Australian Nursing Visas: PR and Employer-Sponsored Pathways
✈ Primary Australian Visa Pathways for Registered Nurses (RNs)
For registered nurses looking to migrate to Australia, the visa pathways are generally split into Skilled Migration (points-tested) and Employer-Sponsored streams. The key prerequisite for almost all these visas is the successful AHPRA Registration and a positive Skills Assessment from the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).
1. Permanent Residency (PR) Visas (Points-Tested)
These visas allow you to live and work anywhere in Australia immediately upon grant (Subclass 189) or after nomination (Subclass 190). They are based on a points system where your AHPRA eligibility contributes significantly to your score.
| Visa Subclass | Type | Key Requirement | Points (Approx.) |
| Skilled Independent (189) | Permanent | No sponsorship required. Must score highly to be invited. | Minimum 80 (RN occupations, Nov 2025 round) |
| Skilled Nominated (190) | Permanent | Requires State/Territory government nomination (adds 5 points). | Varies by State; often lower than 189. |
2. Regional & Provisional PR Pathway
This route encourages migration to areas outside of Australia’s major cities and offers a clear pathway to permanent residency.
| Visa Subclass | Type | Key Requirement | PR Pathway |
| Skilled Work Regional (491) | Provisional (5 years) | Requires State/Territory nomination or family sponsorship in a designated regional area (adds 15 points). | After 3 years in a regional area, apply for Subclass 191 (Permanent). |
3. Employer-Sponsored Visas
These visas require you to have a job offer and sponsorship from an approved Australian employer.
| Visa Subclass | Type | Sponsorship Requirement |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (186) | Permanent | Direct job offer and sponsorship from an eligible employer. |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (494) | Provisional (5 years) | Sponsorship from a regional employer. |
| Temporary Skill Shortage (482) | Temporary (up to 4 years) | Sponsorship from an employer; often a stepping stone to the 186 PR visa. |
📋 Key Overlapping Steps (AHPRA & Immigration)
Regardless of the visa stream, your process must follow these general immigration steps after or concurrently with your AHPRA registration:
| Step | Action | Official Portal/Resource |
| 1. AHPRA Registration | Secure your General Registration (or be in the final stages of the streamlined process). | (Search: AHPRA Nursing Registration) |
| 2. ANMAC Skills Assessment | Apply to ANMAC to have your nursing qualifications and experience formally assessed for migration purposes. | ANMAC Skilled Migrant Application Portal |
| 3. Expression of Interest (EOI) | Submit an EOI via the SkillSelect online system for points-tested visas (189/190/491). | SkillSelect EOI Portal |
| 4. Visa Application | Apply for the specific visa subclass once invited (189/190/491) or sponsored (186/494/482). | (Search: Department of Home Affairs ImmiAccount) |
Since your AHPRA eligibility often stems from working in a “comparable jurisdiction” (UK, US, Ireland, etc.), this experience is highly valued in the ANMAC skills assessment and the points test.
Comments (0)