Last updated: 30 March 2026

ANMAC Assessment: Guide for Nurses and Midwives

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) is the designated assessing authority for nursing and midwifery occupations under Australia’s skilled migration program. If you are a registered nurse, enrolled nurse, or midwife who trained overseas and you are pursuing permanent residency in Australia, you will need a positive ANMAC skills assessment before lodging an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect. This guide explains what ANMAC assesses, what documents you need, how the process works, and how to prepare a solid application.

What Is ANMAC and Who Needs This Assessment?

ANMAC — the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council — is an independent body that accredits Australian nursing and midwifery education programs and assesses the qualifications of internationally trained nurses and midwives for migration purposes.

You need an ANMAC skills assessment if your nominated visa occupation is registered nurse (ANZSCO 254411), enrolled nurse (ANZSCO 411411), or midwife (ANZSCO 254111), and you are applying for a points-tested skilled visa or a specific employer-sponsored visa pathway.

An important distinction applies here: the ANMAC skills assessment is a migration document, not a clinical registration. It confirms that your overseas qualifications and experience are comparable to Australian standards for immigration purposes. It does not authorise you to work as a nurse or midwife in Australia. That authorisation comes from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), which processes separate nursing and midwifery registration applications.

In practical terms, most internationally trained nurses follow this sequence: complete the ANMAC skills assessment as part of their visa application process, receive a visa that permits work in Australia, then apply to AHPRA for registration before beginning to practise. The two processes are related but administered separately.

ANMAC assesses applicants through two primary pathways:

• Skilled Migration Assessment — for applicants applying through a skilled migration visa who have completed at least 12 months of post-registration nursing or midwifery employment
• General Skills Assessment — for applicants who do not yet meet the employment threshold, including new graduates or those returning to practice after a career break

Understanding which pathway applies to your situation determines the documents you need and the evidence you must provide.

Which Occupations Does ANMAC Assess?

ANMAC assesses the following nursing and midwifery occupations recognised under Australia’s skilled migration system.

Registered Nurse (ANZSCO 254411) The primary nursing role requiring a bachelor’s degree in nursing or equivalent qualification and registration with a nursing regulatory authority in the country of practice. This is the most commonly assessed occupation by volume.

Registered Nurse specialisations (ANZSCO sub-codes)

• Registered Nurse — Critical Care and Emergency (ANZSCO 254412)
• Registered Nurse — Medical (ANZSCO 254413)
• Registered Nurse — Mental Health (ANZSCO 254422)
• Registered Nurse — Perioperative (ANZSCO 254423)
• Registered Nurse — Paediatrics (ANZSCO 254418)
• Registered Nurse — Surgical (ANZSCO 254415)

ANMAC assesses the base qualification of Registered Nurse for all specialisation sub-codes. Your specialist experience may influence your employment prospects in Australia but it is the core nursing qualification that is evaluated in the skills assessment.

Enrolled Nurse (ANZSCO 411411) A lower qualification tier requiring a diploma in nursing or equivalent. Enrolled nurses work under the supervision of registered nurses in the Australian system. The ANMAC assessment for enrolled nurses applies a different benchmark qualification than for registered nurses.

Midwife (ANZSCO 254111) A distinct professional category requiring a midwifery-specific qualification (not simply nursing experience). Some countries train midwives through nursing programs; others through direct-entry midwifery programs. ANMAC assesses both pathways, though the documentation requirements differ.

What Are the ANMAC Assessment Requirements?

ANMAC evaluates applications against three core areas: qualifications, registration, and employment.

Qualification Requirements

For a Registered Nurse: your highest nursing qualification must be equivalent to an Australian bachelor’s degree in nursing. This typically means a 3 to 4 year undergraduate degree in nursing from a recognised institution. ANMAC does not accept diploma-level qualifications as equivalent for the Registered Nurse category.

For an Enrolled Nurse: your nursing qualification must be equivalent to an Australian diploma-level qualification in nursing (AQF Level 5).

For a Midwife: your midwifery qualification must be equivalent to an Australian bachelor’s degree in midwifery. Nursing qualifications combined with midwifery-specific postgraduate study may also satisfy this requirement, depending on the program structure.

