visa with unrestricted work rights (Can apply one more time or apply for Permanent Residency).
Work rights includes family.
Must be a Registered Nurse in Australia.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-skill-shortage-482

Registered Nurses could apply for Independent Skilled Permanent Visas 189/190

Eligibility based on a points system awarded on following criteria.
Age, IELTS 7.0-8.0, Degree, Experience, State sponsorship.

ANMAC Skills Assessment Requirements:

Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.

Skills Assessment authority for a Registered Nurse is Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria.

ANMAC uses five criteria to assess the skills of applicants. Applicants are required to meet all requirements to obtain a positive skills assessment.
• Proof of Identity.
• Applicants must provide evidence of passport, change of name documents and a passport sized photo
• English Language Proficiency.
• IELTS Academic Test – minimum score of 7 in each component.
• OET – minimum score of B in each component.
• PTE Academic – minimum overall score of 65.
• TOEFL iBT – minimum total score of 94 and minimum scores of 24 in listening and reading, 27 in writing and 23 in speaking.
• Educational Equivalence.
• Applicants are assessed against the current Australian nursing and midwifery educational standards.
• Applicants must provide graduation certificates and basic transcripts from all nursing or midwifery courses that are completed.
• Full Applicants must also provide a transcript that details the number of hours completed in both theoretical and practical components of the relevant nursing course.
• Professional Practice.
• The applicant must have practised as a nurse in the past 5 years.
• Applicants must provide professional references that meet the following criteria:
• Official letterhead.
• Written by a direct supervisor who is a nurse.
• Dated.
• Contain an original signature.
• Includes hospital email address and contact phone number for organisation *note mobile numbers are not accepted.
ANMAC provide a Professional Reference Template for applicants to use.

For international registered nurses seeking registration in Australia with Ahpra (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency), the application process involves submitting the application to both ANMAC (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council) and Ahpra. Here’s an overview of the process:

Skills assessment with ANMAC:

The first step is to undergo a skills assessment with ANMAC. ANMAC assesses the qualifications, skills, and experience of internationally educated nurses to determine their eligibility for registration in Australia. The applicant must submit the required documents, including academic transcripts, English language proficiency results, and relevant work experience details, to ANMAC for assessment. ANMAC will evaluate the applicant’s qualifications and provide an assessment outcome.

Application to Ahpra:

Once the applicant receives a positive skills assessment outcome from ANMAC, they can proceed with the application to Ahpra. The application to Ahpra is made through the online registration portal specific to the nursing profession (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia). The applicant must provide the necessary information, including personal details, professional qualifications, employment history, and other relevant documentation as specified by Ahpra.

English language proficiency:

As part of the Ahpra application, international nurses are required to demonstrate English language proficiency. This can be done by providing the results of an approved English language test such as IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or OET (Occupational English Test).

Assessment by Ahpra:

Ahpra will review the application and supporting documents submitted by the applicant. They will verify the information provided and assess the applicant’s eligibility for registration as a nurse in Australia. Ahpra may request additional documents or information if necessary.

Registration decision:

Once the application is reviewed and assessed by Ahpra, they will make a decision regarding the nurse’s registration. If the application is approved, the nurse will be granted registration with Ahpra, allowing them to practice as a registered nurse in Australia.

It’s important to note that the specific requirements and processes may vary based on individual circumstances, country of origin, and changes in regulatory guidelines. It’s recommended to refer to the official websites of ANMAC and Ahpra for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding the registration process for international nurses in Australia.

The Steps:

Here are the steps and the estimated list of fees & associated expenses to become an International Stream B registered Nurse in Australia. If anyone tries to tell you it costs less than this, then ask them what about all these costs itemised below. There are some training providers that only tell you about the costs of their training and maybe the Visa.

