Migration to Australia for nurses

Are you a nurse, or studying to become one?

You’ll be pleased to know that nursing is one of the strongest pathways if you’re looking to live and work in Australia.

Many nursing roles continue to appear in skilled migration pathways. At the same time, Healthcare and Social Assistance is still one of the most in-demand industries. 

Book IELTS test for nursing

If you want a profession that can support both career growth and long-term residency goals, nursing is a strong pathway.

Here’s why:

• 10,860 sponsored skilled visas were granted to the Health Care and Social Assistance industry. (Temporary Resident (Skilled) Report 2025).

• Health Care & Social Assistance is projected to add +585,100 jobs by 2034 (Jobs and Skills Australia).

• 20 nursing roles appear in the Skilled Occupation List.

• Healthcare roles receive priority visa processing.

So, how do you migrate to Australia as a nurse? Here’s a step-by-step guide.

If you want to work as a nurse in Australia, you usually need the right qualification, professional registration, and proof of English language proficiency, such as taking an IELTS test. 

The exact steps can vary based on whether you’re applying as a Registered Nurse, Enrolled Nurse, or through an overseas qualification pathway.

For many applicants, the main requirements include:

• A recognised nursing qualification relevant to your role.

• Ahpra registration or eligibility to register.

• Satisfying the minimum English requirements (taking an English language test, such as IELTS).

• Proof of identity and study history.

• Recent clinical experience for some roles.

• Police clearances, vaccinations, or employer checks, depending on the employer.

If you choose IELTS Academic to meet English requirements for nursing registration, these are the scores you’ll have to achieve:

If you don't meet the required score in just one section of your IELTS test, you can take the IELTS One Skill Retake. 

This allows you to retake only the skill you missed (either Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking), which can save you time, reduce stress, and lower the cost of preparing for a full test again. 

IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted by Ahpra under published guidance and accepted by the Department of Home Affairs for all Australian visa subclasses.

Learn more about IELTS One Skill Retake

If you want to work as a nurse in Australia, Ahpra registration is one of the most important steps. You need registration approval before you can legally practise as a Registered Nurse or Enrolled Nurse.

What is Ahpra registration?

Ahpra stands for the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. It works with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) to regulate nurses and make sure practitioners meet Australian standards.

Many international students begin their Ahpra registration process after finishing an approved Australian nursing course.

In simple terms, getting an Ahpra registration is your licence to work as a nurse in Australia. Without it, you can’t work as a Registered Nurse or Enrolled Nurse.

From 23 April 2026, Ahpra has changed the minimum scores for some accepted English tests used for nursing registration. 

Why did Ahpra update the minimum scores for accepted English tests?

These changes were made to keep score levels matched across approved tests, not to make the English requirement easier or harder.

The update also brings nursing registration scores closer to the Department of Home Affairs English test settings used for migration. This can make planning easier for applicants managing both registration and visa steps.

The required IELTS Academic score stays the same. 

The required IELTS score for nursing registration remains the same, while other test scores have changed. For example, the overall PTE requirement for Ahpra is now lower, but the Speaking score has increased significantly. This adjustment places greater emphasis on a better Speaking performance. 

If you find these skills challenging, the stable IELTS score requirements may be an advantage. You can keep preparing for the same target scores instead of adjusting your study plan to meet higher marks in difficult sub-skills.

Take IELTS Academic for your Nursing requirement

Yes, nursing can be a PR pathway for skilled migrants and international students. This is because many nursing roles appear on skilled occupation pathways, which can support permanent residency visas.

Is Nursing on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)?

Yes, there are 20 nursing roles in the Skilled Occupation List 2026, including the following: 

Nursing can open several pathways to long-term residency in Australia. Depending on your situation, you may qualify through skilled migration, employer sponsorship, or a temporary visa that leads to future permanent residency options.

Common options include:

• Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) 

• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)  

• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)  

• Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) 

• Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) 

These migration pathways are often competitive. That's why having strong English scores can be a huge advantage if you're trying to boost your PR points and employability.

Need help choosing the best nursing pathway?

If you want to stay in Australia through nursing, personalised guidance can make a big difference. Speak with an IDP counsellor today to understand your options and plan your next step with confidence.

If you’re choosing an English test for nursing registration, think beyond Ahpra alone. Many nurses later use the same test for their visa applications.

The required IELTS scores for Ahpra stayed the same in the 2026 update. IELTS target scores for Proficient and Superior English for skilled migration points have also stayed the same.

This can mean that IELTS is the more stable choice if you’re using a test for work and for migrating to Australia.

Book IELTS for nurses