Australia checklist for nurses

0 of 6 steps ticked

1. Do the free Self-check on the NMBA site to learn your stream (A, B or C)
2. Pay the assessment fee and complete Orientation Part 1
3. Stream B: pass NCLEX-RN at a Pearson VUE centre
4. Stream B: pass the OSCE in Adelaide
5. Meet the English standard and apply for general registration through Ahpra
6. Complete Orientation Part 2 after registration

Language test

• IELTS Academic: Minimum overall 7, listening 7, reading 7, writing 6.5, speaking 7 Tests on or after 23 Apr 2026 (unchanged from before). Up to two sittings of the same test within 12 months; in two sittings no component below 6.5.
• OET: Minimum listening 350, reading 360, writing 350, speaking 360 Tests on or after 23 Apr 2026. Tests on or before 22 Apr 2026: B, B, C+ (writing), B.
• PTE Academic: Minimum overall 63, listening 58, reading 59, writing 60, speaking 76 Tests on or after 23 Apr 2026. Older tests: overall 66, L/R/S 66, W 56.
• TOEFL iBT: Minimum overall 91, listening 22, reading 22, writing 23, speaking 24 Tests on or after 23 Apr 2026. Older tests: 94 (L24 R24 W24 S23).
• Cambridge C1 Advanced: Minimum overall 178, listening 175, reading 179, writing 180, speaking 194 Tests on or after 23 Apr 2026; C2 Proficiency 185 (W 176).

Licensing exam

• Outcomes-based assessment stage 1: MCQ (NCLEX-RN): NCLEX-RN computer test, sat in your own country; only for Stream B applicants
• Outcomes-based assessment stage 2: OSCE: Clinical OSCE at graduate-nurse level; only after passing the MCQ