If you’ve just secured or are working toward your AHPRA registration as a nurse, congratulations — that’s a huge step. 🩺 But here’s a reality check that could save you from making a costly mistake:

👉 AHPRA registration alone doesn’t make you eligible for a visa to live and work in Australia.

Yes, you can be a fully registered nurse with AHPRA and still have no legal right to work in Australia if you don’t have the correct visa in place. Unfortunately, we’ve seen far too many internationally qualified nurses lose valuable time and money assuming that registration equals automatic work rights. It doesn’t.

Let’s break it down so you don’t fall into the same trap.

What Does AHPRA Registration Actually Do?

Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) (via AHPRA) confirms that you meet Australian nursing standards — but it doesn't grant you a visa. It simply means you’re legally allowed to practice nursing in Australia if you hold a valid visa with work rights.

It’s a bit like getting your driver’s licence — you’re approved to drive, but that doesn’t mean you automatically get a car.

So, What Else Do You Need?

If you want to work as a nurse in Australia, you must also have a visa that allows it. Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for:

✳️ A Skilled Independent or State-Nominated Visa (Subclass 189, 190, 491)

✳️ An Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 482, 494, 186)

✳️ A Working Holiday visa (eligibility and age limits vary by country, typically up to 30 or 35)

✳️ A Student or Graduate Visa with work rights

✳️ A Partner or Family Visa

Each visa type has its own requirements — and they don’t care whether you’re registered yet or not.

What Visa Requirements Might Apply to You?

✅ You may need a skills assessment from ANMAC

✅ You’ll definitely need to meet health and character requirements

✅ Some visas have strict age limited (especially independent or temporary graduate visas)

✅ Some require English test results

And that’s not all. Some visas require nomination by an Australian state or territory. Others need an employer to sponsor you. Some visas are permanent, while others are temporary with restrictions.

This is where nurses often get stuck — because migration is not one-size-fits-all. It’s complex, constantly changing, and full of conditions that you need to understand to make the right decision.

Why This Matters Now

We regularly speak to nurses who’ve paid for their registration, waited months to hear back, and only then started thinking about their visa — only to find:

• Their English test isn’t valid for migration

• Their work experience is not counted the way they thought

• They’ve aged out of key visa options

• Their spouse or partner doesn’t meet the eligibility requirements

Don’t let this be you.

If you’re serious about moving to Australia as a nurse, you need a visa strategy that works hand-in-hand with your AHPRA registration.

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.

✨ Two Ways to Take Action Now:

🔹 Want step-by-step legal help with your visa? Book a 1:1 consultation with our expert team to assess your eligibility, create a clear migration strategy, and avoid common legal pitfalls.

You’ve worked hard to become a nurse. Don’t let visa confusion hold you back.

🔹 Need help with your AHPRA registration? Enrol in our Nurse Registration Course — it’s the #1 resource trusted by internationally qualified nurses to figure out the correct registration pathway and prepare your documentation correctly and get registered faster.