Nurse Visas and Australian Registration 2026: What the NMBA Requires

Registration and visas are separate. To work as a nurse in Australia you need to be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), and you may also need a visa issued by the Department of Home Affairs.

We don't give migration advice

Visa options, eligibility, costs and processing times are set by the Department of Home Affairs and change often. For advice on which visa suits you, see the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent.

Where registration and visas meet

• The OSCE. If you live overseas, Ahpra will not offer you an OSCE date until you have provided an Australian visa — at least three months before the exam cycle. Once you have paid the OSCE fee, the IQNM Exams Team sends a letter you can include in your visa application. From that payment you have 180 days to sit the OSCE (the NMBA page says to schedule your date), or your IQNM case is closed and the fee refunded — neither the NMBA nor Ahpra mentions a pause for visa processing. Ahpra does not give visa advice either.
• Anmac. An Anmac skills assessment is for migration, not registration. Ask Home Affairs or a registered migration agent whether your visa needs one, and see our Anmac guide.

Start the Pathway

Start your registration preparation now:

• Understand the full registration process
• Start NCLEX-RN preparation — from $175
• Start OSCE preparation — from $397
• Check country-specific requirements

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GdayNurse does not give migration advice. Immigration rules change frequently — always check with the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent.