ANMAC Nursing Skills Assessment: Complete Guide
Updated: 25 June 2026
The ANMAC nursing skills assessment is the mandatory evaluation that confirms an overseas-trained nurse or midwife meets Australian education standards for skilled migration. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council assesses registered nurses, enrolled nurses, midwives, and nurse practitioners against their nominated ANZSCO occupation. A positive ANMAC outcome lets you claim points in SkillSelect and lodge a skilled visa application.
Independent guide — not a government service. Australian Visa Online is an independent information resource. We are not affiliated with the Australian Government, the Department of Home Affairs, ANMAC, or AHPRA. Always confirm current requirements with the official assessing authority before you apply.
Quick Facts: ANMAC Skills Assessment
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Assessing Authority | ANMAC — Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council |
| Occupations Covered | Registered Nurse, Enrolled Nurse, Midwife, Nurse Practitioner |
| Required For | Subclass 189, 190, 491, 482, 186, 494 (where nursing is nominated) |
| English Required | Yes — at the assessment stage |
| Validity | Typically 3 years from the date of the outcome letter |
| Separate From | AHPRA registration (needed to actually practise) |
For current fees and timeframes, see our Australian visa fees schedule and the visa processing times guide, and always confirm the latest figures directly with ANMAC.
What Is the ANMAC Skills Assessment?
ANMAC is the designated assessing authority for nursing and midwifery occupations under Australia's skilled migration program. Its skills assessment is an independent review of your qualifications, registration history, and (for some pathways) your practice, to determine whether your nursing or midwifery education is comparable to the Australian standard for your nominated occupation.
The assessment typically verifies:
- That your nursing or midwifery qualification is equivalent to the relevant Australian standard (for registered nurses, a Bachelor of Nursing or higher)
- That you hold, or have held, registration as a nurse or midwife in your home country
- That you meet English language requirements set by ANMAC
- That your education profile is comparable to an Australian-trained nurse or midwife in the same occupation
A positive outcome means you can claim points for that occupation in SkillSelect and proceed with your visa application. A negative outcome means you either address the gaps identified, complete bridging study, or consider a different pathway.
One critical distinction: the ANMAC skills assessment is for migration. It is separate from registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia via AHPRA, which is what allows you to work as a nurse or midwife once you arrive. Many applicants progress both processes in parallel, but they are different applications with different criteria.
Occupations ANMAC Assesses
ANMAC assesses the core nursing and midwifery occupations. Your nominated occupation determines which skilled occupation list applies and which visa subclasses are open to you. Confirm your code with our ANZSCO code finder before applying.
| Occupation | ANZSCO Code | Typical Qualification Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (and RN specialisations) | 254499 and related codes | Bachelor of Nursing or higher equivalent |
| Nurse Practitioner | 254411 | Master's-level advanced practice qualification |
| Midwife | 254111 | Bachelor of Midwifery or recognised equivalent |
| Enrolled Nurse | 411411 | Diploma-level enrolled nursing qualification |
Registered nurse roles are spread across multiple specialisation codes (for example aged care, critical care, medical, surgical, mental health, and others). The duties and education benchmark are broadly comparable across RN specialisations, but you nominate a single occupation. To check whether your nominated occupation is on the relevant list, see the Skilled Occupation List and the Core Skills Occupation List.
The ANMAC Assessment Process: Step by Step
1. Confirm Your Occupation and Pathway
Identify your ANZSCO occupation and confirm ANMAC is the assessing authority for it. Different nursing categories (registered nurse, enrolled nurse, midwife, nurse practitioner) may follow slightly different document and qualification requirements, so map yourself to the correct one first.
2. Gather Your Documents
ANMAC assessments are document-based. Strong, correctly formatted documentation is the single biggest factor in a smooth outcome. Prepare:
Qualifications
- Degree or diploma certificate (certified copy)
- Full academic transcript showing subjects, clinical hours, and grades
- Course completion or graduation evidence
Registration
- Current or past registration certificate from your home country's nursing/midwifery regulator
- Evidence of registration status (for example a letter of good standing, where required)
English
- Results from an accepted English test that meet ANMAC's required scores at the time you apply
Identity
- Certified copy of your passport
- Name-change documents (marriage certificate, deed poll) if your documents show different names
3. Submit Your Application
Apply through ANMAC's online portal. Complete the application form for your nominated occupation, upload all certified documents, and pay the assessment fee. Confirm the current fee directly with ANMAC and budget for it alongside certification and translation costs — see our visa fees schedule for how assessment costs fit into your overall migration budget.
4. Assessment and Verification
ANMAC reviews your documents and may verify your qualification and registration directly with your education provider and home regulator. They may request additional information. Respond promptly — outstanding requests are a common cause of delay.
5. Receive Your Outcome
- Positive: Your qualification and profile meet the Australian standard for your nominated occupation. You can use the outcome in your SkillSelect Expression of Interest and visa application.
- Negative or conditional: The outcome letter explains the gaps. Options may include providing further evidence, completing bridging study, or seeking review.
