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Nurses working in Australia from overseas: Ahpra and NMBA registration

To work as a nurse in Australia you must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) through Ahpra. Registration is separate from any visa or sponsor. Internationally qualified nurses complete a self-check and any required assessment stages first. CrossNation matches registered or registration-ready nurses with employers but cannot assess your registration.

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By CrossNation Editorial Team. Sources checked 4 October 2026.

Official data

Key facts from official sources

Job seeker guide

What you need to know

Start with the Board's self-check

The NMBA says internationally qualified nurses and midwives who successfully complete the self-check and any required assessment stages become eligible to apply for registration, and the application form is made available in your candidate dashboard only at that point. Set up your Ahpra portal and work through the stages in order. The Board, not an employer or a recruiter, decides your registration, and your path depends on your qualification and where you have been registered.

Is there a quicker route for some registered nurses?

The NMBA publishes a standard that streamlines assessment and registration for eligible internationally qualified registered nurses who have registered and practised as registered nurses in an NMBA-approved comparable international jurisdiction. If you think you are in that group, read the standard on the Board's website and check the list of approved jurisdictions. Do not assume you qualify until you have checked, and do not pay anyone who claims to guarantee your registration.

Registration, the job offer and the visa

Employers who sponsor nurses will want to know where you are in your registration. Be honest about it. A nurse who has not yet finished registration can still be a good match for a role, but the employer will plan around the Board's process and the visa process, and you should not resign from your current job or book travel until registration and the visa are both settled. Ask a registered migration agent how your occupation, registration and salary fit the sponsorship rules.

What to prepare for a recruiter

Have your qualifications, registration history, English language test results and a current CV ready, along with the regions and settings you would consider. Aged care, hospitals and community nursing work differently, so tell us which you prefer. We will discuss roles with you when an employer is looking for your profile. We do not promise interviews, offers or registration outcomes.

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These counts are live from the CrossNation job board. A listing is not a job offer, and it does not mean the employer sponsors visas. Ask about sponsorship before you rely on a role.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can CrossNation register me as a nurse?

No. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia decides registration through Ahpra.

Can I start work before I am registered?

The NMBA says you must be registered before working as a nurse or midwife. Ask the Board about any other kinds of role.

Does registration guarantee a sponsored visa?

No. Registration and the visa are separate decisions.

Do I need to be registered before I register with CrossNation?

No. Tell us where you are in the process and we will discuss roles that suit your position.

Which jurisdictions count as comparable?

The NMBA publishes the approved list on its registration standard page.

Related

Sources (accessed 4 October 2026)