Australia is a great place to live and work. Our passion is to help Registered Nurses living overseas to work and experience the great Aussie lifestyle. However, navigating the complexities of migrating to Australia can be daunting.
SOLVi Migration has been assisting nurses to gain registration and successfully migrate independently. Our dedicated team of legal experts specialises in guiding overseas registered nurses through the intricate visa and registration processes, ensuring a smooth transition to working in Australia.
We are committed to providing personalised support every step of the way, from initial eligibility assessments and visa applications to professional registration and employment advice. Trust us to help you achieve your dream of a rewarding nursing career in Australia.
Not quite.
While both professionals assist with migration processes, their qualifications, scope of advice, legal authority, and professional protections are vastly different.
And those differences can significantly impact your migration outcome—especially if your situation involves more than just ticking boxes.
At SOLVi Migration, we are often contacted by people who’ve already received advice from agents, recruiters, or friends. They’re confused, sometimes misinformed, and unaware that they’ve taken unnecessary risks. That’s why it’s essential to understand the difference—so you can choose the right professional for your needs from the very start.
You complete at least 3-4 of legal studies (Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor)
You undergo practical legal training which entails completing a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, minimum of 75 days of internship and are admitted to practice in a state or territory Supreme Court
You work under supervision for two years before becoming eligible for an unrestricted practising certificate
If you want to practise independently or operate your own law firm, you must:
To become a Registered Migration Agent (RMA)
You complete a 1-year Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice
You register with the office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA)
Once registered, you are allowed to practise independently immediately— no supervised experience required.
This is where the distinction really matters.
Registered migration agents can only provide advice on migration matters.
They are not legally allowed to advise on Australian law—only lawyers can.
A lawyer can provide qualified legal advice across all areas that may impact your migration, including:
✅ Employment contracts and workplace rights
✅ Registration processes for nurses and healthcare workers
✅ Family law and partner eligibility
✅ Criminal or character matters
✅ Housing and tenancy laws
✅ Social security and entitlements
✅ Interpretation of legal notices and immigration policy
When you’re migrating to a country like Australia with complex laws and regulations, having someone who can advise on the full legal picture is critical. At SOLVi, we do more than “file forms.” We build legal strategies designed to protect your migration outcome long-term.
Another important distinction: only lawyers offer attorney-client privilege.
That means anything you discuss with your lawyer—documents, disclosures, emails, legal advice—is legally protected. It cannot be shared with any third party or government agency without your permission, even if subpoenaed.
Migration agents, while required to maintain confidentiality under their Code of Conduct, do not have legal privilege. If required by law to disclose your information, they must do so—they cannot claim legal confidentiality.
When your case involves sensitive information, health disclosures, family matters, or anything that might impact your future eligibility, that protection matters.
Lawyers are governed by state and territory Law Societies—for example, SOLVi Migration is regulated by the Queensland Law Society. All practising lawyers must:
Hold a valid practising certificate (restricted or unrestricted)
Comply with stringent ethical and professional conduct rules
Maintain appropriate insurance
Be subject to legal disciplinary action if they breach professional duties
Registered migration agents are regulated by OMARA, which oversees the registration and conduct of RMAs in Australia. Their scope is focused specifically on migration-only matters.
Important note: person holding an unrestricted practising certificate as a lawyer cannot also register as a migration agent—this is prohibited to maintain the legal profession's integrity.
Most of our clients are internationally qualified registered nurses and midwives. For them, the migration journey is not just about applying for a visa. It often involves:
Planning for partner inclusion, dependants, and English requirements
Understanding the differences between independent migration and employer sponsorship
Complying with workplace laws and healthcare standards
Developing a strategy that keeps your whole family together and secure
This is where having a lawyer-led team makes a huge difference. We can advise across all areas of law that may impact your success—not just the visa paperwork.
Absolutely not.
Many RMAs provide excellent service and play a valuable role in supporting visa applicants, especially for straightforward cases.
However, the difference in the depth and scope of legal expertise. Lawyers are qualified to advise on multiple laws, provide strategic planning, and offer protections that agents simply aren’t authorised to deliver.
This distinction matters most when the stakes are high: when you want to include your family, secure permanent residency, avoid refusal, and truly understand every stage of the process.
