To work as a nurses in Australia, internationally qualified applicants must meet the English Language Skills Registration Standard set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and Ahpra.
Nurses in Australia
If you’re planning to start your nursing or midwifery career in Australia, there’s good news! The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) have announced changes to the English language test score requirements for nurses and midwives. These updates, effective from April 2025, aim to provide more flexibility while ensuring that all applicants meet the required English language competency. Here’s everything you need to know:
What is the New English Language Skills Registration Standard 2025?
The new standard by NMBA and AHPRA ensures that all applicants for initial registration as nurses or midwives demonstrate English language proficiency. This applies to anyone seeking initial registration as a Registered Nurse (RN), Midwife, or Enrolled Nurse.
What is AHPRA?
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) works with the 15 National Boards to help protect the public by regulating Australia’s registered health practitioners.
Health practitioners and medical professionals must register with Ahpra to legally work and practice in Australia.
As part of their registration standards, English language skills requirements must be met.
Ways to Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
There are three main pathways to prove your English language skills:
1. Pathway for English Language Testing
If you’re opting this track, the following tests are accepted:
- IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)
- Test options: Paper-based or computer-based at test centers.
- Minimum Scores (Updated April 2025):
- Overall: 7
- Components: 7 in listening, reading, and speaking; 6.5 in writing (previously 7).
- OET (Occupational English Test)
- Test options: Any profession-specific OET test on paper or computer.
- Minimum Scores (Updated April 2025):
- B in listening, reading, and speaking; C+ in writing (previously B).
- PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English)
- Test options: Computer-based at test centers.
- Minimum Scores (Updated April 2025):
- Overall: 66 (previously 65)
- Components: 66 in listening, reading, and speaking; 56 in writing (previously 65).
- TOEFL iBT and Cambridge (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency)
Test Sitting Requirements:
- Option 1: Single Sitting – Achieve all minimum scores in one test session.
- Option 2: Two Sittings Within 12 Months – Combine scores across two sittings within 12 months, provided:
- The overall minimum score is met in both sittings.
- No component score is below the minimum acceptable level.
Previously, this period was limited to six months; the extension to 12 months offers added flexibility.
Validity of Test Results:
- Results must be obtained within two years before the application date.
- Results older than two years are acceptable if:
- The applicant has worked continuously in an English-speaking healthcare setting in a recognized country starting within 12 months of the test date. This is especially useful for nurses with expired scores but recent work experience in countries like the UK or Ireland.
Important Note: Results from different test providers cannot be combined, and independent verification of test results is mandatory.
2. Pathway for Candidates with Primary Language
To qualify:
- English must be your primary language.
- You must have completed at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English, including two years between Years 7 and 12.
- Your nursing or midwifery qualification must have been taught and assessed solely in English in a recognized country.
3. Pathway with 5 Years Continuous Education
If English isn’t your primary language, you can meet the standard by providing evidence of 5 years of continuous full-time education in English in a recognized country. This education can include secondary, tertiary and Vocational Studies
Updates:
- Additional recognized countries have been added to this pathway.
- The last period of education must have been completed no more than five years before applying for registration.
4.Pathway through Combined Education
If anyone who have completed at least two years secondary education in English in a recognised country and your qualifications were taught and assessed in English in a recognised country, this pathway will work for you
- To satisfy this pathway, you must have a combination of secondary education and qualifications, where you have carried out and successfully completed:
- At least two years of your secondary education which was taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country.
- Qualification(s) for your profession, which were taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country.
A revised NMBA English language skills registration standard (2025) will come into effect by April 2025. To give applicants time to familiarise themselves with the revised standard, the NMBA has published an advance copy below. Please note the Registration standard: English language skills (2019) will remain current until the revised standard comes into effect.
Note:
- Nurses applying before April 1, 2025, must meet the existing English standards.
- The new changes provide relief to many applicants, particularly those who struggled with the writing component.
- Extended test validity and flexible sitting options aim to accommodate diverse candidate needs.
REFERENCE
- AHPRA, English Requirements for Standard Registration https://www.ahpra.gov.au/documents/default.aspx?record=WD24%2f34389&dbid=AP&chksum=DlNj7UGGI8NlfQlghDVV2w%3d%3d
- Australia Changes English Language Test Score Requirement for Nurses retrieved from https://www.edulogix.com.au/blog/english-test-score-requirements-nurses/
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