How Nurses Can Migrate to Australia: The Complete 2025 Guide

Australia's Nursing Shortage is Your Opportunity

Australia is experiencing a significant nursing shortage. The Australian government has placed nursing on the priority skills list, creating excellent migration opportunities for qualified nurses from Africa and beyond.

Step 1: ANMAC Skills Assessment

The first step is obtaining a positive skills assessment from ANMAC (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council).

Requirements:

• •Registered Nurse qualification (minimum 3-year program)
• •Registration with your country's nursing council
• •English language proficiency (OET Grade B or IELTS Academic 7.0 in all bands)
• •Evidence of clinical practice

Step 2: AHPRA Registration

Once you have a visa and are in Australia, you must register with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) before you can practise as a nurse.

Step 3: Choose Your Visa Pathway

Option A: Employer Sponsored (482 Visa)

The fastest path. Find an Australian hospital or healthcare facility willing to sponsor you. We work with healthcare employers across Australia.

Option B: Skilled Migration (189/190)

If you meet the points threshold (typically 80+ for nurses in competitive rounds), you can apply for permanent residency directly.

Option C: State Nomination (190/491)

Several states actively nominate nurses. South Australia, Western Australia, and regional areas have strong demand.

English Requirements for Nurses

Nurses face stricter English requirements than most other occupations:

• •IELTS Academic: 7.0 in each band (not overall)
• •OET: Grade B in each component
• •PTE Academic: 65 in each component

Typical Timeline

From starting your ANMAC application to having an Australian visa: typically 12–18 months.

Real Success Story

*"I was a nurse in Lagos working in a government hospital. Within 18 months of contacting Afrovo, I was working as an RN in Brisbane earning more in one week than I had earned in a month in Nigeria."* — Fatima A., Brisbane.

Next Steps

Book a free nursing migration assessment with Afrovo today. We have helped over 50 Nigerian nurses successfully migrate to Australia.