Fact sheet: Bridging programs for internationally qualified nurses and midwives

A bridging program is a program of study approved by the NMBA that enables internationally qualified nurses and midwives who do not qualify for registration under section 53(b) of the National Law to meet the requirements under section 53(c) by completing further study and assessment against the NMBA’s standards for practice. To be eligible, international applicants must be referred to a bridging program by the NMBA.

Applicants who do not wish to undertake a bridging program can either participate in the NMBA’s OBA, or upgrade their current nursing or midwifery qualification either in Australia or overseas. If you upgrade your qualification outside Australia, you must make sure that the country you are upgrading in meets the accreditation requirements of criterion 2.

See also:

• Meeting the registration requirements

All NMBA-approved bridging programs for registered nurses are listed under Approved programs of study. Entry to a bridging program of study for registration first requires a letter of referral from the NMBA.

Bridging programs are offered by independent education providers. The pricing and availability of the programs are determined by the education provider, not the NMBA.

All NMBA-approved bridging programs for midwives are listed under Approved programs of study. Entry to a bridging program of study for registration first requires a letter of referral from the NMBA.

Although there are a number of approved bridging programs for midwives, none of these are currently being offered by education providers.

Until NMBA-approved bridging programs for midwives are offered by education providers, midwives can upgrade their qualifications by:

• enrolling in a NMBA-approved program of study leading to registration as a midwife in Australia, and 
• seeking credit for previous study. The decision to recognise previous study is made by the education provider. The NMBA does not influence this decision.

All NMBA-approved bridging programs for enrolled nurses are listed under Approved programs of study. Entry to a bridging program of study for registration first requires a letter of referral from the NMBA.

Bridging programs are offered by independent education providers. The pricing and availability of the programs are determined by the education provider, not the NMBA.

Education providers who run bridging programs determine the cost of each program. The NMBA approves programs and providers but does not determine the cost of the programs.

Education providers who run bridging programs determine the location of each program. The NMBA approves programs and providers but does not determine the availability of the programs.

Once the NMBA refers you to a bridging program, we will close your application. After you successfully complete a NMBA-approved bridging program, you are then eligible to make a new application for registration. This means a new application form with relevant fees and documentation.

You will only need to resubmit any documentation that has expired. As we will still have record of your previous documentation, you can refer to it without needing to resubmit it.

The NMBA will assess any future application you make based on the legislative requirements and registration standards in place at the time that your application is received, such as the successful completion of a NMBA-approved program of study.

We strongly advise that you check the NMBA website for the latest information prior to lodging your new application. You can find more information about the registration standards, criminal history checks and the application process for international applicants on the Ahpra and NMBA websites.

We also recommend that you include a cover letter with your application that states that you are making a new application after successfully completing a bridging program.

Required documentation: post-bridging

• You must complete and submit an AGBP-40 application form and make all declarations required in the form. 
• You must pay the registration and application fees when making a new application after completion of a bridging program.
  You must provide a copy of your course completion certificate from the bridging program. 
• You must provide all identification requirements (as detailed in the Proof of Identity fact sheet) not previously provided. 
• You must arrange for a new Certificate of Good Standing or Certificate of Registration Status to be sent to Ahpra directly from the relevant authority.

Some applicants may need to provide additional information:

• If your work history has changed since you initially applied for registration, you must:
  • provide an updated Statement of Service from your employer(s) covering the time since you initially applied 
  • submit a new curriculum vitae that describes your full practice history and any training undertaken in accordance with the Information and definitions section of the AGBP-40 application form.
• You will be required to apply for an international criminal history check if you:
  • declare a criminal history outside Australia, and/or 
  • have lived in a country/countries other than Australia for six consecutive months or more since the age of 18.
• If applicable, you must provide details of any impairment that affects your capacity to practice. 
• If your NMBA-approved English language test has expired, you must provide:
  • a new certificate, or 
  • evidence that you have been continuously enrolled in a program of study taught and assessed in English and approved by the recognised nursing and/or midwifery regulatory body in any of the countries listed in the English language registration standard.

Upon review of the submitted documentation, you may be requested to provide additional documentation.

All documentary evidence must meet the Ahpra certification requirements.

You will only be registered if you have successfully completed the NMBA-approved bridging program and meet all the NMBA’s other registration requirements.

If you complete a bridging program that is not approved by the NMBA, your application for registration will be refused.

If you complete a bridging program and have not first been assessed and referred by the NMBA, you may be refused registration even if you have successfully completed the bridging program. This is because the program of study may not cover specific requirements that you need to be eligible for registration as a nurse or midwife.

• Information about the new model and a checklist for applicants: published on the NMBA website under Registration and endorsement > Internationally qualified nurses and midwives page 
• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) +61 3 9275 9009 (overseas callers)
• For more information on the requirements for IQNMs: visit the Internationally qualified nurses and midwives page of the NMBA website 
• Application form for IQNMs 
• Accreditation
• Approved programs of study