If you’re in the final three months of finishing your nursing or midwifery studies, you should now apply to AHPRA, to initiate your Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) registration so you’re ready to commence working in 2025.
When you start the registration process earlier, the NMBA aims to have your registered application processed soon after you are advised of your successful academic results.
To start you will need to create an account via their online services portal. You’ll be able to upload any new or additional information when it becomes available. For example, when you receive your final academic transcript, or employment contract outlining the commencement date for your graduate program.
Application tips
1. Check your preparation
It’s important you read and make sure you understand the instructions. AHPRA have created a short instructional video which you can view on the graduate application page.
2. Review your application
Take your time to review your application to ensure you have all the required certified documentation in the format they require ready for submission. Make sure you include items that demonstrate your proof of identity.
3. Ensure all pages of documents are certified
When certifying documents, initial every page and have the certifier include the statement as directed. Please note there are different words required for the authorising officer to use when certifying any document including a photograph.
The application process can be slowed down if you mistakenly do not submit supporting documentation in the specific format required, including the new wording required for certifying documents.
4. English Language Standard
The NMBA English language skills registration standard applies to all nurses and midwives applying for initial registration, regardless of whether they qualified in Australia or overseas. Student nurses and midwives who were born overseas and assessed as not meeting the standard prior to commencing their course, should have undertaken an English Language Test prior to starting study. Sometimes this does not occur.
If you are required to undertake the test, and have not, AHPRA will require that you undertake it before you can be registered. It is advisable, if you were born overseas (and have not done at least six years of schooling in Australia) that you check the standard to make sure and contact ANMF member assistance for advice.
5. Disclosures
ANMF strongly encourage you to first contact the Branch if you are unsure when you reach the Disclosures section of your application. You are required to provide accurate declarations with respect to professional indemnity insurance (PII) arrangements and impairments. Nurses and midwives are only required to declare impairments that detrimentally affect, or are likely to detrimentally affect, their capacity to practise the profession.
If you have a medical condition that is managed and does not meet this threshold, then you are not required to declare this as an impairment. If you are unsure of the obligation to notify then please contact ANMF member assistance for advice.
6. Criminal history
If you need to make declarations around criminal history, then ensure you provide requisite detail in the accompanying statement. This would include details such as the full circumstance and what the outcome was, as well as any supporting documentation.
Please note the NMBA criminal history check is more extensive than the police check that was required prior to placement. Please ensure you read the NMBA criminal history information if you have any concerns. If you are unsure of the obligation to notify, please contact ANMF member assistance for further advice.
7. Haven’t yet finished clinical placement?
If you have a clinical placement to finish, your registration process won’t be started until all course requirements are completed and your education provider sends the appropriate documentation. AHPRA has advised all education providers to inform them as soon as documentation is finalised.
Need assistance?
If you are four weeks from starting your graduate program or new job and are having issues with your AHPRA registration, contact the Grad and Student Support Officer or member assistance for further advice.
