Ask Sam: Registration renewal 2025 – AHPRA introduces a new process for registering or renewing

In early 2025, AHPRA introduced a new online portal, featuring digital smart forms to facilitate both new registration applications and renewals.

To renew your registration, you must now set up a unique identifier via AHPRA’s new portal. While this process is not complicated it does involve a couple of steps. It is best done on a computer, as the portal is not optimised for mobile.

Nurses and midwives have until 31 May 2025 to submit their application for registration renewal.

ANMF strongly encourages members to set up their portal well before 31 May.

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How do I set up my portal?

There is a slightly different process depending on whether you are re-registering or are registering for the first time. But both processes will require you to use multi-factor authentication (see instructions below).

Renewing your registration?

For nurses and midwives with an existing AHPRA account, follow the steps below or on the APHRA website.

1. Click Practitioner portal login button on the Login page.
2. Enter your current username and password. Please use the email address linked to your online services account. If you are unsure which email is linked to your account, please contact AHPRA Customer Service on 1300 419 495, or via their online enquiry form.
3. Click next to check if your details match what AHPRA has in their system.
4. Enter your date of birth on the Security Check screen. Contact AHPRA if you are unable to match your details.
5. If your details match, AHPRA will send an email to the address they have on record. This email will become your username. Click OK if the email address on AHPRA’s file is correct.
6. You can select That’s not my email if the email address is wrong. Then enter your preferred email in the Update your email This email will become your username. If an error message appears, please contact AHPRA.
7. Email sent window confirms the email address to which a verification link has been sent.
8. Check your email inbox for a verification email. If the email is not in your inbox, check your junk or spam folder. If you don’t receive a verification email, contact AHRPA.
9. Click the link in the verification email.
10. Sign up with an Authenticator app (see below for instructions).

Registering for the first time?

For nurses and midwives registering for the first time, follow the steps below or on the APHRA website.

1. Click Practitioner portal login button on the Login page.
2. Click Create account button.
3. Enter your First name, Last name, Email address, Mobile including country code, and Date of birth.
4. Click Sign Up.
5. Check your email inbox for a verification email. If the email is not in your inbox, check your junk or spam folder. If you don’t receive a verification email, contact Customer Service on 1300 419 495 or via their online enquiry form.
6. Click the link in the verification email.
7. Sign up with an authenticator app.

How do I use multi-factor authentication?

Using an authenticator app is the most secure way to verify your identity. AHPRA recommends using Google Authenticator. This can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play.

1. Once downloaded and installed, open the app on your phone
2. In the portal account form click Sign up with an authenticator app
3. Scan the QR code on the Connect an authenticator app This will connect the app to your AHPRA account and generate a time-based, one-time passcode.
4. Enter that passcode into the Enter code field and click Verify code.
5. Choose a password (you will only need to do this once). Your password must include 14 characters, including at least
   1. 1 uppercase
   2. 1 lower case
   3. 1 number
   4. 1 special character
6. Click Change password.
7. your multifactor authentication will be complete.
8. Each time you sign in to the AHPRA practitioner portal, you’ll use your chosen mobile authenticator app to generate a one-time passcode.

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How much will it cost to renew my registration?

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) has not increased the registration renewal fee for 2025–26, meaning the fee for general registration remains $185. This is tax deductible.

If you hold both nursing and midwifery registration you will only need to pay one registration renewal fee. ANMF encourages you to retain both your registrations.

What if I don’t renew my registration by 31 May?

If you do not renew your registration by 31 May, or within the one-month late period, your name will be removed from the national register and your registration will lapse in accordance with the National Law.

I’m new to the profession. Do I still have to renew my registration by 31 May?

Yes. If you received your registration in late 2024 or early 2025 you must renew your registration by 31 May 2025 to continue to practise during 2025–26.

There is one exception: graduates who registered within two months prior to the 31 May annual renewal date are registered to practise until 31 May of the following year.

What about professional indemnity insurance?

Nurses and midwives must confirm they hold required PII arrangements. ANMF fully financial membership includes PII* that meets AHPRA requirements. You can download your individual PII certificate from the member portal: members.anmfvic.asn.au

How many hours of practice do I need to demonstrate ‘recency of practice’?

Nurses and midwives must complete a minimum of 450 hours of practice in the preceding five years to meet the NMBA recency of practice standard. If you hold dual registration, you must make separate recency of practice declarations. Consider the relevant competency and registration standards for each profession as there may and will be common elements of work and education.

If you are unsure as to whether you meet this standard, seek ANMF advice well before 31 May.

What if I’m a new graduate nurse/midwife?

Recency of practice obligations do not apply to you if you are applying for registration for the first time and your qualification was awarded not more than two years prior to the date of your application. It is likewise not applicable for student registration holders.

What if I’m a non-practising registrant?

This is not a requirement of a non-practising registrant, however ANMF strongly encourages you seek advice before moving to a non-practising registration.

Can I practise if I have a health condition or impairment?

Nurses and midwives have an obligation to declare health conditions, disability, or impairment that detrimentally affects or is likely to detrimentally affect their capacity to practice the profession.

If you have an illness or condition that is being managed and does not, nor is likely to negatively impact your ability to practice, you are NOT required to declare it to AHPRA.

ANMF strongly encourages members contact the Branch before declaring or disclosing health condition / impairment information as part of the registration/renewal process. We recommend you seek advice well ahead of 31 May. Contact us via anmfvic.asn.au/memberassistance.

How many hours of continuing professional development (CPD) do I need?

Nurses and midwives are required to complete a minimum of 20 CPD hours per registration period (each year), that is relevant to your practice, and to keep record of this. If you hold a dual nursing and a midwifery registration you must meet this standard for each registration. If you hold a ‘scheduled medicine endorsement’ and/or are endorsed as a nurse practitioner, you must complete an additional 10 CPD hours each year.

Visit education.anmfvic.asn.au to choose from more than 250 free CPD modules that members can complete anywhere, at any time.

Note: you can only count mandatory training as CPD if it is relevant to your context of practise and contains new learnings.

What if I have a criminal record?

The Health Practitioner Regulation National Law requires AHPRA, as the regulator, to consider if a health practitioner’s criminal history is relevant to the practise of their profession. When renewing registration, you must declare any changes, since the last declaration, to your criminal history (in Australia as well as in countries other than Australia).

As well as the declaration at renewal, there are obligations to tell AHPRA if you are charged with an offence punishable by 12 months’ imprisonment or more, and/or convicted of or subject of a finding of guilt for an offence punishable by imprisonment.

Members are encouraged to promptly reach out to ANMF for advice before making these declarations, or before you notify AHPRA throughout the registration period.

More information is available from nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au.

What does it mean when I’m asked if my right to practise has been withdrawn or restricted?

This question only applies to a small number of nurses and midwives who have been given ‘rights’ to work at hospitals or other facilities, such as independent private practice nurse practitioners or midwives who have admitting rights.

This question does not require you to declare if your employment has been terminated, suspended or if you are being performance managed.

Members are encouraged to review the NMBA Fact sheet: registration renewal for nurses and midwives

What is an exposure-prone procedure (EPP)?

Nurses and midwives must declare if they perform EPPs in accordance with the NMBA guidelines for registered health practitioners in relation to blood-borne viruses. Examples of EPPs include a midwife repairing an episiotomy, assisting with a caesarean birth, application of foetal scalp electrodes or a perioperative nurse surgical assistant involved in open surgical procedures.

ANMF members should seek advice early from ANMF Member Assistance if you have any questions about your registration renewal.

*some exceptions apply. Refer to the PII policy for details.