Document Requirements at a Glance
| Document Type | What ANMAC Looks For | Common Pitfall |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification certificate | Certified copy, matches nominated occupation | Uncertified or partial copies |
| Academic transcript | Full record incl. clinical/practical hours | Missing clinical hour breakdown |
| Registration evidence | Current/past registration in home country | Lapsed registration with no explanation |
| English results | Meets ANMAC's required scores, still valid | Expired test or band below threshold |
| Identity & name change | Consistent identity across all documents | Name mismatches with no supporting document |
| Translations | Certified translations of non-English documents | Informal or self-translated documents |
English Language Requirements
English is assessed at the ANMAC stage, not just at the visa stage — this catches many applicants off guard. Nursing and midwifery sit among the higher-bar professions for English (alongside teaching and social work). ANMAC accepts several recognised tests, and there are limited exemption pathways for applicants who studied or trained in English-speaking environments.
Because exact accepted tests and minimum scores change periodically, confirm the current requirements directly with ANMAC before booking a test. Budget preparation time: a single low band can require a full retest, which can add months to your timeline. For how English scores also affect your overall points, see the skills assessment complete guide.
ANMAC vs AHPRA Registration
These two processes are frequently confused. You generally need both, but for different reasons.
| ANMAC Skills Assessment | AHPRA Registration (NMBA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Migration — proves your qualification meets Australian standards | Practice — lets you legally work as a nurse/midwife |
| When needed | For your SkillSelect EOI and skilled visa | Before you start practising in Australia |
| Assesses | Education equivalence for your nominated occupation | Suitability and competence to register and practise |
| Outcome | Positive/negative skills assessment letter | Registration on the national register |
You typically need the ANMAC skills assessment for your visa and AHPRA registration to practise after arrival. Many applicants run both concurrently to save time, but a positive ANMAC outcome does not by itself authorise you to work — and AHPRA registration alone is not a substitute for the migration skills assessment.
How an ANMAC Outcome Feeds SkillSelect and Your Points
A positive ANMAC skills assessment is the key that unlocks the points-tested skilled visa pathway. Here is how it connects:
- Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect for your nominated nursing or midwifery occupation, with your positive ANMAC outcome recorded.
- Claim points for your skilled employment in the assessed occupation, along with age, English, qualifications, and any other applicable factors.
- Receive an invitation to apply if your points and occupation are competitive, then lodge your visa application within the invitation window.
- Keep your assessment valid: an ANMAC outcome is generally valid for around 3 years. It must be valid when you are invited and when you lodge — if you are in a long EOI queue, watch the expiry date.
Nursing skilled employment claims are tied to the occupation in your positive assessment, so make sure the occupation you nominate, the occupation you are assessed for, and the occupation you claim points under all match. For the full points-and-process picture, read the skills assessment complete guide.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Treating ANMAC and AHPRA as the Same Step
The most common nursing-specific error. They are separate applications with separate criteria. Plan for both from the start so neither becomes a bottleneck.
Underestimating the English Bar
Nursing requires English evidence at the assessment stage, often at a high level. Sit your test early and leave time for a possible retest before your assessment deadline.
Incomplete Transcripts
Nursing and midwifery transcripts must usually show clinical and practical hours, not just theory subjects. A transcript missing this detail can stall the assessment while ANMAC seeks more evidence.
Letting the Assessment Lapse
A positive outcome typically lasts about three years. If you sit in the EOI queue too long, an expired assessment can derail an otherwise strong application — track the date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What occupations does the ANMAC skills assessment cover?
ANMAC assesses nursing and midwifery occupations for skilled migration: registered nurses (across their specialisation codes), enrolled nurses, midwives, and nurse practitioners. Your nominated ANZSCO occupation determines which skilled occupation list and visa subclasses apply. Confirm your code with our ANZSCO code finder before you start.
Is the ANMAC skills assessment the same as AHPRA registration?
No. The ANMAC skills assessment is for migration — it proves your qualification meets the Australian standard so you can claim points and lodge a visa. AHPRA registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia is what lets you legally practise as a nurse or midwife. You generally need both, and many applicants run them in parallel.
Do I need an English test for the ANMAC assessment?
Yes. Unlike some other assessing authorities, ANMAC requires English evidence at the assessment stage, typically at a high level. There are limited exemptions for applicants who trained or practised in recognised English-speaking settings. Always confirm the currently accepted tests and minimum scores directly with ANMAC, because they are updated periodically.
How long is an ANMAC skills assessment valid?
An ANMAC outcome is generally valid for around three years from the date of the outcome letter. It must be valid both when you are invited to apply and when you lodge your visa application. If you expect a long wait in the SkillSelect queue, monitor the expiry date so it does not lapse at a critical moment.
Can I get an ANMAC assessment from outside Australia?
Yes. The ANMAC nursing and midwifery skills assessment is document-based and can be completed from overseas. You do not need to be in Australia to apply. You will, however, need certified copies of your qualification, registration, and identity documents, plus certified translations of any documents not in English.
How does a positive ANMAC assessment help my migration application?
A positive ANMAC outcome lets you nominate your nursing or midwifery occupation in a SkillSelect Expression of Interest and claim points for skilled employment in that occupation. Combined with points for age, English, and qualifications, it can lead to an invitation to apply for a points-tested skilled visa. See our skills assessment complete guide for the full points picture.
What if my ANMAC assessment outcome is negative?
A negative outcome is not necessarily the end. The outcome letter explains the gaps — for example a qualification not assessed as equivalent, missing clinical hours, or English below the threshold. Options can include providing additional evidence, completing bridging study to meet the Australian standard, or seeking review through ANMAC's process. Confirm the available pathways directly with ANMAC.
