If you’re an internationally qualified nurse trying to register with AHPRA in 2025, you may have already run into some confusion — especially if you’ve recently used the AHPRA self-check portal and didn’t get the result you expected.

Here’s the truth: you’re not alone.

In fact, many nurses are getting caught out — not because they’re doing anything wrong — but because AHPRA’s systems haven’t caught up with the most recent policy changes.

Let’s break it down.

🔄 What Didn’t Change — and What Did

On 17 March 2025, AHPRA rolled out a new registration portal system — but this was a general IT update for all health professions, including physiotherapists, doctors, psychologists, dentists, and more.

It had nothing to do with nursing registration specifically and did not introduce any new eligibility criteria for internationally qualified nurses.

But many nurses mistakenly assumed this update meant the self-check system had been updated too — or that new nurse pathways had been introduced through this change.

🛑 That’s not the case.

🆕 What Actually Changed for Nurses

The real changes for nurses came a month later, on 23 April 2025, when the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) introduced two new registration pathways for internationally qualified nurses.

These are known as:

✅ Pathway 1

You’re eligible if you:

• Completed your nursing qualification in a comparable country (UK, Ireland, US, Singapore, Spain, or Canada – Ontario and British Columbia only)
  

• Gained registration in that country
  

• Have at least 1,800 hours of post-registration clinical experience since 1 January 2017
  

✅ Pathway 2

You may also be eligible if you:

• Completed your nursing qualification outside a comparable country
  

• Gained registration in a comparable country (as listed above)
  

• Completed an accepted licensing exam (such as the OSCE or NCLEX)
  

• Have at least 1,800 hours of clinical practice in the comparable country since registration

⚠️ Why This Is Causing So Much Confusion

Despite these new pathways coming into effect on 23 April 2025, AHPRA has not yet updated the online self-check system to reflect them.

This means:

• Nurses who should qualify under Pathway 1 or 2 may be incorrectly told they must take the OSCE or NCLEX.
  

• Some are told they don’t meet eligibility requirements — when they actually do.
  

• Others go ahead and book unnecessary exams or bridging programs because they don’t know these new pathways exist.

In short:

🧨 The portal logic is outdated — but the policy has changed.

💡 So What Should You Do?

If you’ve been left scratching your head after using the AHPRA self-check or unsure which registration path you should be on — you’re not alone, and it’s not your fault.

The best way to move forward is to get accurate, up-to-date guidance from professionals who understand both the policy and the process.

That’s where our Nurse Registration Course comes in.

🎓 Why Join the Nurse Registration Course?

Our AHPRA Registration Course is built for internationally qualified nurses who want clarity, confidence, and a proven strategy to get their documents right.

You’ll get:

✅ A clear breakdown of all six registration pathways

✅ Video tutorials on how to complete your application properly

✅ Bonus training on English tests, documentation and clinical hours

✅ Access to our nurse-only community for peer support

✅ Help navigating the self-check process — even while AHPRA’s system is still outdated

💰 Now only $199 AUD for a limited time

📍 Enrol now at nurseregistration.com

💼 Want Legal Help With Migration Too?

If you’re also planning to migrate to Australia — and want expert legal assistance with your visa, ANMAC assessment, state nomination, or family inclusion — book a consultation with SOLVi Migration, an Australian immigration law firm specialising in independent migration for nurses.

Ready to Do This Properly?

At SOLVi Migration, we’re not just here to help you tick boxes — we’re an Australian immigration law firm that specialises in helping internationally qualified nurses build the right pathway to live and work in Australia long-term.

✅ We help you plan your AHPRA registration and your visa pathway side-by-side

✅ We give legal advice so you avoid costly mistakes

✅ We assess your full situation — including family, work history, and goals.