Nursing and Midwifery Board releases revised English language skills registration standard

24 Oct 2018

Today the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (the NMBA) released an advance copy of the revised English language skills registration standard (2019).

All applications for general registration as a nurse or midwife in Australia need to meet the NMBA English language skills registration standard. The revised standard will come into effect on 1 March 2019.

What’s changed?

The English language skills registration standard (2019) amends the Extended Education Pathway of the standard. The amendment to the Extended Education Pathway has been made to clarify the existing requirement to complete at least five (5) years (full-time equivalent) education as continuous education.

The requirement for education to be continuous over five years (full-time equivalent) aligns with the approach across all professions in the National Scheme.

Does this apply to me?

If you are submitting an application for registration as a registered nurse, enrolled nurse or midwife, the following will apply:

• If you submit your application for registration before 1 March 2019 you will be required to meet the NMBA English language skills registration standard (2015).
• If you enrolled in an NMBA-approved program of study before 1 March 2019 and you complete your NMBA approved program of study and are applying for initial registration between 1 March 2019 and 1 March 2020 you will be required to meet the requirement of the policy for the transitional arrangements for the NMBA English language skills registration standard (2019).
• All other applications for registration submitted on or after 1 March 2019 will be required to meet the revised NMBA English language skills registration standard (2019).

Further information

Updated versions of supporting documents have also been released today and will take effect on 1 March 2019. These documents can help potential applicants decide if they meet the standard and include:

• Advanced copy - Registration standard - English language skills - 1 March 2019 (168KB, PDF), Word version (405KB,DOCX)
• Advanced copy - Guidelines - English Language skills evidence guide for nurses and midwives - 1 March 2019 (136KB,PDF), Word version (212KB,DOCX)
• Advanced copy - Fact sheet - English language skills registration standard - 1 March 2019 (152 KB,PDF), Word version (408KB,DOCX) and
• Advanced copy - English language skills registration standard pathways - 1 March 2019 (491KB,PDF), Word version (158 KB,DOCX) 
• Advanced copy - English language skills registration standard (2019) transition policy - 1 March 2019 (183KB,PDF), Word version (90.9 KB,DOCX)

For more information

• Visit the English skills registration standard page.
• Visit the AHPRA website for online enquiries.
• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) +61 3 8708 9001 (overseas callers).
• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200