If you:
✔️ Want to migrate to Australia as a nurse or midwife
✔️ Don’t want to make costly mistakes
✔️ Are confused by changing registration and visa rules
✔️ Want to protect your family and your future
Then you deserve expert legal advice—not just form-filling.
At SOLVi Migration, we are Australia’s only healthcare-specialist immigration law firm, with legal professionals who’ve worked at the highest levels of government, including the Department of Health and the Department of Home Affairs.
We don’t give advice based on guesswork or internet rumours. We give you legally sound, strategic advice backed by 20+ years of Australian government policy expertise.
Migration is more than a form—it’s a legal process. And when your future is at stake, you need the highest standard of advice.
✅ Book a paid legal consultation with SOLVi today
We’ll assess your situation and give you a clear legal strategy to migrate independently to Australia.
✅ Need help with AHPRA registration? Join our Nurse Registration Course.
Get cost-effective, expert guidance and access to a supportive community so you can secure your AHPRA registration and move forward with your migration plans.
Generally, you will need a nursing qualification that is recognised in Australia, such as a bachelor’s degree in nursing or an equivalent qualification. You will also need to meet registration requirements with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
To practice as a nurse in Australia, you must be registered with AHPRA. The process involves submitting an application, providing proof of your qualifications and professional experience, and meeting English language requirements. Our team can assist you with this process - Read More.
Yes, most visa applications for nurses require a skills assessment conducted by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC). This assessment ensures your qualifications and experience meet Australian standards. We can assist you with preparing and submitting your skills assessment application. Read more ...
Depending on the pathway you gain registration and what visa pathway you take, the English requirements can vary from Competent to Proficient levels of English. Read More ...
If you or a family member has a health condition, it is important to have the possible impact on your migration assessed by a professional before you submit any visa application. The Department of Home Affairs will require health assessments to ensure the condition does not pose a significant cost or burden to the Australian healthcare system. We can help you understand the implications and prepare the necessary documentation. Read more ...
Character issues, such as past criminal records, must be disclosed in your visa application. The Department of Home Affairs assesses character issues on a case-by-case basis. We can provide advice on how to address these issues and the potential impact on your application.
Visa fees are generally non-refundable, even if your application is refused or withdrawn. It is crucial to ensure your application is complete and meets all requirements to avoid losing your fee. Our team can help you prepare a strong application to minimise the risk of refusal.
If you have been refused a visa in the past, it is essential to understand the reasons for the refusal and address them in any new application. We can review your previous refusal and advise on the best course of action to improve your chances of success.
Yes, many visa types allow you to include eligible family members, such as your spouse or partner and dependent children, in your application. We can advise on the requirements and process for including your family in your migration plans.
While some employers may offer sponsorship, which can cover visa and relocation costs, it is important to understand the conditions tied to employer-sponsored visas. Also worth noting, a sponsor is not legally required to pay your application fees. These conditions can include staying with the employer for a certain period. We can help you explore your options and find the best pathway for your situation. Read more ...
The processing time for visa applications can vary depending on the type of visa and individual circumstances. Generally, it can take from a few months to over a year. Our team will provide an estimated timeline based on your specific situation and keep you updated throughout the process.
Costs can include visa application fees, skills assessment fees, and potentially relocation expenses. The exact costs will depend on the visa pathway you choose and any additional services you require. We will provide you with a transparent breakdown of costs during your consultation. Read more...
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All RIGHTS RESERVED LIABILITY LIMITED BY A SCHEME APPROVED UNDER PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS LEGISLATION. LEGAL PRACTITIONERS EMPLOYED BY SOLVI PTY LTD (ABN 16 658 861 182) ARE MEMBERS OF THE SCHEME.
The information published on this webpage should not be taken as legal advice rather it should be considered for information purposes only.
COPYRIGHT © 2024 SOLVI PTY LTD
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All RIGHTS RESERVED LIABILITY LIMITED BY A SCHEME APPROVED UNDER PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS LEGISLATION. LEGAL PRACTITIONERS EMPLOYED BY SOLVI PTY LTD (ABN 16 658 861 182) ARE MEMBERS OF THE SCHEME.
The information published on this webpage should not be taken as legal advice rather it should be considered for information purposes only.
COPYRIGHT © 2024 SOLVI PTY LTD