Student registration and approved programs of study

27 May 2019

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) wants to remind health services and employers of nurses about the requirements of student registration under the National Law¹.

The role of the NMBA is to protect the public in accordance with the National Law, by ensuring that only suitably qualified and competent people are registered to practise. This is a matter of public safety.

Under the National Law, the NMBA is responsible for registering students enrolled in an approved program of study and students undertaking clinical training placements in a health profession. This requirement is based in the interests of protecting the public’s safety in much the same way that health practitioners must be registered.

Requirement to be in an approved program of study to be registered as a student with the NMBA

The NMBA approves accreditation standards and accredited courses of study leading to registration as a nurse or a midwife.

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) is the independent accrediting authority for nursing and midwifery education. ANMAC is responsible for determining whether programs of study for nurses and midwives seeking to practise in Australia meet the required accreditation standards.

The NMBA and ANMAC have a responsibility to ensure that all programs of study leading to registration as an enrolled nurse or registered nurse meet standards which contribute to safe and quality nursing practice in Australia.

Importantly, where a person is undertaking clinical training and is not enrolled in an approved program of study OR undertaking clinical training in a program that leads to registration in a health profession (enrolled nurse or registered nurse), then the person will not be registered as a student with the NMBA.

Reminder to check the register when employing a nurse

In addition, there are education programs offered in Australia lead that do not lead to registration as an enrolled nurse or registered nurse. Health services and employers of nurses are reminded that the online national register can confirm the registration status of a nurse and is proof that the person is registered to practise.

More information can be found on the NMBA website.