New Pathways: Bachelor of Nursing from Australia!

Final-year students who will soon complete their studies can go online now to apply for registration with the NMBA before they graduate.

Graduates need to be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) before they start practicing and must meet the registration requirements to be an enrolled nurse, registered nurse and/or midwife.

Registration standards that relate to the new graduate are:

• criminal history
• English language skills, and
• professional indemnity insurance arrangements.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) manages the registration of graduates on behalf of the NMBA.

The online graduate application service on the AHPRA website helps to smooth the path from study to work by enabling final-year students to apply for registration with the NMBA four to six weeks before completing their course.

Applicants apply online by setting up an account with AHPRA with a unique and personal email address only they have access to. This allows for progress on the form to be saved and resumed as required.

Applicants then complete the application form, upload their supporting documents and pay the registration fee.

Graduates are encouraged to find out how to use the online graduate application by accessing the information on the AHPRA website under Graduate applications.

How to apply for registration

There are three simple steps to registration for graduates:

• Complete an online application for registration four to six weeks before completing their course.
• Upload supporting documents when completing their online application.
• Wait to be contacted by AHPRA.

What happens next?

AHPRA assesses the application which can only be finalized once the education provider provides advice that the student is eligible to graduate. AHPRA contacts the student if more information is needed and/or to confirm that registration has been granted.

New graduates registered with the Board are eligible to start work as soon as their name is published on the national register of practitioners.

Applications from enrolled nurses

Online applications are also open for currently registered enrolled nurses who are due to complete an approved program of study that will qualify the individual for registration as a registered nurse or midwife. These applicants apply via the online services portal and need their User ID to log in. Because these applicants have already met the English language skills requirements as an enrolled nurse, they are not required to provide this evidence again. More information about supporting documentation is available on the NMBA website.

For more information

• Go to Graduate applications on the AHPRA website to apply online and for links to FAQ
• For registration enquiries or difficulties in accessing the online application form: 1300 419 495 (within Australia)
• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200