AUSTRALIA MIGRATION PROCEDURE
AUSTRALIA MIGRATION PROCEDURE:
NURSING AND MIDWIFERY BOARD OF
AUSTRALIA: (AHPRA)
Internationally qualified nurses and midwives
If you are an internationally qualified nurse or
midwife and are interested in working in Australia, it is important you review the
following important information about immigration to Australia, and
registration and employment as a nurse or midwife in Australia.
To work as a nurse or midwife in Australia, you need
to apply for and be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of
Australia (NMBA). You may also need to apply for a visa issued by the
Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection (Australian
Immigration Department).
These two application processes are entirely separate
and success in one does not automatically guarantee success in the other.
Important note for international applicants who are
registered in New Zealand:
Applicants who have the legal authority to practise as
a nurse or midwife in New Zealand are subject to certain entitlements under
the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 (Cth) and should apply for registration with the
National Board using the following form:
·
Nursing and Midwifery
Board - Form - Application for Trans Tasman mutual recognition - ATMR-40 (1.43 MB,PDF)
Immigration to
Australia
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation
Council (ANMAC) is an independent organisation gazetted by the Minister for
Immigration (pursuant to the Migration Act
1958, Regulations Amendment 1999, 2.228) to perform skills assessment for migration purposes. ANMAC assesses
the skills of internationally qualified nurses and midwives who want to migrate
to Australia under the General Skilled Migration program – see International services on the ANMAC website.
Important note:
We advise that you do not make any irreversible
decisions - such as resigning from current employment or moving to Australia -
until you have applied for and been approved for registration with the NMBA.
The timeframe to process your application for registration depends on the
unique circumstances of your application.
More information on visa applications, including
skills assessments and assessing authorities is available on the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection website.
Registration and
employment as a nurse or midwife in Australia
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
(AHPRA) assesses applications for registration from internationally qualified
nurses and midwives on behalf of the NMBA. The NMBA is governed by the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law as in force in each state and territory and is
responsible for the final decision on each application.
International applicants must meet the registration
standards and qualification criteria in order to be eligible for registration.
More information
Internationally qualified nurse practitioners
If you are an internationally qualified nurse
practitioner and interested in working in Australia as a nurse practitioner you
need to first apply for and obtain registration as a registered nurse with the
NMBA. Then, to be recognised and be able to practice as a nurse practitioner in
Australia you must become ‘endorsed’ by the NMBA under the National Law as a
nurse practitioner. There are further requirements set by the NMBA that you
must meet to become endorsed as a nurse practitioner.
More information
Difference between
ANMAC (immigration) and NMBA (registration) assessments
ANMAC takes into consideration work experience in
assessing an applicant’s qualifications, which is then used to determine
suitability for skilled migration. Under the National Law, the NMBA can only
take into account an applicant’s qualifications when establishing whether their
qualifications are substantially equivalent to an Australian qualification.
This is why some applicants may be approved for skilled migration but do not
meet the registration requirements of the NMBA.
Employment
Neither AHPRA nor the NMBA are involved in employment
matters and we are therefore unable to assist you in seeking employment or
influencing employment outcomes. However, it is important to be aware that
any health practitioner must hold registration with the relevant National Board
prior to taking up employment in Australia in their profession. We recommend
that you do not apply for work until your registration eligibility is
confirmed.
Recommended pathway to
employment in Australia for internationally qualified nurses and midwives
1. Assess your ability to meet the registration
requirements
2. Assess your ability to meet the immigration
requirements
3. Fill in application form and provide all documentation
to AHPRA
4. NMBA will assess whether you meet the requirements for
registration
5. Receive registration
6. Apply for immigration to Australia
7. Obtain employment
8. Emigrate to Australia
9. Begin working
REGISTRATION STANDARDS:
·
Criminal History
·
English Language
Skills
·
Recency of
Practice
·
Professional Indemnity
Insurance Arrangements
More information
relating to registration standards is available in FAQ and fact sheets on the NMBA website.
