ANMAC Skills Assessment — Nurses & Midwives
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) is the assessing authority for nursing and midwifery occupations under the General Skilled Migration program. ANMAC's positive skills assessment is required to claim points and lodge an EOI for the 189 / 190 / 491 in a nursing or midwifery occupation.
MARN 1576536
WIDEN does not assist with the ANMAC skills assessment or AHPRA registration in any way. ANMAC + AHPRA are also separate from each other — ANMAC assesses migration skills, AHPRA (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia) registers you to practise. Both processes are entirely outside WIDEN's role. WIDEN provides migration advice — visa subclass, points test, EOI, sponsorship pathways — that uses the ANMAC outcome but is separate from it.
Occupations ANMAC assesses
- Registered Nurse (ANZSCO 254xxx — multiple subspecialties)
- Midwife
- Nurse Practitioner
- Enrolled Nurse (where eligible for the relevant visa subclass)
English language
Both ANMAC and AHPRA expect strong English. AHPRA accepts OET, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, and Cambridge English (C1 Advanced) with minimums published on the AHPRA website. Migration English requirements (for points and visa grant) are assessed separately by the Department of Home Affairs. Verify current required scores directly with each body.
Evidence checklist
- Nursing / midwifery qualification(s) — degree certificate(s) and full academic transcript(s)
- Current and previous professional registrations in country of qualification
- Employment evidence — references on letterhead with dates, hours, ward / scope
- Identity documents (passport bio page)
- English test results (OET / IELTS Academic / equivalent)
- Any bridging or refresher course completion certificates
Frequently asked questions
Who does ANMAC assess?
ANMAC is the assessing authority for migration purposes for Registered Nurses (RN), Midwives, Nurse Practitioners, and Enrolled Nurses (where eligible). ANMAC also assesses whether your overseas nursing qualification and registration is comparable to Australian standards for migration purposes.
Do I need AHPRA registration before ANMAC?
AHPRA (the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia regulator) and ANMAC are separate processes. To work as a registered nurse in Australia you need AHPRA registration. ANMAC's migration skills assessment is required for the visa points test and skilled visa pathway. In practice many applicants progress both — AHPRA registration is often a prerequisite for the ANMAC assessment outcome being useful for actual employment. The exact sequence and requirements depend on your background and pathway — check the current published requirements.
What English level does ANMAC require?
ANMAC and AHPRA both have English requirements. AHPRA accepts OET, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, and Cambridge English C1 Advanced, with minimum scores published on the AHPRA website. Migration English requirements for points and visa grant are separate and assessed by the Department of Home Affairs. Verify the current required scores with the relevant body before booking a test.
How much does an ANMAC assessment cost?
ANMAC publishes current fees on its website. Standard skills assessment for migration purposes is typically in the mid-hundreds AUD. Additional services (priority processing, qualification comparability assessments, etc.) carry separate fees. Verify the current fee with ANMAC before lodging.
How long does an ANMAC assessment take?
ANMAC publishes current processing times on its website. Plan for several weeks at minimum, with longer timeframes for complex cases or where additional documentation is requested. Allow generous lead time when planning EOI lodgement.
What evidence does ANMAC need?
Nursing qualifications and transcripts, professional registration in your country of qualification (where applicable), employment evidence, identity documents, and English test results. ANMAC's published checklist is the authoritative source — follow it exactly to avoid delays.
What if my nursing qualification is not directly comparable?
ANMAC may issue a not-comparable outcome or require bridging study (such as an Initial Registration for Overseas Nurses — IRON program) before recognition. The right response depends on the specific reasons given. AHPRA may also have its own bridging requirements separate from ANMAC. Plan for the possibility that bridging requirements may apply.
Speak with WIDEN
Related
- Sponsor healthcare workers (employer-side)
- Aged care worker sponsorship (ACILA)
- Skills assessment authorities — overview
General information only. Fees, processing times, and eligibility criteria for ANMAC change. Verify current details at www.anmac.org.au before relying on this page.
This page does not constitute migration advice (s 23, Migration Agents Code of Conduct 2022). WIDEN does not issue skills assessments — ANMAC does. Migration advice is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) only after a paid initial consultation under section 43 of the Code, with a written service agreement issued before further work commences (section 42). The OMARA Consumer Guide is provided to all clients before the consultation begins. Outcomes cannot be guaranteed by any registered migration agent (s 15). PI insurance held under the Migration Agents Regulations 1998. Complaints via our Complaints Policy or directly to OMARA.