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20 Apr 2015
The Northern Territory Health Professional Review Tribunal has confirmed a decision by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia to refuse Mr Linse Thomas’ application for registration as an internationally qualified nurse.
The Board refused Mr Thomas’ application, made in early 2013, because he did not meet the Board’s requirements for the qualifications of internationally qualified nurses.
Mr Thomas held a diploma-level equivalent nursing qualification from India and had worked in the UK as a¬ registered nurse. His qualification was not an approved qualification nor was it considered to be substantially equivalent, or based on similar competencies, to an approved qualification.
The tribunal confirmed the Board’s decision, noting that Mr Thomas’ nursing experience in the UK could not be considered as a substitute for the required qualification.
The Board’s requirements for registration of internationally qualified nurses changed on 10 February 2014. The Board requires that qualifications are the equivalent of a bachelor degree, at Level 7 on the Australian Qualifications Framework. Qualifications that do not meet this level, such as the diploma held by Mr Thomas, can no longer be supplemented by work experience to meet the requirements for registration.
The reasons for the decision are on the AustLII website.
Download a PDF of this Media Release - Tribunal confirms National Board decision to refuse registration - 20 April 2015 (311 KB,PDF).