AHPRA Registration vs. Skilled Migration: What You Actually Need to Move to Australia
Many internationally qualified nurses assume that once they achieve AHPRA registration, they are automatically eligible for an Australian visa—but that’s not how the process works.
While AHPRA is the first crucial step, it is only part of the journey. Migration and visa approvals are completely separate processes with different eligibility criteria.
In this blog, we’ll break down:
✅ Why AHPRA registration alone is not enough to get a visa
✅ The visa pathways available for nurses (Skilled Independent, Employer-Sponsored, and Working Holiday)
✅ The essential requirements you must meet to migrate successfully
AHPRA Registration: What It Does (and Doesn’t) Do for Your Migration Plans
What is AHPRA?
AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) is responsible for registering all healthcare professionals in Australia, including nurses and midwives. If you want to legally work as a nurse in Australia, you must be registered with AHPRA.
But here’s what many nurses don’t realise: AHPRA's role is NOT to grant visas.
✅ What AHPRA Registration Does:
✔ Confirms that you meet the professional standards to work as a nurse in Australia
✔ Allows you to apply for nursing jobs in Australia
✔ Helps you meet one of the eligibility requirements for certain visas.
❌ What AHPRA Registration Does NOT Do:
✖ It does NOT give you a visa or migration rights
✖ It does NOT guarantee a job or employer sponsorship
✖ It does NOT mean you are automatically eligible for a skilled visa
Many nurses assume that once they obtain AHPRA registration, they can immediately get a visa—or that employers will line up to sponsor them.
That's not the reality. You must still meet the specific requirements for Australian visas, including skills assessments, English tests, and nomination criteria.
What You Actually Need to Migrate to Australia as a Nurse
Your visa options will depend on whether you want to:
✔ Migrate independently and have full control over your career (General Skilled Migration)
✔ Secure an employer-sponsored job and have your visa linked to an employer (Subclass 482 or 186)
✔ Work temporarily on a Working Holiday visa (only available for certain passport holders aged 18-30 or 18-35, depending on nationality)
Let’s break down the key requirements for each pathway.
Option 1: Skilled Independent & State-Nominated Visas (PR & Regional Pathways)
If you want to migrate independently to Australia and not be tied to an employer, you must meet the requirements for the General Skilled Migration program.
🔹 Key Requirements for Skilled Migration
1️⃣ ANMAC Skills Assessment (Mandatory for Skilled Visas)
Even if you already have AHPRA registration, you must also obtain a skills assessment Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) for skilled and sponsored visas.
🔹 Why is an ANMAC Skills Assessment Required?
The Australian Government uses skills assessments to verify your qualifications and work experience for migration purposes.
🔹 Two Types of ANMAC Assessments:
✔ Full Skills Assessment—Required if you trained in a target country (UK, US, Canada, Ireland, and Hong Kong and have a Bachelors' degree in nursing.
✔ Modified Skills Assessment—Available only if you already hold AHPRA or NZNC registration.
❌ Thinking that AHPRA registration replaces ANMAC skills assessment (it doesn't!)
❌ Using the wrong occupation code, affecting visa eligibility
❌ Not providing verified work experience, which reduces migration points
✅ Solution: The Nurse Registration course at www.nurseregistration.com helps nurses understand the correct pathway for their qualifications.
2️⃣ English Test (For Migration, Not Just AHPRA!)
Many nurses believe they don't need an English test if AHPRA grants them an English exemption—but that’s not true for migration.
🚨 Important:
AHPRA's English Exemptions do not apply to visa requirements.
✅ English Test Requirements for Skilled Migration:
✔ IELTS Academic—Minimum 7.0 in all bands
✔ OET (Nurses)—Minimum B in all bands
✔ PTE Academic—Minimum 65 in all bands
🔹 Higher scores = more migration points.
If you achieve 8.0 in IELTS or A in OET , you will receive Superior English points, increasing your chances of selection.
💡 Need help preparing for an English? Use SOLVi's English test partner: E2Language
Which Skilled Visas Are Available for Nurses?
✅ Subclass 189—Permanent Residency (No sponsorship required, but highly competitive)
✅ Subclass 190—PR via State Government nomination (each state has different rules)
✅ Subclass 491—Regional Work Visa (Leads to PR after 3 years and is easier to qualify for!)
Option 2: Employer-Sponsored Visa (Subclass 482 or 186)
If you want an employer to sponsor your visa, you can apply for a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage Visa) or Subclass 186 (Employer Nominated PR).
✅ Key Requirements for Employer Sponsorship:
✔ AHPRA Registration (Mandatory)
✔ An Australian Employer to Sponsor You
✔ Competent English Test Score (unless you hold an exempt passport from the UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, or New Zealand)
🚨 Subclass 186 (Permanent Residency) has an additional requirement:
✔ Minimum 3 years of post-qualification clinical nursing experience
💡 Reality Check: Employers are selective. Having AHPRA registration does NOT guarantee sponsorship.
Option 3: Working Holiday Visa (Limited Eligibility!)
If you're between 18-30 years old (or 18-35 for passport holders from some countries), you may be eligible for a Working Holiday visa (Subclass 417 or 462).
🚨 Working Holiday Visa Requirements for Nurses:
✔ You MUST have AHPRA registration to work as a nurse
✔ Only available to certain passport holders
✔ You cannot bring dependants (spouse or children)
✔ Limited work rights (max 6 months per employer)
💡 Best for: Nurses wanting short-term work experience in Australia before transitioning to another visa.
What’s Next? Plan Your Visa Pathway with Expert Support!
📍 Book a Consultation with us: www.solvi.com.au/book-a-consult
📍 Start your registration with our course and community: www.nurseregistration.com
🌏 Australia needs nurses—are you ready?
