Enrolled Nurse Visa Pathway Australia

Australia classifies the Enrolled Nurse occupation under ANZSCO 411411. ANMAC conducts the migration skills assessment and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (via AHPRA) handles registration. The occupation sits on the STSOL and the Core Skills Occupation List, unlocking subclasses 190, 491, 494, 482 and 186. Typical 2026 salaries range AUD $65,000-$85,000 (SEEK, April 2026).

Quick Facts: Enrolled Nurse Migration Pathway

Role Context in Australia

Enrolled Nurses (ENs) work alongside Registered Nurses across hospitals, aged care facilities, community health services, and primary care clinics. The Enrolled Nurse provides direct patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, dispenses medications where the qualification includes the medicines administration unit, monitors vital signs, and documents clinical observations. The role is regulated and protected by title under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law.

Demand for ENs is driven by an ageing population, the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and persistent shortages across regional and aged care settings. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Journal flagged a projected shortfall of over 70,000 nurses by 2035, and Jobs and Skills Australia continues to list nursing roles among the country's most acute shortage occupations. New South Wales added Enrolled Nurse to its 190 nomination list in 2025, and Victoria has prioritised health occupations across both 190 and 491 streams for 2025-26.

ANZSCO Code Mapping

ANZSCO 411411 covers practitioners who provide nursing care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia's standards for practice. The code applies to nurses who hold a Diploma of Nursing (or assessed equivalent) and who are registered, or eligible for registration, as an Enrolled Nurse with the NMBA.

The code is distinct from 254424 Registered Nurse (Surgical) and similar Skill Level 1 nursing codes — applicants holding a Bachelor of Nursing qualification should map to the appropriate Registered Nurse ANZSCO code, not 411411. If your overseas qualification sits at degree level but your scope of practice in Australia would be at EN level, you must hold an EN-level qualification or assessment for ANMAC's purposes; the body assesses against the Australian EN standard, not against your home country's title.

Skills Assessment

ANMAC Assessment (for migration)

ANMAC is the assessing authority for nurses and midwives applying for skilled migration. The skills assessment confirms that an applicant's qualification and English meet the migration standard. ANMAC does not register you to practise — that is AHPRA's role.

Requirements:

• Diploma of Nursing or assessed equivalent (the Australian benchmark for Enrolled Nurses)
• English that meets the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia's English language skills registration standard
• Identity documents, qualification transcripts, registration evidence from your home country

Assessment cost: AUD595 for a full skills assessment (AUD395 modified, AUD545 direct care).

Processing time: ANMAC does not publish a fixed processing time. It says processing times vary, so allow for this in your plans.

Common rejection reasons: Submitting an outcome notice from your home regulator rather than a current registration certificate; English test results outside the two-year validity window; missing evidence of a clinical placement component in the underpinning qualification.

AHPRA Registration (for practice)

A skills assessment does not let you work. To practise as an EN in Australia, you must hold registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, administered by AHPRA. This is a separate process running in parallel with — not after — your ANMAC application.

International applicants apply through the standard AHPRA international pathway. Documentation includes verified qualifications, registration history (including any conditions or undertakings), a criminal history check covering every country lived in for six months or more since age 18, and English evidence. AHPRA charges separate application and annual registration fees. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia fee schedule (effective 9 October 2026) lists a national application fee for general registration of AUD346 and a registration fee for general registration of AUD201.

AHPRA sets its own timeframes for international registration, and faster pathways exist for nurses from comparable jurisdictions including the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Canada (British Columbia and Ontario), Singapore, and Spain. Start your AHPRA application early — visa nomination from most states requires evidence of, or eligibility for, NMBA registration.

For a fuller view of the assessing landscape, see the skills assessment bodies complete list.

Visa Pathways for Enrolled Nurses

Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated Visa

The 190 is the dominant permanent pathway for ENs because it requires state nomination, which most healthcare-priority states will grant when shortage data supports it.

• Visa fee: AUD6,140 for the main applicant
• Points boost: +5 from state nomination
• Processing time: 50% of applications processed within 4 months and 90% within 16 months
• Obligation: Live and work in the nominating state for 2 years
• Reality: NSW added Enrolled Nurse to its 190 list in late 2025 — a significant unlock for offshore applicants

Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)

The 491 carries 15 nomination points and a five-year provisional period with a pathway to PR via the subclass 191 after three years of regional residence and income compliance.