Registration Requirements

You must hold or have held current, valid nursing or midwifery registration in your country of training or employment. ANMAC requires evidence of this registration and a Certificate of Registration Status (CRS) or equivalent document from your regulatory body confirming:

• Your current registration status
• Any conditions, endorsements, or disciplinary actions on your registration
• The date your registration was first granted

Employment Requirements (Skilled Migration Assessment)

For the Skilled Migration Assessment pathway, you must demonstrate at least 12 months of post-registration employment in your nominated occupation within the past 5 years. Employment evidence requires:

• Employer reference letters on official letterhead, signed by a nurse manager or HR officer, detailing position title, employment dates, clinical area, and hours per week
• Payslips or tax documents as supporting evidence where available

Document Checklist

• Certified copies of all nursing or midwifery qualification certificates and academic transcripts
• Official English translations of all non-English documents (NAATI-accredited)
• Certificate of Registration Status from your nursing regulatory body
• Employer reference letters covering required employment period
• Certified copy of current passport
• English language proficiency test result (IELTS Academic or OET — minimum scores vary; check ANMAC requirements)
• Immunisation records (required for some assessment types)

How Do You Apply for an ANMAC Assessment?

ANMAC applications are submitted through the ANMAC online portal at anmac.org.au.

Step 1 — Determine your assessment pathway Confirm whether you qualify for the Skilled Migration Assessment (12 months post-registration employment) or must use the General Skills Assessment pathway. This determines the documents and evidence required.

Step 2 — Obtain your Certificate of Registration Status Contact your home country nursing regulatory authority and request an official Certificate of Registration Status. This document must be issued directly by the regulator — a letter from your employer confirming you hold a licence is not equivalent.

Step 3 — Gather and certify all documents Collect certified copies of your qualification certificates, academic transcripts, employment reference letters, and identity documents. All non-English documents require NAATI-accredited translation. Certifications must be made by an authorised person (JP, solicitor, notary, or embassy official).

Step 4 — Complete the English language proficiency requirement ANMAC requires evidence of English language proficiency. Accepted tests include IELTS Academic (minimum Academic scores of 7.0 in each band for RN, with some variation) or OET (minimum Grade B in each component). Check ANMAC’s current English language requirements on their website as these are updated periodically.

Step 5 — Create an ANMAC account and complete the online application Register on the ANMAC portal and complete the online application form. Enter your qualification details, registration history, and employment history accurately.

Step 6 — Upload documents and pay the assessment fee Upload all required documents and confirm payment online. ANMAC will not begin processing until both the documents and payment are in place.

Step 7 — Respond to any requests for additional information ANMAC may contact you requesting clarification or additional documentation. Respond promptly — delays in responding pause the assessment clock.

Step 8 — Receive your outcome letter ANMAC issues a formal outcome letter. A positive outcome specifies the assessed ANZSCO occupation code and is used in your SkillSelect EOI.

How Much Does ANMAC Assessment Cost?

ANMAC assessment fees as at early 2026 are structured as follows.

Fees are set by ANMAC and subject to change. Confirm current fees on the ANMAC website before applying.

ANMAC’s assessment fees are among the lower end of the range for Australian assessing bodies. However, the total cost of preparing a complete application is typically higher when you account for English language testing (IELTS Academic approximately $395 per sitting; OET approximately $587), NAATI translation costs ($50–$300 per document), and document certification and postage costs for obtaining overseas regulatory certificates.

For a full view of how ANMAC costs compare to other assessing authorities, see the skills assessment fee comparison.

How Long Does ANMAC Assessment Take?

ANMAC typically processes complete applications within 8 to 12 weeks. Unlike some other assessing bodies, ANMAC does not offer a priority or fast-track processing service — all applications are assessed under the standard timeframe.

The clock starts from the date ANMAC confirms your application is complete — all documents uploaded and fee paid. If ANMAC issues a request for additional information, processing pauses until you respond. Incomplete applications — particularly those missing the Certificate of Registration Status or English language test results — are the most common cause of delays.

