Fact sheet: Student registration

Individual students do not need to do anything to register with the NMBA.

Education providers are responsible for making sure they have provided the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), on behalf of the NMBA, details of all students enrolled in an NMBA-approved program of study or who are undertaking clinical training in nursing or midwifery.

Students enrolled in approved programs of study

On behalf of the NMBA, Ahpra requests an update of all new and existing students enrolled in an approved program of study from all education providers twice a year to coincide with each academic census date (March and August).

An approved program of study is a program that is:

• accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council, and
• approved by the NMBA.

Students undertaking clinical training

Student registration also applies to students who are not enrolled in an approved program of study but are undertaking clinical training (such as clinical placement, rotation) in a health profession for which they do not hold nursing or midwifery registration.

Education providers must provide Ahpra with student details at the start of their clinical training.

For the purpose of clinical training, ‘education providers’ also include:

• health services
• other organisations, and
• in some instances, individuals.

The National Law states that students must be registered in the interests of public safety.

No. The student register is not published on the NMBA or Ahpra websites and is not publicly available nor is it accessible to education providers, health services or students.

Under the National Law, information on the student register must remain confidential.

Ahpra, on behalf of the NMBA, requests education providers for the following information:

Student:

• name 
• ID number
• date of birth
• sex 
• mailing address in Australia 
• email details

Name of:

• education provider 
• approved program of study or clinical training being undertaken by the student

Date on which the student:

• started the approved program of study or clinical training 
• is expected to complete the approved program of study or clinical training, and 
• has completed or ceased to be enrolled in the approved program of study or clinical training, if applicable. In this case, the education provider needs to provide the reason why the student completed or otherwise ceased to be enrolled in the approved program of study or clinical training.

No fee applies to student registration.

For each registered student, the NMBA’s focus is mainly on managing notifications. This applies to those students who have:

• a health impairment to such a degree that there may be substantial risk of harm to the public 
• been found guilty of an offence punishable by 12 months imprisonment or more 
• a conviction of, or are the subject of, a finding of guilt for an offence punishable by imprisonment, or 
• contravened an existing condition or undertaking.

Ahpra may receive notifications from either:

• an education provider who is required under the National Law to report students with health impairment to such a degree that there may be substantial risk of harm to the public, or 
• an entity (person or organisation) that voluntarily reports the student for a health impairment or criminal matter and/or a contravention of an existing condition or undertaking.

Matters relating to academic progress or conduct are for education providers to address.

The NMBA and Ahpra have no role in the academic progress or conduct of students, other than when they have:

• offences punishable by 12 months imprisonment or more, or 
• a conviction of, or are the subject of, a finding of guilt for an offence punishable by imprisonment.

No, your education provider does not need to register you again with the NMBA. Student registration is not required for people who are already registered in the health profession in which training is being undertaken.

Student registration begins:

• from the first year of the program for students enrolled in approved programs of study, or
• on commencement of clinical training in nursing or midwifery.

Student registration ends when a student completes, or otherwise ceases to be enrolled in, the approved program of study or clinical training in nursing or midwifery.

The education provider advises Ahpra, on behalf of the NMBA, of students who complete or cease their approved program of study or clinical training.

Not while you are studying.

The NMBA and Ahpra have no role in the academic progress or conduct of students, other than when they have:

• offences punishable by 12 months imprisonment or more, or 
• a conviction of, or are the subject of, a finding of guilt for an offence punishable by imprisonment.

Education providers manage independently their own disciplinary and academic progress pathways.

In order to establish and maintain ongoing communication with you as a student, Ahpra, on behalf of the NMBA, asks education providers to supply students’ email addresses.

No. Students do not get a certificate of registration or confirmation of student registration.

The student register is not public and health services or other entities needing proof of your registration need to contact your education provider for details of your program of study.

Under the National Law, your education provider is obliged to notify you once your details are successfully added to the student register.

The student register is not published on the NMBA or Ahpra websites and is not publicly available; nor is it accessible to education providers, health services or students. Under the National Law, information on the student register must remain confidential.

If you are not sure about your registration as a student, speak to your education provider.

In order to become registered as a nurse and/or a midwife, you must meet the NMBA’s mandatory registration standards.

Yes. Students of nursing or midwifery about to graduate can go online to apply early for registration as a nurse or a midwife.

An online graduate service is available on the Ahpra website for final year students in approved programs of study. You can apply for registration four to six weeks before completing your program.

For more information about the graduate registration process, visit the graduate information on the NMBA website.

Under the National Law, if you are enrolled in an approved program of study or are undertaking clinical training, you must notify your local Ahpra office within seven days of becoming aware that:

• you have been charged with an offence punishable by 12 months imprisonment or more
• you have been convicted of, or are the subject of, a finding of guilt for an offence punishable by imprisonment, or
• your registration under the law of another country that provides for the registration of students has been suspended or cancelled.

Any entity (person or organisation) may make a voluntary notification to Ahpra about a student when they believe that you have, or may have:

• been charged with an offence, or has been convicted or found guilty of an offence, that is punishable by 12 months imprisonment or more
• a health impairment that may harm the public, or
• contravened a condition of your student registration or an undertaking you have given to the NMBA.

The National Law protects from civil, criminal and administrative liability anyone who, in good faith, makes a notification under the National Law.

Ahpra, on behalf of the NMBA, will assess all notifications to determine whether the NMBA must consider taking immediate action to protect public health or safety.

More information on notifications and outcomes is published on the Ahpra website.

• Student registration information on the NMBA website
• Lodge an online enquiry form
• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (in Australia) +61 3 9275 9009 (overseas callers)