• Visa fee: AUD6,140 for the main applicant
• Points boost: +15 from regional nomination
• Processing time: State or territory nominated: 50% of applications processed within 5 months and 90% within 18 months
• Strategy note: South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia treat their entire state as regional, which broadens employer reach

Home Affairs also lists Enrolled Nurse for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) visa, an employer-sponsored regional visa (AUD6,140 for the main applicant).

Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand

The 482 is the employer-sponsored route, common for offshore ENs already holding a job offer with an Australian sponsor. Enrolled Nurse sits on the Core Skills Occupation List, so the Core Skills stream applies.

• Visa fee: AUD4,015 for the main applicant
• Core Skills Income Threshold: AUD79,423 (from 1 July 2026)
• Processing time: Core Skills stream: 50% of applications processed within 4 months and 90% within 9 months; Specialist Skills stream: 50% of applications processed within 37 days and 90% within 78 days
• Duration: Up to 4 years; pathway to PR via subclass 186 TRT after 2 years

The salary threshold matters. Many Enrolled Nurse award rates and metro public-sector pay schedules sit close to the Core Skills threshold — applicants need a job offer at or above the threshold, with paid hours that support it.

Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination Scheme

Permanent residency through employer sponsorship, available in Direct Entry or Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) streams.

• Visa fee: AUD6,140 for the main applicant
• Processing time: Direct Entry stream: 50% of applications processed within 21 months and 90% within 25 months; Temporary Residence Transition stream: 50% of applications processed within 21 months and 90% within 25 months
• Skilling Australians Fund levy: Paid by the employer, AUD $3,000-$5,000 depending on business size

For ENs already onshore on a 482, the TRT pathway to PR after two years is well-trodden. See the Core Skills Occupation List page for the full eligible-visa matrix.

Points Test Strategy

A typical 190 invitation for Enrolled Nurse clears around 70-85 points including the +5 nomination boost. Compare with the 90+ points common for ICT — nursing remains one of the more accessible nomination pathways for offshore applicants.

Realistic Scenarios

Scenario 1 — Offshore Filipino EN, 29, IELTS 7.0, 5 years experience: Age 30 + English 10 + Diploma 10 + Overseas Experience 10 + 190 nomination 5 = 65 points. Add a competent English partner (+5) or push English to Superior (+10 swap) to reach 75-80 points — competitive for invitation in priority states.

Scenario 2 — Onshore EN, 33, Proficient English, Bachelor's degree, 1 year Australian experience: Age 25 + English 10 + Bachelor 15 + Australian Experience 5 + 491 nomination 15 = 70 points. Regional 491 invitations have cleared at this band in 2025-26 for shortage occupations.

State Nomination for Enrolled Nurses

New South Wales

NSW added Enrolled Nurse to its 190 list in late 2025, ending years of pent-up demand from offshore applicants. The state allocated 2,100 places for subclass 190 and 1,500 for subclass 491 in 2025-26. NSW Health is the largest employer, and demand sits highest in aged care, mental health, and regional public hospitals. Applicants register an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect and a separate Registration of Interest through NSW.

Victoria

Victoria does not publish a separate state occupation list — it accepts occupations on the national skilled lists used for the 190 and 491 (the MLTSSL, STSOL and ROL), subject to the state's priority criteria. Health is the top priority sector for 2025-26 and Registered/Enrolled Nurses received the largest share of invitations under the previous program year. Approximately 2,700 places for 190 and 700 for 491 are allocated. Onshore applicants currently working in health are favoured; offshore applicants compete on points and experience depth.

Queensland

Queensland has allocated 1,850 places for 190 and 750 for 491 in 2025-26. Nursing roles feature prominently across both lists. Onshore 190 nomination requires at least 9 months of recent onshore experience in the nominated occupation at 20 hours per week; 491 requires 6 months. Regional Queensland (anything outside greater Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast for 491 purposes) carries lower competition.

South Australia

The entire state is classified regional for 491 purposes — a major advantage for ENs. South Australia includes nursing in its skilled occupation list and offers tailored streams for offshore applicants in highest-demand health roles. Check the current state list before lodging — South Australia updates its program in waves.

Salary and Employment Outlook

What Enrolled Nurses Earn in 2026

SEEK puts the all-Australia average between $65,000 and $75,000 as of April 2026. Total packages include superannuation at 12%, penalty rates for nights, weekends and public holidays, and remote-area allowances in some jurisdictions. Aged Care Award and Nurses Award rates set the floor; enterprise agreements in NSW and Victoria public health systems lift base pay above award.

