Understanding the Role of AHPRA (NMBA) vs ANMAC: What Every Migrating Nurse Needs to Know
If you’re an internationally qualified nurse planning to migrate to Australia, two acronyms will come up repeatedly during your research: AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) and ANMAC (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council). Each of these organisations plays a critical role in the migration and registration process for nurses, but their functions are distinct and can be confusing for those unfamiliar with the Australian healthcare system.
In this blog, we will break down the role of AHPRA and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), as well as that of ANMAC, to clarify how each contributes to your journey to becoming a registered nurse in Australia. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for navigating your way through the migration process successfully.
What is AHPRA and the NMBA?
AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) is the national organisation responsible for the regulation and registration of health practitioners in Australia. AHPRA works in partnership with the National Boards of various health professions, including the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), to ensure that only suitably trained and qualified professionals are allowed to practise in the country. The goal is to protect public health and safety by maintaining high standards in healthcare.
AHPRA’s Role in Nursing Registration
For nurses, AHPRA manages the application process for registration and sets the standards and guidelines that all nurses must meet to practise in Australia. When you apply for registration, AHPRA acts as the gateway to the healthcare system. If you’re an internationally qualified nurse, AHPRA will assess your qualifications, skills, and experience to determine if you meet the Australian standards for nursing.
Here’s a breakdown of AHPRA’s main responsibilities for nurses:
Managing Registration: AHPRA processes your application for registration as a nurse or midwife. Once approved, you can legally work in Australia.
Setting Standards: The NMBA, under AHPRA, sets the standards for practice, codes of conduct, and competency guidelines that all nurses and midwives must follow in Australia.
Ensuring Compliance: AHPRA ensures that nurses adhere to the professional standards and, if necessary, investigates complaints and takes disciplinary action if practitioners fail to meet these standards.
Professional Regulation: AHPRA handles the registration renewal process and ensures that all nurses continue to meet the standards set by the NMBA throughout their careers.
What to Expect During the AHPRA Registration Process
For internationally qualified nurses, the AHPRA registration process is the gateway to legally practising as a nurse in Australia. This process is complex and includes verifying your identity, qualifications, and English language proficiency. It’s also important to note that some internationally trained nurses may need to complete additional exams, such as the NCLEX or OSCE, depending on their qualifications and the country where they were trained.
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) operates under the umbrella of AHPRA and is responsible for regulating nurses and midwives in Australia. It ensures that all nurses and midwives meet the standards necessary to provide safe and high-quality care to patients. The NMBA sets the professional standards, codes of conduct, and competencies that all nurses and midwives must adhere to while practising in Australia.
NMBA’s primary roles include:
Setting Registration Standards: The NMBA develops the registration standards that nurses and midwives must meet to practise in Australia. This includes English language requirements, professional indemnity insurance, and recency of practice.
Issuing Guidelines and Codes of Conduct: The NMBA provides clear guidelines and codes of conduct that ensure safe and ethical practice for nurses and midwives across Australia.
Ongoing Regulation: The NMBA is involved in the ongoing regulation of nursing practice. It works with AHPRA to investigate complaints and, when necessary, discipline practitioners who fail to meet professional standards.
What is ANMAC?
While AHPRA and the NMBA regulate and register nurses, ANMAC (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council) is the independent body responsible for assessing the skills of internationally qualified nurses and midwives who want to migrate to Australia. ANMAC’s role is distinct from AHPRA’s: ANMAC assesses whether you have the skills and qualifications necessary to migrate to Australia as a skilled worker.
ANMAC’s Role in the Skills Assessment Process
ANMAC’s primary responsibility is to conduct skills assessments for internationally qualified nurses and midwives who wish to migrate under Australia’s skilled migration program. The skills assessment is a crucial step in the General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa process, which includes visa subclasses such as the 189 (Skilled Independent Visa), 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa), and 491 (Skilled Work Regional Visa).
Here’s a breakdown of ANMAC’s main responsibilities for nurses:
Skills Assessment: ANMAC reviews your qualifications, work experience, and professional references to determine whether your skills meet Australian standards. This assessment is necessary for your visa application but does not grant you permission to work as a nurse in Australia—only AHPRA registration allows you to practise.
Verification of Qualifications: ANMAC verifies your nursing qualifications, ensuring that your education meets the standards for safe and competent practice in Australia.
Assessing Work Experience: ANMAC looks at your work history to assess whether your experience is equivalent to what is required for nurses in Australia. Your skills must align with the standards set by the NMBA for your occupation.
What to Expect During the ANMAC Skills Assessment
The ANMAC skills assessment process involves several steps, starting with submitting your application online. You’ll need to provide various documents, including proof of identity, qualifications, and employment history. ANMAC will then verify your qualifications and assess whether your skills meet Australian standards.
It’s essential to understand that ANMAC does not provide registration to practise as a nurse in Australia—only AHPRA can do that. The ANMAC assessment is specifically for visa purposes. Therefore, even after a successful skills assessment, you will still need to apply separately to AHPRA for registration before you can work as a nurse.
AHPRA (NMBA) vs ANMAC: Understanding the Differences
Although both AHPRA and ANMAC are critical to your migration and registration process, they serve distinct purposes:
AHPRA/NMBA: These bodies focus on professional registration and regulation. AHPRA, with the support of the NMBA, ensures that nurses meet the necessary standards to practice safely and ethically in Australia. Once registered with AHPRA, you can work legally as a nurse in Australia.
ANMAC: ANMAC’s role is to assess your skills for migration. ANMAC evaluates whether your qualifications and experience align with the Australian standards required for migration as a skilled worker. ANMAC’s assessment is required for your visa application under the General Skilled Migration program but does not permit you to practise as a nurse—only AHPRA registration allows you to do that.
Simply put:
ANMAC = Migration Skills Assessment
AHPRA/NMBA = Registration to Practise
Why Understanding the Difference Matters
If you’re an internationally qualified nurse looking to migrate to Australia, it’s crucial to understand the difference between these two processes. Successfully passing the ANMAC skills assessment is a vital step in obtaining a visa, but it does not grant you the legal right to work as a nurse in Australia. For that, you will need to obtain registration through AHPRA.
Additionally, it’s essential to plan your migration carefully. If you fail to understand the distinction between ANMAC and AHPRA, you could risk delays in your migration process or even find yourself unable to work as a nurse after obtaining your visa.
At SOLVi Migration, we are here to guide you through the complexities of both the ANMAC skills assessment and the AHPRA registration process. Our team has helped many nurses like you successfully navigate these processes, ensuring that they can migrate smoothly and start their careers in Australia without unnecessary delays.
Conclusion
Both AHPRA (and NMBA) and ANMAC play critical roles in the migration and registration process for internationally qualified nurses. ANMAC is responsible for assessing your skills for visa purposes, while AHPRA ensures that you meet the professional standards required to practise nursing in Australia. Understanding the roles of each organisation and the steps involved in both processes is key to a successful migration journey. Make sure you stay informed and seek professional advice when necessary to avoid delays and complications.
If you’re ready to start your Australian nursing journey, reach out to SOLVi Migration for expert guidance and support every step of the way.
About Rhea Fawole
Rhea’s passion to establish SOLVi Migration cane from 12 years of working in senior roles at the Australian Immigration Department, including in the Immigration Minister’s office. She also gained an abundance of government liaison and Australian government policy experience in other agencies.
SOLVi Migration has been founded with a vision to collaborate with Australian businesses and skilled workers who want to migrate to Australia.