New AHPRA Registration Update (April 2025): What You Need to Know
Good news for internationally qualified nurses (IQRNs)! AHPRA and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) have introduced a streamlined registration process, making it easier for nurses to work in Australia. This change helps address workforce shortages in health, aged care, and primary care by reducing red tape—potentially cutting registration time by up to 12 months!
If you’re a nurse from or working in an approved country, you may now qualify for one of two simplified pathways to registration.
Who is Eligible for the Streamlined Pathway?
Nurses who are from or currently working in Comparable Jurisdictions—countries recognized for having healthcare systems and nursing education standards similar to Australia—will benefit from the new registration process. These jurisdictions include:
· United Kingdom
· Ireland
· United States
· Canada
· Singapore
· Spain
If you’re from one of these countries, have completed your studies and have substantial recent nursing experience, you may be eligible for the new faster registration process.
The Two Pathways to General Registration
The NMBA has established two pathways for IQRNs to obtain general AHPRA registration in Australia. Here’s how they work:
Pathway 1: For Nurses Trained in a Comparable Jurisdiction
If you completed your nursing degree in an approved Comparable Jurisdiction and are currently working there, your AHPRA registration process will be straightforward due to the similarity in training and healthcare systems to Australia.
Pathway 2: For Nurses Trained Outside a Comparable Jurisdiction
Previously, nurses without a degree from a Comparable Jurisdiction faced a lengthy and complex process, often requiring additional studies in Australia. However, with the recent changes, registered nurses (such as those holding an NMC PIN in the UK) who are actively working in one of the select countries mentioned earlier may now qualify for AHPRA with only minimal examinations—eliminating the need to travel to Australia as part of the process.
NOTE – If you have not studied and have no nursing registration from a comparable jurisdiction, then you will likely need further study to allow you to complete the AHPRA registration.
Why This Matters
This new pathway offers a faster and more efficient route to working in Australia, allowing nurses to help meet healthcare demand more quickly. Even if your degree is not from a Comparable Jurisdiction, you may still be eligible under Pathway 2 if you have the required experience and registration in a selected country.
By understanding these new streamlined processes and eligibility criteria, you can take the next step in your nursing career in Australia with greater confidence.
Stay tuned for next week’s Case Study! We’ll explore how these changes impact a nurse who trained outside a Comparable Jurisdiction but has worked in an eligible country—such as the UK—for five years.
If you are interested in learning more about the AHPRA process or our opportunities for Nurses & Midwives in Australia, contact the team today:
