Media statement

04 Sep 2014

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and AHPRA have announced a response for some nurses and midwives caught by changes to registration requirements in February 2014.

National Board and AHPRA response for applicants approved for skilled migration before new model

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (National Board) and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) are pleased to announce an option for internationally qualified nurses and midwives caught by changes to registration requirements in February 2014.

Since we announced in mid-August our commitment to help those nurses and midwives currently seeking registration with the National Board, who were approved for skilled migration before the new model for assessing qualifications took effect, the National Board and AHPRA have been investigating transitional arrangements that are lawful, sensible and timely.

The National Board is holding applications from a number of IQNMs in this specific situation and has confirmed it will register nurses and midwives who:

• meet all National Board registration requirements other than qualifications
• hold a qualification at AQF level 6 and above, and have no subsequent qualifications that will allow for registration
• were approved for skilled migration by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) before 10 February 2014 and then found their qualifications were no longer adequate to gain registration in Australia after 10 February 2014
• applied for registration with the National Board by 29 August 2014, and have therefore registered their intent to practise as nurses or midwives, and
• hold a valid ANMAC Letter of Determination, or an Australian visa obtained on the basis of the ANMAC approval, at the time of application.

The National Board has confirmed it will register these applicants without requiring them to complete a Board-approved bridging program of study.

‘The National Board recognises that these nurses and midwives were caught in a difficult situation, as they may have made irreversible decisions – such as migrating to Australia – in good faith, based on the outcome of ANMAC’s skills assessment,’ said National Board Chair Dr Lynette Cusack, RN.

‘Our option for them is lawful, practical and in line with professional standards,’ said Dr Cusack.

Only applicants who were assessed and approved by ANMAC for skilled migration based on their nursing or midwifery skills are eligible.

The National Board has no lawful solution available to applicants who have migrated to Australia under any other visa type, such as spousal visas or working holiday visas.

The National Board is still determining the best approach for those nurses and midwives approved by ANMAC before 10 February 2014 but whose qualification is at AQF level 5 or below.

On behalf of the National Board, AHPRA is working to speed up application assessment and processing for the eligible group of nurses and midwives.

We will contact all applicants who emailed ANMACapprovedIQNM@ahpra.gov.au to notify them of the outcome of their enquiry. If you believe you meet the requirements listed above and have not yet emailed us, please send us a copy of your ANMAC Letter of Determination to ANMACapprovedIQNM@ahpra.gov.au.

Applicants approved for skilled migration after 10 February 2014 may be eligible for referral to a Board-approved bridging program of study if they meet all other requirements of the new model.

Information about registration requirements for internationally qualified nurses and midwives is published on the National Board website. See also the frequently asked questions (FAQ) we recently updated.

For more information

• Lodge an online enquiry form
• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) +61 3 8708 9001 (overseas callers)
• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200

Download a PDF of this Media statement - National Board and AHPRA response for applicants approved for skilled migration before new model (210 KB,PDF)