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If you are an internationally qualified nurse or midwife (IQNM) who wishes to register in Australia, you will need to complete the Self-check before applying for registration. It is important to read all of the information on this page before starting the Self-check. Once you have read this information, there is a link to the Self-check available on this page in the section ‘Ready to complete the Self-check?’
You will need to enter your qualification information into the Self-check. If your qualification is available to select from the list, once you complete the Self-check you will be assigned to one of three streams. If your qualification is not available to select from the list, once you complete Self-check you will be advised of the steps you need to complete in order for Ahpra to assess your qualification and assign you to a stream. The stream assigned is dependent on which qualification assessment criteria your qualification(s) meet (see Meeting the registration requirements for information on the criteria).
IQNMs in each stream have different steps (assessment stages) to complete before being eligible to apply for registration.
The three streams are:
Stream A - IQNMs who hold a qualification considered to be substantially equivalent, or based on similar competencies, to an approved qualification
Stream B - IQNMs who hold a qualification that is relevant to the profession, but is not substantially equivalent, nor based on similar competencies to an approved qualification
Stream C – IQNMs who hold a qualification that is not substantially equivalent or relevant to an approved qualification
The following figure shows which stream IQNMs will be assigned to based on the qualification assessment criteria their qualification(s) meet.
The Self-check only identifies the required assessment stages for IQNMs seeking registration. It does not assess whether an individual can meet the eligibility requirements for registration. In other words, completing the assessment stages following Self-check does not guarantee that your application for registration will be successful.
A non-refundable IQNM assessment fee (assessment and orientation) of $410 must be paid and Orientation Part 1 must be completed by all IQNMs in the following cohorts in order to proceed in the IQNM assessment process:
For more information about these and subsequent assessment stages, please see Steps after Self-check (assessment stages).
Only internationally qualified nurses or midwives who would like to seek registration in Australia should complete the Self-check. The Self-check cannot be completed by a third party or agent on your behalf.
Please note, where there is only one level of nursing in the country an IQNM obtained their primary qualification, they can only seek registration in Australia as a registered nurse (RN).
When completing the Self-check, you will be asked to provide some information about your qualification(s) and some personal information. Further information will be requested at other assessment stages and you may have to provide some of the same information more than once. This is because external providers deliver different components of the assessment stages such as the orientation program and the multiple-choice question (MCQ) exam.
Are you ready to commence your Self-check? If so, please click below.
Commence Self-check
Important information for internationally qualified registered nurses
Candidates who receive a Stream B outcome after the Self-check or Portfolio stages, and who request a NCLEX-RN score transfer from Ahpra to another nursing regulatory body, will be required to apply to Ahpra for a score transfer and pay a fee to before their score will be transferred. See Information for registered nurses for further information.