The Full Steps – From Ahpra Self-Check Stream B To Employment:

Ahpra Self-Check.
IQNM Assessment.
Orientation Part 1.
Provide a portfolio of documents and proof of qualifications.
NCLEX Training. (Davao, Manila, Cebu) (Stream B Only)
NCLEX-RN MCQ Exam. (Manila) (Stream B Only)
Police Check.
Literary Test. (Stream B Only)
Health Check.
AusPath Employment & Sponsorship Offer.
OSCE Training Online. (Stream B Only)
Tourist Visa Lodged & Approved.
OSCE Test. (Adelaide) (Stream B Only)
ANMAC Skills Assessment. (Depends on Visa)
Insurance Certificate.
Ahpra Registration Application & Approval.
VISA Lodged & Approved.
POEA OEC Application Approved – Orientation Seminars. (Filipino Stream B Only)
Fly to Australia – Orientation – Accomodation
Start Employment.

And here is another secret: If you’re coming direct from the Philippines to be an OFW. You are required to get the Direct Migrant Workers (DMW) approval and an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC). This is a Philippine law requirement. And under this the Employer is to pay for your visa and flights. So, the upfront cost estimates can be much lower.

That makes Australia the most affordable country in the world now for Philippine Nurses to become International Registered Nurses. And guess what else, Australian Nurses can get paid some of the highest salaries in the world. Plus, free Medicare and the Superannuation Guarantee. And you will have the opportunity for career advancement and even higher salaries.

The Table below shows the breakdown of associated costs for Stream B Applicants. If you are a Stream A Applicant then Ahpra will notify you if you are able to proceed straight to the ANMAC Skills Assessment. That would mean you do not need to do NCLEX-RN MCQ & OSCE training or tests, so your costs are significantly reduced. All Applicants will require a Health-Check & Insurance also.

Self – Check (Free initial assessment & then payment is required upfront by the Nurses to to do the IQNM Assessment and proceed to OBA)	$640
AusPath Onboarding & Support	FREE
NCLEX Training (Stream B)	$500
NCLEX-RN MCQ Test Fee (Stream B)	$526
Police check	$50
Literacy test (Stream B)	$300
OSCE Training (Online and Live Stations Practice) (Stream B)	$3,500
Tourist Visa, Flights & Accommodation (To Adelaide for OSCE and back. Est)	$1,500
OSCE Exam Fee (Adelaide) (Stream B)	$4,000
ANMAC Full Skills Assessment	$515
Visa Temporary Skills Shortage 482 (Non Filipino + Migration Agency fees may also apply)	$2,770
Flights (To Australia) (Non Filipino)	$1500
Total Funding Required AUD (Non Filipino)	$15,801
Total Funding Required AUD (Filipino)	$11,531
Note: Relocation support may also be available in some areas to cover certain costs.

Basic costs estimate. Individual costs may vary.

AusPath Nurses Portal:

Nurses upload their full credentials into the AusPath online Member Portal platform to be selected for a suitable employment contract that is offered from an Australian Health Service provider.

AusPath Nurses Portal: www.crm.auspath.agency

Relocation Support:

If Nurses get employment offers and sponsorships with approved Health Services, those Nurses can get relocation support when working in Australia. Up to $10,000 to $20,000 is on offer. This is generally only for actual relocation cost refunds and is not a lump sum payment.

Superannuation Guarantee:

And as an added benefit, international Nurses working in Australia are entitled to receive Superannuation. The minimum superannuation employers must pay for each eligible employee is 11% of their ordinary time earnings (OTE). This is called the super guarantee (SG) and is paid at least quarterly into the nominated superfund. Normally Australian workers are not entitled to receive this superannuation until retirement, and not as a lump sum.

However, when an international worker returns home, there is the possibility to receive this payment as a lump sum. That means that on an average income of $100,000 p/a over 4 years, if they return home and do not extend their work visa, they are be entitled to receive their Superannuation as a lump sum, which would be around $44,000 Aud +/- whatever growth the fund received based on this estimate. Or if the Nurses decide to gain Permanent Residency, then they will continue receiving Superannuation from their employment paid into their nominated Superfund to access upon retirement.

Select Nurse Registration. (Enter your details, status & upload supporting docs & CV)
Your Members Portal will then be created for you to log in and update your status and upload further documentation.

Aphra International Nurses Information Links:

You will find the Link to the Ahpra Self-Check in the below link.

https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/International-practitioners.aspx

Click Complete the online self-check link.