QUALIFICATION CRITERIA:
Before you can be
registered to practice in Australia as a registered nurse, your application
will be assessed against the criteria listed below. You need to provide us with
evidence that you meet each of the eight criteria. For more information about
the documentation required, please see Supporting documentation
for us to assess your qualification.
|
Criterion
|
What the criterion
requires
|
|
1
|
Your qualification
makes you eligible to apply for registration to practise as a registered
nurse in the country where you completed the program of study.
|
|
2
|
The education institution where you studied was
externally accredited during the period when you undertook your studies.
That is, during the time you studied your education institution must have been:
·
subject to regular review by an external quality assurance agency and
·
registered or accredited by that agency
For more information
on this criterion, please see Accreditation
requirements of the qualification assessment model.
|
|
3
|
Your program of study was externally accredited and
provided successful graduates with a qualification in nursing.
That is, during the time you undertook your program of study:
·
the program of study must have been subject to regular review within
a system of external accreditation implemented by the relevant nursing and/or
midwifery regulatory authority or agency and
·
the program of study must have been accredited or recognised by that
authority or agency and
·
the system of external accreditation included the application of
accreditation standards specific to nursing education that are comparable to
the current nursing and midwifery accreditation standards and system in
Australia.
For more information
on this criterion, please see Accreditation
requirements of the qualification assessment model.
|
|
4
|
Your overseas
qualification is equivalent to an Australian bachelor degree (registered
nurse) as a minimum.
For more information on this criterion, please see Assessing your qualifications: Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). |
|
5
|
Your program of
study included a minimum of 800 hours of workplace experience* providing
exposure to a variety of healthcare settings.
*Definition of workplace experience is taken from the 2012 ANMAC Registered Nurse Accreditation Standards, and used with permission: ‘a component of nursing education which allows students to use judgment when applying theoretical knowledge in an actual practice setting. Includes concept of 'clinical training' as set out under National Law.’ |
|
6
|
The curriculum of
your program of study focused on the various aspects of nursing practice.
That is, that it:
·
has contemporary nursing practice as its main focus,
·
includes core health professional knowledge and skills and specific
nursing practice knowledge and skills that:
·
are based on current and best available evidence and
·
are applied across the human lifespan and
includes health/nursing research, health policy and
evidence based inquiry throughout the course content.
|
|
7
|
You successfully
completed all components of the program and have graduated with a
qualification.
|
|
8
|
The education institution that provided the program
of study, and confirmed your qualification, has certified that you have
successfully completed an assessment in medication management including:
·
administration of medications (including calculations),
·
pharmacokinetics (the study of the bodily absorption, distribution,
metabolism, and excretion of drugs) and
·
pharmacodynamics (the study of the biochemical and physiological
effects of drugs and the mechanisms of their action in the body).
As part of the
certification, the education institution must provide information that
clearly shows the medication management content you completed as part of the
program of study.
|
FOR MIDWIFES:
Before you can be
registered to practise in Australia as a midwife, your application will be
assessed against the criteria listed below. You need to provide us with
evidence that you meet each of the eight criteria. For more information about
the documentation required, please see Supporting
documentation for us to assess your qualification.
|
Criterion
|
What the criterion
requires
|
|
1
|
Your qualification
made you eligible to apply for registration to practise as a midwife in the
country where you completed the program of study.
|
|
2
|
The education institution where
you studied was externally accredited during the period when you undertook
your studies.
That is, during the time you studied your education institution must have been:
·
subject to regular review by an external quality assurance
agency and
·
registered or accredited by that agency.
For more information
on this criterion, please see Accreditation
requirements of the qualification assessment model.
|
|
3
|
Your program of study was
externally accredited and provided successful graduates with a qualification
in midwifery.
That is, during the time you undertook your program of study:
·
the program of study must have been subject to regular
review within a system of external accreditation implemented by the relevant
nursing and/or midwifery regulatory authority or agency and
·
the program of study must have been accredited or
recognised by that authority or agency and
·
the system of external accreditation included the
application of accreditation standards specific to midwifery education that
are comparable to the current nursing and midwifery accreditation standards
and system in Australia.
