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In April, the Nursing and Midwifery Board’s (NMBA) new Registration standard: General registration for internationally qualified registered nurses came into effect. The pathways make it easier and faster for eligible nurses from NMBA-approved comparable jurisdictions to register and work in Australia. Nurses who meet the requirements can now complete registration in one to six months. The new process saves time and reduces costs for travel, accommodation and exams. It builds on existing pathways and supports the Board’s commitment to improving access to skilled nurses across the country.
In March, the NMBA’s updated Registration standard: English language skills took effect. It offers three flexible pathways to show English proficiency and supports safe, effective communication in healthcare. The revised standard reduces barriers for internationally qualified nurses and midwives, and expands the number of recognised countries, while maintaining public safety and reflecting current evidence and best practice.
In June, we joined the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia in Garramilla (Darwin) to showcase the strength and value of interprofessional collaboration.
In an important step toward striving for health equity and eliminating racism for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, the Boards shared videos and images of what genuine, respectful, racism-free collaboration between practitioners can look like. The resources build on the Fact sheet: Guidance for nurses and midwives working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners.
In a joint statement from Ahpra and the National Boards, the NMBA reinforced its expectations that all nurses and midwives deliver care that is culturally safe, respectful and free from discrimination and racism. These expectations are set out in the codes of conduct for nurses and midwives and supported by the NMBA’s professional practice framework.
We continue to work with partners across the health system to promote inclusive, culturally safe practice and to uphold public trust. Regulation plays a vital role in protecting the public and supporting a professional environment where all practitioners are treated with respect.
The NMBA continues to pursue proactive regulation through initiatives that anticipate emerging risk and support the nursing and midwifery workforce. New non-surgical cosmetic procedure guidelines, which come into effect in September 2025, enhance patient safety and practitioner accountability. The NMBA, with Ahpra and the other National Boards, also published new guidance on meeting professional obligations when using AI in healthcare.
Acknowledging the challenges of transitioning to the new online Ahpra practitioner portal, we waived late fees in full to ensure no practitioner was disadvantaged throughout the renewal process.
In a significant step forward for the nursing profession, the NMBA announced its new Registration standard: Endorsement for scheduled medicines – designated registered nurse prescriber. The standard aims to improve access to high-quality, reliable medicines for all Australians, particularly those in rural and remote areas.
The new standard recognises the growing demand for access to timely, affordable healthcare by enabling designated registered nurse prescribers to prescribe Schedule 2, 3, 4 and 8 medicines in partnership with authorised health practitioners under a clinical governance framework and an active prescribing agreement. It will come into effect in late 2025.
The change follows extensive consultation with nurses, educators, employers and the public. Feedback from more than 1,000 submissions helped shape the standard and guidelines, ensuring they are clear, safe and fit for purpose. Australia is well positioned to follow the lead of comparable healthcare systems where registered nurse prescribing is already delivering successful outcomes.
To apply for the endorsement, registered nurses will need to complete an NMBA-approved program of study and meet all registration requirements. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) released accreditation standards in January, with the first cohort of students expected to graduate in mid-2026.
The scope of prescribing will align with each designated registered nurse prescriber’s role, the prescribing agreement and relevant legislation. The endorsement supports team-based care and aims to relieve pressure on the health system by making better use of the nursing workforce.
Advance copies of the standard and guidelines, along with a fact sheet, were published in May to support early preparation. While the NMBA and Ahpra have led development of the regulatory framework alongside a Registered Nurse Prescribing Working Group chaired by Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan, successful implementation will require collaboration across governments, education providers, employers, health services and the profession.
ANMAC is the authority responsible for accrediting education providers and programs of study for the nursing and midwifery profession. Together with the NMBA, it works to protect the health and safety of all Australians by establishing high-quality standards of nursing and midwifery education, training and assessment.
The NMBA develops registration standards, professional codes, guidelines and standards for practice which together establish the requirements for the professional and safe practice of nurses and midwives in Australia. We are committed to periodically reviewing its professional practice framework and widely consults stakeholders to understand their views and improve its work.
In 2024/25, the NMBA reviewed, approved, published or consulted on a range of its regulatory documents, including:
The NMBA published six editions of its newsletter and one edition of Employer Connect, which features news, information and resources relevant to employers.
We responded to a number of media requests related to a range of topics including registered nurse prescribing, non-surgical cosmetic procedures, the Midwifery Futures report, the international workforce and requests for comment on individual practitioners.
The NMBA actively engages with stakeholders to ensure that regulatory decisions reflect the diverse requirements of Australia’s nursing and midwifery workforce and are responsive to the evolving needs of the Australian healthcare system. In April, we hosted a webinar for all external stakeholders to provide an update on nursing and midwifery regulation in Australia.
The NMBA attended a range of domestic and international nursing and midwifery conferences. We also held regular meetings with representative bodies, specialist colleges, accreditation authorities, support providers, and international nursing and midwifery regulators, as well as the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives.
In October, the NMBA released Midwifery Futures: Building the Australian midwifery workforce. The report, delivered by the Burnet Institute and funded in collaboration with the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers of Australia and New Zealand, presents a strong case for change to grow and support the midwifery workforce.
Informed by consultation with more than 1,000 midwives, students, educators, consumers and health services, the report explores how regulation can better enable safe, flexible and sustainable midwifery practice across all settings. It highlights the importance of culturally safe care, continuity of care, and improved support for midwives, particularly in rural and remote areas.
The findings reflect the NMBA’s commitment to strengthening the profession and improving outcomes for women, babies and families. Midwifery Futures lays the foundation for future regulatory reform, ensuring midwifery regulation remains responsive to the evolving needs of the workforce and the communities it serves.
Adjunct Professor Veronica Casey AM, Chair
