Migrate by occupation / Registered Nurse (Medical)
MLTSSLMigrate to Australia as a nurse
Nursing is the most reliable skilled occupation in Australia. Every state and territory nominates registered nurses, regional shortages are acute, and the occupation sits on the MLTSSL so all the main visas are open to you. The catch is not migration - it is AHPRA registration, which runs on its own timeline and is the real bottleneck for overseas-trained nurses.
The essentials
- Occupation
- Registered Nurse (Medical)
- ANZSCO code
- 254418
- Occupation list
- MLTSSL — Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List
- Visas it supports
- Subclass 189, 190, 491, 485
- Assessed by
- ANMAC
- Assessment cost
- around AUD 500 and up depending on stream
- Assessment time
- typically 8 to 12 weeks
Which visas actually fit
Your skills assessment
Before you can apply for any skilled visa as a nurse, ANMAC must assess your skills. They generally need:
- A nursing or midwifery qualification recognised for registration purposes.
- Evidence of registration in your home country and, where required, AHPRA registration or eligibility.
- An English test result meeting the standard for registration.
A positive ANMAC assessment does not let you work as a nurse in Australia. Registration with AHPRA is a separate process with its own English requirements and, for many overseas-qualified nurses, a bridging program. Plan both timelines together or you will arrive with a visa and no ability to practise.
Where nurses are nominated
Every state and territory nominates health occupations, and several give them priority or concessional treatment. This is the category where regional programs are most welcoming.
Registered migration agents
We are building a directory of MARN-registered agents and immigration lawyers. Listings are checked against the public register before they appear.
How the directory worksPlacement shown on the nurse migration page.