A revised Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) English-language skills registration standard will come into effect in April 2025. Also coming into effect in April will be the new registration standard: general registration for internationally qualified registered nurses (IQRN), which offers two additional pathways for eligible IQRNs to register in Australia.
The new standards are intended to provide an effective balance between public protection and increased flexibility for applicants. They are based on the recommendations of the Kruk review (aka the Final report of the independent review of overseas health practitioner regulatory settings). Namely, to:
- expand the range of countries recognised as part of pathways to meet the standards, and
- reduce from 7 to 6.5 (IELTS equivalent) in the writing test result score accepted by National Boards.
English-language standard
The Nursing and Midwifery English-language skills registration standard applies to all applicants applying for registration for the first time as enrolled nurses, registered nurses and midwives.
ANMF provided a submission to the NMBA in the development of the new standard. This noted ANMF support for the modest changes (reducing from 7 to 6.5 (IELTS equivalent) in the writing test) while urging further review of the limited and inflexible definition of continuous education and consideration of the definition’s impact on potential registrants’ ability to demonstrate they have met AHPRA and the National Board’s English-language skills registration standard.
IQRN standard
The additional pathways recognise the experience of IQRNs who have practised for at least 1,800 hours in NMBA-approved comparable jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, United States, Canada (British Columbia and Ontario), Singapore and Spain.
The streamlined process is designed to cut the time and complexity for eligible applicants wanting to work in Australia. The current application process, including examination or other assessment, typically takes 9 to 12 months but may take longer if additional time is needed or examinations must be re-sat.
Under the new pathways, eligible IQRNs may complete the registration process in 1 to 6 months, depending on the complexity and information provided.
The standard removes the requirement for NMBA examinations or qualification upgrades for these practitioners, providing greater flexibility to support recommendations outlined in the Kruk report.
Eligible IQRNs must also meet the same mandatory NMBA registration standards as Australian-trained nurses and demonstrate they satisfy the criteria outlined in either Pathway 1 or Pathway 2 of the new standard.
To ensure the standard’s effectiveness and safety, a review will be conducted one year after its implementation to evaluate its impact and identify opportunities for further improvement.
ANMF provided submissions to the NMBA supporting the development of a registration standard that offers a streamlined approach for IQRNs who have been registered in a comparable international regulatory jurisdiction. ANMF believes this will provide a more affordable, efficient and attractive pathway for this cohort of suitably qualified internationally qualified registered nurses. The development of a similar pathway for internationally qualified midwives is also supported.
