Meet English, recency, criminal-history and document standards — Philippines to Australia

Step 1

NMBA registration and Australian immigration are separate decisions. Success in one does not guarantee the other, and NMBA advises against irreversible moves or employment decisions before registration is approved.

Step 2

Enter your own qualification and registration history in Self-check. Its result can identify streamlined Pathway 1 or Pathway 2, or assign Stream A, Stream B or Stream C. The tool reads your whole history, so a Philippines qualification does not land you in Stream B by default. Self-check settles routing only; the registration decision comes later.

Step 3

Pathway 1 requires a relevant qualification from an approved comparable jurisdiction that led to general RN registration in that same jurisdiction, at least 1,800 hours of RN practice in an approved comparable jurisdiction since 2017-01-01, and the core registration standards.

Step 4

Pathway 2 requires a relevant qualification obtained outside an approved comparable jurisdiction on or after 2017-01-01, passage of an IQRN regulatory examination in an approved comparable jurisdiction that led to general RN registration there, holding that registration, and at least 1,800 hours of RN practice in an approved comparable jurisdiction after that registration. An NCLEX-RN pass alone is not enough.

Step 5

If Self-check assigns Stream A, pay the applicable assessment fee, complete Orientation Part 1 and proceed through the Ahpra stages shown in the portal. Stream A indicates a qualification considered substantially equivalent or based on similar competencies.

Step 6

For Stream B, complete Orientation Part 1 and the portfolio. You only need registration evidence if your qualification assessment asks for it. Pass the NCLEX-RN MCQ before the OSCE unless Ahpra accepts a qualifying earlier result. An earlier NCLEX pass does not by itself establish Pathway 2.

Step 7

If Self-check assigns Stream C, follow the official post-Self-check process and wait for Ahpra's individual direction before deciding whether or how to upgrade a qualification.

Step 9

After the required assessment stages, apply online with the identity, qualification, English, employer and registration-status evidence Ahpra requires. Ahpra assesses for NMBA; outcomes can include registration, conditions or refusal. Complete Orientation Part 2 after registration within the official period.

Step 10

Hold a visa that permits the work you intend to do. Employer-sponsored and points-tested subclasses each carry their own occupation, sponsor or nomination, skills-assessment, points, health, character and registration conditions. There is no universal nurse visa, so nobody can quote you a fee or processing time from your origin country alone.