The Truth About AHPRA’s New Pathway: Not the Fast Track Nurses Expected
The Truth About AHPRA’s New Pathway: Not the Fast Track Nurses Expected
In early 2025, thousands of internationally qualified nurses were told there was a new “fast track” pathway to registration with AHPRA. The reality? Many have instead found themselves facing longer delays, unexpected exam requirements, and confusion about eligibility.
In this blog, we break down what the new pathway really is, why it isn’t working as promised, and the practical steps you should take to move forward with your nursing career in Australia.
1. What Was Promised vs What’s Happening Now
When the new pathway was announced in January 2025, it was expected to provide a smoother route for nurses from comparable countries — particularly those with recent qualifications and strong clinical experience.
But the rollout hasn’t gone as planned. Instead of a fast track, many applicants who expected to qualify under Pathway 2 have been redirected into Stream B with the Outcomes-Based Assessment (OBA) process. That means sitting the NCLEX exam and traveling to Australia for the OSCE — steps that can add months (or longer) to the timeline.
2. Delays Are Longer Than Expected
Processing times have also stretched out. Applicants are now waiting an average of 12 weeks just to be allocated to a case officer. For many nurses, this means stalled applications and uncertainty about when they can progress.
This isn’t a matter of individual mistakes — it’s a systemic backlog as AHPRA works to process a huge increase of applications.
3. The Kruk Review and the Qualification Requirement
The pathway changes were based on recommendations from the Kruk review. The review proposed criteria such as:
Having obtained registration in a comparable country since 1 January 2017
Holding at least 1,800 hours of clinical practice in that country
Meeting English language requirements
Passing an exam equivalency (such as NCLEX or OSCE) to obtain that registration
While the review aimed to streamline the process, the implementation has introduced extra hurdles. The result? Many nurses are confused about whether they qualify — and what their next step should be.
4. What Nurses Should Do Now
If you’re applying for AHPRA registration in 2025, here are your realistic options:
You may be requested to prepare for exams (NCLEX and OSCE): If you’re redirected into the OBA pathway.
Be patient if you can: Some nurses are choosing to wait for further clarification, given that a 12-month review of the new system is due in April 2026.
Seek expert guidance: The new pathways are not straightforward. Knowing exactly which pathway you fall under — and preparing your documentation correctly — will save you significant time, stress, and money.
Ready to Figure Out Your AHPRA Pathway?
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DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational purposes only and nothing in this content or its description constitutes legal advice. For advice on your personal circumstances, please make an appointment at SOLVi Migration www.solvi.com.au Copyright SOLVI PTY LTD 2025.
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