Highest-Paying Sectors

• Regional and remote public health — Royal Flying Doctor Service, NT Health, WA Country Health carry significant allowances
• Mining and resources health — fly-in fly-out occupational health roles
• Aged care providers — penalty-rate loaded shifts can lift annual earnings significantly
• Mental health units — additional shift loading and specialist allowances
• Defence Force Nursing Officers (EN equivalent roles) — military pay and conditions

Tips for a Successful Application

1. Run ANMAC and AHPRA in parallel, not in sequence

The two processes are independent. Waiting for ANMAC to finish before starting AHPRA adds months to your timeline. Lodge both as soon as your qualifications, English, and identity documents are ready.

2. Confirm your qualification maps to EN, not RN

ANMAC assesses to the Australian standard. A foreign Bachelor of Nursing does not automatically map to Enrolled Nurse — and may map to a Registered Nurse ANZSCO code with a different points outcome and assessing pathway. Confirm with ANMAC before paying.

3. Get English to Superior if you can

Moving from Proficient (10 points) to Superior (20 points) is often the single most cost-effective points lever for offshore ENs. Check the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia's English language skills registration standard for the tests it accepts, and aim for Superior English (IELTS 8 in each band, or equivalent).

4. Target priority states early

NSW's 2025 addition of Enrolled Nurse to its 190 list reshaped the market. Lodge an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect immediately on receiving your ANMAC outcome, then file a Registration of Interest in each priority state you qualify for.

5. Document recent practice hours carefully

NMBA recency-of-practice requires 450 hours within the last five years. Gaps in practice will trigger return-to-practice requirements at registration stage. Compile signed letters from employers for every period of EN-equivalent work — this evidence supports both ANMAC and AHPRA.

Step-by-Step Migration Roadmap

1. Confirm your occupation — verify Enrolled Nurse 411411 fits your qualification and scope using the ANZSCO code finder
2. Sit an approved English test — IELTS Academic, OET, PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT
3. Lodge AHPRA international application — the long-tail process, start early
4. Lodge ANMAC skills assessment — Modified ($395), Direct Care ($545) or Full ($595)
5. Receive ANMAC outcome and AHPRA registration in principle
6. Submit Expression of Interest in SkillSelect — for 190 or 491 (Home Affairs does not list Enrolled Nurse for the 189)
7. Apply for state nomination — NSW, VIC, QLD, SA depending on circumstances
8. Alternatively, secure an employer sponsor — 482 Core Skills stream
9. Receive invitation and lodge the visa application — within 60 days
10. Complete health checks (medicals), police clearances, character requirements
11. Receive visa grant; finalise AHPRA registration before first shift
12. Move to nominating state and begin practice

For broader visa context, see the most in-demand occupations for 2026 and the Core Skills Occupation List page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my overseas nursing qualification be assessed as an Enrolled Nurse if my title back home is "Registered Nurse"?

Possibly. ANMAC assesses against the Australian Enrolled Nurse standard, which is anchored in the Australian Qualifications Framework Diploma. If your overseas qualification is below degree level — for example, a three-year diploma — assessment as an EN may suit. If your qualification is a full Bachelor of Nursing, you should typically pursue Registered Nurse assessment, not EN, because RN attracts higher points and broader visa options.

Is the 482 a viable pathway if my employer's job offer doesn't quite hit the salary threshold?

The Core Skills Income Threshold is AUD79,423 (from 1 July 2026). A nomination below that figure cannot be approved. Negotiate before signing — base salary plus guaranteed shift loadings sometimes lift total guaranteed earnings above the threshold. Some employers structure offers around an "annualised salary" that bundles penalty rates; that arrangement needs to be tested against Home Affairs guidance.

How long is the total ANMAC plus AHPRA timeline?

Run them in parallel. AHPRA is usually faster for nurses from comparable jurisdictions on a streamlined pathway. ANMAC does not publish a fixed processing time. Plan for several months before you can lodge a visa application with everything ready.

Are paramedics and assistants-in-nursing assessed under the same code?

No. Paramedics fall under their own codes, such as ANZSCO 411111 Ambulance Officer and 411112 Intensive Care Ambulance Paramedic. Assistants-in-nursing are not separately classified for skilled migration purposes and typically don't reach Skill Level 2 — their migration options are very limited.

What's the demand outlook for Enrolled Nurses in Australia through 2030?

Strong. The combination of an ageing population, NDIS-driven community health demand, and chronic public hospital workforce shortages keeps EN demand high across every state. NSW's addition of EN to its 190 list in 2025 signals state-level recognition of the gap. Provided the points settings hold steady, Enrolled Nurse is among the more accessible pathways to Australian PR for 2026 and 2027.