Nursing Occupations Assessed By ANMAC

The nursing occupations assessed via ANMAC Skills Assessment are:

• Nurse Practitioner (ANZSCO code 254411)
• Midwife (254111)
• Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (254412)
• Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) (254413)
• Registered Nurse (Community Health) (254414)
• Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) (254415)
• Registered Nurse (Development Disability) (254416)
• Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation) (254417)
• Registered Nurse (Medical) (254418)
• Registered Nurse (Medical Pratice) (254421)
• Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422)
• Registered Nurse (Perioperative) (254423)
• Registered Nurse (Surgical) (254424)
• Registered Nurse not elsewhere classified (254499)
• Enrolled Nurse (411411)
• Nursing Clinical Director (134212)

Decoding ANMAC’s Three Assessment Streams

Depending on your professional history and current registration status, you’ll apply for one of three ANMAC assessment streams. Each pathway has specific eligibility criteria and documentation requirements.

Full Skills Assessment

This stream is ideal for nurses or midwives trained overseas who do not hold current registration in Australia or New Zealand. If you fall into this category, you must submit valid English test scores (IELTS, OET, PTE Academic, or TOEFL iBT) unless you already possess Australian or New Zealand registration. Nurses from the UK, Ireland, Canada, Hong Kong, or the US who lack AHPRA registration typically fall under this assessment type.

Modified Skills Assessment

The Modified Skills Assessment applies to those who are already registered with AHPRA or the New Zealand Nursing Council. If your local registration is active, you’re exempt from submitting English language test scores, since you’ve already demonstrated the necessary language proficiency. This pathway is generally more straightforward because your existing registration confirms you meet key professional standards.

Modified PLUS Skills Assessment

This stream serves candidates who have been granted “in-principle” approval from AHPRA but need to finalize their registration in person upon arrival in Australia. Given that AHPRA has already vetted your language competency, you don’t need to submit additional English test scores. This option bridges the gap for nurses awaiting their full registration after satisfying most Australian requirements from abroad.

Meeting the English Proficiency Benchmark

Internationally qualified nurses and midwives often cite English testing as one of the toughest hurdles. ANMAC enforces exacting language standards, reflecting the reality that nursing professionals must communicate effectively under pressure.

Accepted Exams (one type only, no mixing):

• IELTS (Academic): 7.0 overall, with at least 7.0 in each band.
• OET (Nursing): Minimum grade of B across all sub-tests.
• PTE Academic: Overall 65, with no individual score below 65.
• TOEFL iBT: At least 94 overall, meeting specific sub-score requirements (e.g., 24 in Listening).

Each test’s validity period is generally two years, though your results must be current on the day you submit your application. If you qualify for the Modified or Modified PLUS pathways, additional English evidence may not be required.