Australian Nursing Immigration 2025: AHPRA, Salaries, and PR Pathways

Australia migration for nurses is one of the most viable pathways for Vietnamese healthcare workers in 2025, as Australia faces a shortage of around 30,000 Registered Nurses, especially in regional areas. With a Subclass 189 cutoff of just 85 points and an average salary of 80,000-110,000 AUD/year, Australia migration for nurses is the preferred choice for this occupation. This article compiles the full pathway from AHPRA to PR.

Why choose Australia migration for nurses?

• Severe shortage: Australia’s Department of Health forecasts a shortage of around 85,000 RNs by 2030.
• High salary: 80,000-110,000 AUD/year (equivalent to roughly 40-55 AUD/hour, not including overtime and weekend loading).
• Stable SOL: Registered Nurse (254499 and its specialties) has stayed on the MLTSSL for many consecutive years.
• Easy state nomination: every state nominates RN; SA, TAS, NT accept lower scores.
• Family migration: spouse gets work rights, children get free public schooling.

4 steps to Australian migration for nurses

Step 1: Meet AHPRA / NMBA Registration

AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) is Australia’s health practitioner registration body. For nurses, NMBA (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia) is the assessing body:

1. Bachelor’s degree in nursing (Bachelor of Nursing) — at least 3 years, recognized by Vietnam’s Ministry of Health.
2. Minimum practical experience: 12 months full-time after graduation.
3. English: OET (Occupational English Test) all 4 skills ≥ B (Listening/Reading 350, Writing/Speaking 350) OR IELTS Academic 7.0 (Writing 7.0, all other skills 7.0).
4. Register for AHPRA NCAS: submit documents, get classified into Pathway A/B/C based on qualifications.
5. Outcome-Based Assessment (OBA): if Pathway B/C, sit the NCLEX-style MCQ + OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) in Australia.

Step 2: Skill Assessment via ANMAC

After obtaining AHPRA registration, submit a skill assessment via ANMAC (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council). Fee ~485 AUD, processing 6–8 weeks. The result is a prerequisite for the Points Test.

Step 3: Choose a Subclass and submit an EOI

3 main options:

• Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent — PR immediately): RN cutoff ~85 points. Suits younger applicants 25–35, OET B or above.
• Subclass 190 (State Nominated — PR): adds 5 points, cutoff ~75–80. Every state nominates RN.
• Subclass 491 (Regional Provisional — 5 years + 191 PR): adds 15 points, cutoff ~70–75. Tasmania, NT, regional NSW/VIC nominate readily.

Step 4: Lodge the visa, move to Australia and register to practice

After visa grant, arrive in Australia before the Initial Entry Date. In the first month:

1. Activate AHPRA registration (pay the annual fee ~175 AUD).
2. Register for Medicare, open a bank account (Westpac, ANZ, CBA, NAB).
3. Apply via SEEK, NSW Health Careers, RAMS Health.
4. Complete hospital orientation — usually 2–4 weeks.

OET / IELTS requirements for Australian migration for nurses

AHPRA accepts 4 types of test:

• OET — recommended: Listening 350+ (B), Reading 350+ (B), Writing 350+ (B), Speaking 350+ (B). A healthcare-specific test, easier to “contextualize” than IELTS.
• IELTS Academic: Overall 7.0, each skill ≥ 7.0. Cannot combine scores from 2 sittings (1 sitting only).
• PTE Academic: Overall 65, each skill ≥ 65.
• TOEFL iBT: Total 94, L 24, R 24, W 27, S 23.

On average Vietnamese nurses take 4–9 months to reach the target, depending on their starting level. M2W recommends OET because its test structure is closer to real work.

States that nominate Subclass 190/491 for nurses most easily in 2025

• Tasmania (TAS): graduate stream, priority for Hobart and Launceston hospitals. Cutoff as low as ~65–70.
• Northern Territory (NT): Darwin, Alice Springs face severe shortages. Cutoff 70.
• South Australia (SA): SA Health Talent Program, expanded in 2024.
• Western Australia (WA): Perth + regional WA (Pilbara, Goldfields) face RN shortages.
• Queensland regional (QLD): Townsville, Cairns, Toowoomba — 491.

Registered Nurse salary in Australia 2025

• Grade 1 (new graduate): 70,000–80,000 AUD/year (~38–43 AUD/hour).
• Grade 2 (2–5 years): 80,000–95,000 AUD/year.
• Grade 3 (Clinical Nurse): 95,000–115,000 AUD/year.
• Nurse Unit Manager: 110,000–135,000 AUD/year.
• Nurse Practitioner (Master + endorsement): 125,000–155,000 AUD/year.

Common extras include: weekend penalty rate (1.5–2x), night shift loading, on-call allowance. Total pay can rise 25–40%.

Cost of migrating to Australia for nurses

• Phí AHPRA + NCAS: 660 AUD initial + ~175 AUD/year.
• OBA test (if Pathway B/C): 1.300 AUD MCQ + 4.000 AUD OSCE.
• Bridging Program (if required): 13,000–25,000 AUD tuition for 6–18 months in Australia.
• OET / IELTS: based on the fee schedule of the assessing body.
• ANMAC Skill Assessment: 485 AUD.
• Visa 189/190/491: 4,640 AUD/main applicant.
• Consulting / legal service fees: 5.000–8.000 AUD.

Total for an individual applying under 189: about 12,000–18,000 AUD. For a family of 4: about 25,000–35,000 AUD.

Summary

Migrating to Australia as a nurse is a top choice for Vietnamese RNs — high demand, good pay, a clear pathway. The biggest challenges are OET 350+ and AHPRA documentation. Read more Australia skilled migration, Subclass 189, SOL 2025. Need to assess your AHPRA eligibility? Register for free with M2W.

For official and up-to-date information, you can refer directly to the Department of Home Affairs.

Read more: Overview of Australian migration · What is the MLTSSL? Australia’s skilled migration occupation lists, STSOL and ROL 2026