Nursing in Australia for Nepali Nurses — AHPRA, 189 Visa & Salary 2026

Requirements overview

Step-by-step: how to work as a nurse in Australia

1. 1

   Why Australia is ideal for Nepali nurses seeking PR

   Australia's 189 and 190 visas grant permanent residency without requiring an employer sponsor — unlike the USA's EB-3. This gives Nepali nurses independence to work for any Australian employer from day one of arrival. Registered nurses (ANZSCO 254411) are on Australia's Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). This means nursing qualifies for the independent 189 visa — no state sponsorship required if your points score is competitive. Australia offers strong work-life balance: nurses work a maximum 38-hour week, earn 4 weeks annual leave, and have access to Australia's universal healthcare (Medicare). Regional areas offer accelerated state nomination and faster PR pathways.

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2. 2

   ANMAC skills assessment — the gateway to AHPRA

   ANMAC (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council) assesses whether your Nepal nursing qualification meets Australian standards. You must submit your nursing diploma or BN degree, official transcripts, proof of registration with Nepal Nursing Council, and a positive English result. ANMAC assesses: duration of programme (Nepal PCL is 3 years, BN is 4 years — both assessed), clinical hours, curriculum match against Australian nursing standards. A positive assessment is valid for 3 years. Fee: AUD 480. Processing: 6–10 weeks. If ANMAC finds gaps (common for Nepal PCL diploma holders), they may issue a conditional positive requiring completion of additional clinical hours or modules in Australia. BN degree holders from accredited Nepal programmes typically receive an unconditional positive.

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3. 3

   AHPRA registration for overseas nurses

   With a positive ANMAC assessment and an English result meeting AHPRA's requirements, apply for registration as a Registered Nurse with AHPRA. AHPRA registration is national — once registered, you can work as an RN in any Australian state or territory. AHPRA may grant registration with conditions (supervised practice) if they identify gaps. Your employer provides the supervision, and full unrestricted registration is granted on completion. Most Nepali BN graduates receive unrestricted AHPRA registration. Registration fee: AUD 190 initial application + AUD 243 annual renewal. AHPRA registration is renewable every year by 31 May. English proof accepted: IELTS 7.0 (no band below 7.0) or OET Grade B in all four skills.

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4. 4

   OET vs IELTS — which should Nepali nurses choose for Australia?

   Both OET Grade B and IELTS Academic 7.0 (no band below 7.0) are accepted by AHPRA. The choice depends on your test-taking strengths. OET uses healthcare scenarios (patient case notes, referral letters, patient consultations) — making it more familiar for practising nurses. IELTS uses general academic topics. The IELTS 7.0 requirement with no band below 7.0 is strict: many Nepali nurses who score 7.0 overall fail due to one band (typically Writing or Speaking) below 7.0. OET's Grade B threshold is more consistent — nurses with good English typically pass all four skills at Grade B. OET is available in Kathmandu (IDP Pearson centres). IELTS is available at British Council and IDP Nepal. OET costs approximately NPR 38,000 vs IELTS NPR 28,000–31,000 — but OET candidates often need fewer retakes. Read the full comparison: /blog/ielts-vs-oet-nurses-nepal.

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5. 5

   189/190 visa points score — what you need

   The 189 (independent) and 190 (state-nominated) visas are points-based. Minimum to apply: 65 points. Invitation to Apply (ITA) in SkillSelect: typically 80–90 points for the 189; 70–80 for the 190. Points breakdown for a typical Nepali nurse (30 years old): Age (30–32 years): 30 points. English (competent = IELTS 7.0): 0; Proficient (8.0+): 10; Superior (superior OET): 20. Work experience: 3+ years = 5 points; 8+ years = 15 points. Australian study: 5 points if studying in Australia. State nomination (190): 5 extra points. Australian relatives: 10 points if applicable. A 30-year-old Nepali nurse with 5 years experience and IELTS 7.0 scores 65 points — borderline. With IELTS 8.0+ or OET A (superior English): 75 points — competitive for 190. Add state nomination: 80 points — competitive for 189 in most rounds.

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Frequently asked questions