Step 3 of 8 · GB → AU
Check whether Pathway 1 applies to you — United Kingdom to Australia
Pathway 1 is a streamlined route for nurses whose qualification and practice sit within approved comparable regulatory jurisdictions. The United Kingdom is an approved comparable jurisdiction under the NMBA registration standard in effect, but that alone does not place any individual nurse on Pathway 1.
- Jurisdiction scope
- Australia (national). Pathway conditions reference approved comparable jurisdictions, which include the United Kingdom under the standard in effect.
- Last verified
- Relevant official-body pillar
- Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia / Ahpra
Purpose
Why this decision point exists
Understand the Pathway 1 conditions so you can read your Self-check outcome in context and gather the right evidence if it applies.
Who needs it
Check whether it applies
Nurses whose Self-check outcome indicates Pathway 1, or who are checking their evidence against its conditions before completing the Self-check.
Requirements
What to check at this step
- Hold a relevant nursing qualification completed in an approved comparable jurisdiction, where that qualification led to your general registration as a registered nurse in the same jurisdiction. — Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and Ahpra (external site)
- Have completed at least 1,800 hours of practice as a registered nurse (RN) in one or more approved comparable jurisdictions on or after 2017-01-01 (1 January 2017). — Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and Ahpra (external site)
- Meet the NMBA's core registration standards, including English language skills, recency of practice, criminal history and related requirements, with evidence the regulator accepts. — Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (external site)
Common mistakes
Where applicants trip up
- Assuming every NMC-registered nurse automatically qualifies for Pathway 1
- Counting practice hours worked before 1 January 2017 or in jurisdictions that are not approved comparable jurisdictions
- Relying on a qualification gained in one country and registration gained in another without checking how the standard treats that combination
One fact at a time
Official facts
Each value appears with its effective date and cited source. We never assume an optional fact applies to you, and we never convert currencies.
No confirmed numeric fact is shown for this page. Check the linked official pages for current fees, timing, and requirements; a missing value is not zero.
The order of decisions
Where this step sits in the reviewed pathway
Work through the decision points in this order, and expect the responsible body to change, add, or remove requirements for your circumstances.
Step 1
Understand that registration and immigration are separate processesAustralian nursing registration and Australian work permission are two independent processes run by two different authorities. NMC registration does not convert into either.
Step 2
Complete the mandatory Ahpra Self-checkThe online Self-check is the compulsory entry point for internationally qualified nurses. Its outcome, not your own reading of the criteria, determines whether you follow Pathway 1, Pathway 2 or an assessment stream.
Step 3
Check whether Pathway 1 applies to youPathway 1 is a streamlined route for nurses whose qualification and practice sit within approved comparable regulatory jurisdictions. The United Kingdom is an approved comparable jurisdiction under the NMBA registration standard in effect, but that alone does not place any individual nurse on Pathway 1.
Step 4
Check whether Pathway 2 applies to youPathway 2 is a separate streamlined route for nurses who qualified outside an approved comparable jurisdiction but then gained general registration in one through a qualifying regulatory examination, followed by sufficient practice.
Step 5
Follow your assigned assessment stream if no streamlined pathway appliesIf the Self-check finds that neither Pathway 1 nor Pathway 2 applies, it may assign Stream A, B or C. Each stream carries its own assessments, which the portal specifies for your case.
Step 6
Meet the core registration standardsWhichever route the Self-check assigns, the NMBA's registration standards still apply. These can include English language skills, recency of practice, criminal history, professional indemnity, identity and documentary requirements.
Step 7
Apply for registration and complete orientationOnce your pathway or stream steps are complete, you apply to the NMBA for registration, respond to requests through the published application stages, and complete orientation as directed.
Step 8
Arrange work permission separately with Home AffairsRegistration with the NMBA does not carry any right to enter or work in Australia. Visa and work-rights questions are decided by the Department of Home Affairs through its own processes.
Evidence record
Official source ledger
Each entry records who published the source, what it covers, and when it was last checked.
- Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and Ahpra
Registration standard: General registration for internationally qualified registered nurses
- Scope
- Australia-wide professional registration; standard effective 2025-04-23
- Last verified
- Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
Qualification and registration requirements
- Scope
- Australia-wide professional registration
- Last verified