For more information
on this criterion, please see Accreditation
requirements of the qualification assessment model.
|
|
4
|
Your overseas
qualification is equivalent to an Australian bachelor degree (midwife) as a
minimum (or where relevant a postgraduate qualification).
For more information on this criterion, please see Assessing your qualifications: Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). |
|
5
|
Evidence of
completion of specified minimum supervised professional
experience requirements, regardless of the length of the program.
|
|
6
|
The curriculum of
your program of study focused on midwifery and contemporary midwifery
practice and reflects the International definition of a midwife (in
accordance with the International Confederation of Midwives’ definition).
That is, that it:
·
has contemporary midwifery practice as its main focus,
·
includes core health professional knowledge and skills and
specific midwifery practice knowledge and skills that:
·
are based on current and best available evidence and-
·
are applied across the human lifespan and
includes health/midwifery
research, health policy and evidence based inquiry throughout the course
content
|
|
7
|
You successfully
completed all components of the program and have graduated with a
qualification.
|
|
8
|
The education institution that
provided the program of study, and confirmed your qualification, has
certified that you have successfully completed an assessment in medication
management including:
·
administration of medications (including calculations),
·
pharmacokinetics (the study of the bodily absorption,
distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs) and
·
pharmacodynamics (the study of the biochemical and
physiological effects of drugs and the mechanisms of their action in the
body).
As part of the certification,
the education institution must provide information that clearly shows the
medication management content you completed as part of the program of study.
|
The inclusion of
periods of midwifery practice experience in the program, so students can
complete the following minimum, supervised midwifery practice experience
requirements.
Continuity of care experiences
a.
Experience in
woman-centred care as part of continuity of care experiences. The student is
supported to:
a. establish, maintain and conclude a professional
relationship while experiencing continuity with individual women through
pregnancy, labour and birth, and the postnatal period, regardless of model of
care
b. provide midwifery care within a professional practice
setting and under the supervision of a midwife—in collaborative practice
arrangements supervision by other relevant registered practitioners (for
example, medical officer qualified in obstetrics, child health nurse or
physiotherapist) may be appropriate
c. engage with a minimum of 10 women—engagement involves
attending four antenatal visits, two postnatal visits and, for the majority of
women, the labour and birth
d. maintain a record of each engagement incorporating
regular reflection and review by the education or health service provider.
Antenatal care
b. Attendance at 100 antenatal episodes of care. This may
include women the student is following as part of their continuity of care
experiences.
Labour and birth care
c. Under the supervision of a midwife, act as the primary
accoucheur for 30 women who experience a spontaneous vaginal birth, which may
include women the student has engaged with as part of their continuity of care
experiences. This also involves:
a. providing direct and active care in the first stage of
labour, where possible
b. managing the third stage of labour, including the
student providing care as appropriate if a manual removal of the placenta is
required
c. facilitating initial mother and baby interaction,
including promotion of skin-to-skincontact and breastfeeding in accordance with
the mother’s wishes or situation
d. assessment and monitoring of the mother’s and baby’s
adaptation for the first hour post-birth including, where appropriate,
consultation, referral and clinical handover.
- Provide direct and active care
to an additional 10 women throughout the first stage of labour and, where
possible, during birth—regardless of mode.
Complex care
e. Experience in caring for 40 women with complex needs
across pregnancy, labour, birth or the postnatal period. This may include women
the student has engaged with as part of their continuity of care experiences.
Postnatal care
f. Attendance at 100 postnatal episodes of care with
women and, where possible, their babies. This may include women the student has
engaged with as part of their continuity of care experiences.
g. Experiences in supporting women to feed their babies
and in promoting breastfeeding in accordance with best-practice principles
advocated by the Baby Friendly Health Initiative.
h. Experiences in women’s health and sexual health.
i. Experiences in assessing the mother and baby at four
to six weeks postpartum in the practice setting where possible; otherwise by
use of simulation.
Neonatal care
j. Experience in undertaking 20 full examinations of a
newborn infant.
k. Experiences in care of the neonate with special care
needs
Please note: The qualification criteria for registration as
an enrolled nurse are different to those of a registered nurse. An enrolled
nurse differs from a registered nurse in the following ways:
·
levels of, and
approach to, the education of enrolled nurses
·
requirements for
supervision
·
standards for
practice, and
·
scope of practice.