Processing during peak periods (typically the first and third quarters of the calendar year, when migration planning activity increases) may run toward the upper end of the 12-week window. Plan your ANMAC application with at least 14 weeks of buffer if you have a specific EOI lodgement target.

A positive ANMAC assessment outcome is valid for 3 years from the date of issue.

Tips for a Successful ANMAC Application

Obtain your Certificate of Registration Status early

This is the most commonly delayed document in ANMAC applications. Some overseas nursing regulatory authorities take 4 to 8 weeks to issue this certificate, and some require a formal written request or in-person collection. Start this process well before you begin the rest of your ANMAC application — it often becomes the longest lead-time item.

Ensure your English test meets ANMAC’s specific requirements

ANMAC’s English language thresholds are specific — the minimum scores differ for Registered Nurse, Enrolled Nurse, and Midwife categories, and ANMAC may require scores that are higher than the general migration English requirement. A test result that satisfies the Department of Home Affairs may not satisfy ANMAC. Check the ANMAC website for the exact score requirements for your occupation before booking your English test.

Have employment letters describe clinical duties specifically

Generic reference letters that say “worked as a registered nurse” without describing the clinical environment, patient population, duties performed, and hours per week do not provide the evidence ANMAC needs to confirm your experience. Ask your nurse manager or employer to describe your role in clinical terms — the ward type, the acuity level, your scope of practice, and your hours.

Understand the difference between the ANMAC assessment and AHPRA registration

Many applicants confuse these two processes. The ANMAC skills assessment is for migration purposes and precedes your visa. AHPRA registration is the clinical licence required to practise in Australia and comes after your visa is granted. Knowing which process you are completing at any given stage will prevent misdirected effort and confusion about requirements.

For General Skills Assessment applicants — address the employment gap clearly

If you are using the General Skills Assessment pathway because you do not yet have 12 months of post-registration employment, your application should clearly address your clinical training, any supervised or student clinical placements, and your professional development activities. ANMAC will assess your qualifications against the benchmark standard, and additional documentation of your clinical training hours can support the assessment where employment records are limited.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an ANMAC assessment the same as AHPRA registration?

No. An ANMAC skills assessment and AHPRA registration are separate processes that serve different purposes. The ANMAC skills assessment is a migration document required for visa applications — it confirms that your qualifications and experience meet Australian standards for your nursing or midwifery occupation. AHPRA registration is the professional licence you need to work as a nurse or midwife in Australia. You will typically complete the ANMAC assessment first as part of the visa process, then proceed to AHPRA registration once you have been granted a visa and are preparing to work.

How long does an ANMAC assessment take?

ANMAC standard processing typically takes 8 to 12 weeks from receipt of a complete application. ANMAC does not currently offer a priority or fast-track processing service. Processing pauses if ANMAC issues a request for additional information, so submitting a thorough application with all required documents from the outset is the most reliable way to avoid delays.

Can I get an ANMAC assessment if I trained outside Australia?

Yes — ANMAC specifically exists to assess internationally trained nurses and midwives. ANMAC assesses qualifications from any country against Australian nursing and midwifery educational standards. The outcome indicates whether your overseas training is comparable to the relevant Australian qualification level. International graduates from countries with strong nursing education systems (UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Philippines, India, and others) are regularly assessed by ANMAC, though the evidence required and assessment depth may vary.

What Should You Do Next?

If you are a registered nurse, enrolled nurse, or midwife and your nominated ANZSCO code is covered by ANMAC, the first practical step is to review the ANMAC skills assessment requirements for your specific occupation category on the ANMAC website and identify which pathway applies to you.

The two documents with the longest preparation timelines — the Certificate of Registration Status from your overseas regulatory body and your English language test result — should be initiated as early as possible, as they often determine the overall timeline of your application. Once those are in hand, the rest of the ANMAC application can proceed without structural delays.

After receiving a positive ANMAC outcome, you can submit your SkillSelect Expression of Interest for the subclass 189 skilled independent visa or a state-nominated pathway. If you are weighing costs across different visa pathways, the skills assessment fee comparison provides context on how ANMAC fees compare to other assessing bodies.