Your registered nurse
qualification will not meet the requirements for registration as an enrolled nurse:
There are two distinct
divisions of nursing registration in Australia - enrolled nurse and registered
nurse, and given the distinction between these two types of nursing
registration under the National Law, the NMBA must consider qualifications for
each division separately. A program of study leading to registration as a
registered nurse is delivered at the Bachelor level (AQF 7). A program of study
leading to registration as an enrolled nurse is separate from, and not part
of, the program of study leading to registration as a registered nurse and is
delivered at the Diploma level (AQF 5). The breadth and depth of the education
of a registered nurse and an enrolled nurse are quite different. As a result
the role expectations and scope of practice of a registered nurse and an
enrolled nurse are different.
Each program of study
is approved against the relevant NMBA-approved accreditation standards and
designed to meet the relevant NMBA standards for practice (also known as
competency standards), that is the Enrolled Nurse
competency standards or the Registered Nurse
competency standards. This means that a person graduating from a program of study (such as
a Bachelor of Nursing) leading to registration as a registered nurse is not entitled
to registration as an enrolled nurse in Australia.
If an applicant from
overseas was qualified to register as a nurse in the country where they
completed their studies, and that country had only one level of nursing
registration, their qualification is assessed against the requirements for
registration in the division of registered nurse in Australia.
Before you can be
registered to practise in Australia as an enrolled nurse, your application will
be assessed against the criteria listed below. For us to assess your
qualification, you need to provide us with evidence that you meet each of the
eight criteria. For more information about the documentation required, please
see Supporting
documentation for us to assess your qualification.
|
Criterion
|
What the criterion
requires
|
|
1
|
Your qualification
made you eligible to apply for registration to practise as an enrolled nurse
in the country where you completed the program of study.
|
|
2
|
The education institution where you studied was
externally accredited during the period when you undertook your studies.
That is, during the time you studied your education institution must have been:
·
subject to regular review by an external quality assurance agency and
·
registered or accredited by that agency.
For more information
on this criterion, please see Accreditation
requirements of the qualification assessment model.
|
|
3
|
Your program of
study was externally accredited and provided successful graduates with a
qualification in nursing.
That is, during the time you undertook your program of study: • the program of study must have been subject to regular review within a system of external accreditation implemented by the relevant nursing and/or midwifery regulatory authority or agency and • the program of study must have been accredited or recognised by that authority or agency and • the system of external accreditation included the application of accreditation standards specific to nursing education that are comparable to the current nursing and midwifery accreditation standards and system in Australia. For more information on this criterion, please see Accreditation requirements of the qualification assessment model. |
|
4
|
Your overseas
qualification is equivalent to an Australian diploma (enrolled nurse) as a
minimum.
For more information on this criterion, please see Assessing your qualification: Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). |
|
5
|
Your program of
study included a minimum of 400 hours of professional experience placement*
providing exposure to a variety of healthcare settings.
*Definition of professional experience placement is taken from the 2009 Enrolled Nurse Accreditation Standards, and used with permission: ‘the component of nursing education that allows students to put theoretical knowledge into practice within the consumer care environment (adapted from Clare et al 2003 ‘clinical placement/practicum’). It includes, but is not limited to, the hospital setting, and may include general practice, remote and rural health clinics, and community care environments’. |
|
6
|
The curriculum of
your program of study focused on the various aspects of practice as an
enrolled nurse.
|
|
7
|
You successfully
completed all components of the program and have graduated with a
qualification.
|
|
8
|
The education institution that provided the program
of study, and confirmed your qualification, has certified that you have
successfully completed an assessment in medication management including:
·
administration of medications (including calculations),
·
pharmacokinetics (the study of the bodily absorption, distribution,
metabolism, and excretion of drugs) and
·
pharmacodynamics (the study of the biochemical and physiological
effects of drugs and the mechanisms of their action in the body).
As part of the
certification, the education institution must provide information that
clearly shows the medication management content you completed as part of the
program of study.
|
dkacademynurses@gmail.com
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