What is Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency?
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is a national statutory body established under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law. It regulates 15 health professions across Australia, including medicine, nursing, dentistry, physiotherapy, psychology, pharmacy, and allied health disciplines. AHPRA operates in partnership with 15 National Boards, each responsible for setting standards and guidelines for their profession.
In the skilled migration system, AHPRA plays a critical role in assessing overseas-trained health professionals seeking to work in Australia. The agency verifies that applicants meet Australian registration standards, including qualifications, professional experience, English language proficiency, and health and character requirements. This assessment is mandatory for most health occupations on the skilled migration lists.
AHPRA's assessment process is comprehensive and rigorous. It evaluates whether an overseas qualification is substantially equivalent to Australian standards, considers any gaps in knowledge or practice, and determines whether applicants can practice safely and effectively in the Australian healthcare system. The agency covers 50+ health occupations across multiple specialties.
Which visas require an AHPRA skills assessment?
AHPRA assessments are required for skilled health professionals applying for most Australian skilled migration visas, including permanent residency and employer-sponsored pathways.
An AHPRA skills assessment confirms that your health qualifications and professional experience meet Australian standards, which is a prerequisite for visa processing. Without a positive AHPRA assessment, your visa application cannot proceed, making this assessment a critical first step in your migration journey.
How AHPRA assessment works
The AHPRA assessment process evaluates your qualifications, professional experience, and suitability to practice in Australia. The process typically takes 8–16 weeks and involves a detailed review of your credentials and evidence of competency.
- Register on the AHPRA online portal and select your profession and assessment pathway
- Pay the non-refundable application fee (AUD 600–1200 depending on your profession)
- Submit certified copies of all required documents, including qualifications, transcripts, and employment references
- Provide evidence of professional practice and any continuing professional development undertaken
- Complete a self-assessment questionnaire detailing your qualifications and experience
- Undergo a competency assessment, which may include written examinations, practical assessments, or supervised practice depending on your profession
- Receive notification of your assessment outcome (positive, negative, or conditional)
Assessment pathways
AHPRA offers several assessment pathways designed to accommodate different qualifications and professional backgrounds. The specific pathway available to you depends on your profession, the country in which you trained, and your level of professional experience.
For overseas-trained professionals with a tertiary qualification in their field. AHPRA reviews your degree, transcripts, and professional experience to determine if your training is substantially equivalent to Australian standards. This is the most common pathway for skilled migration applicants.
Available for professionals with significant post-qualification experience who may not have formal tertiary qualifications or who trained under different regulatory frameworks. RPL considers your demonstrated competency through years of practice, references, and supporting evidence.
Some professions offer provisional registration for overseas-trained professionals who meet most but not all standard requirements. This pathway allows limited practice under supervision while you complete additional training or assessments to meet full registration standards.
Documents required
Documents required vary by pathway but typically include:
- Original or certified copy of your degree certificate(s) and diploma(s) in your health profession
- Official university transcripts from all tertiary institutions attended, showing all subjects completed and grades achieved
- Certified English translations of all documents if they are not in English
- Curriculum vitae detailing your complete professional history, positions held, and dates of employment
- Employment reference letters from supervisors or employers covering your entire professional practice, on company letterhead
- Evidence of continuing professional development and post-qualification training undertaken
- Proof of professional registration in your country of origin or most recent practice country
- Statutory declaration confirming the accuracy of information provided and your professional conduct
- Evidence of English language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent if not trained in English-speaking country)
- Police clearance certificate from all countries where you have lived for more than 12 months in the past 10 years
- Health declaration form (provided by AHPRA) completed by an approved doctor
- Copies of any professional indemnity insurance policies held
All documents must be certified as true copies of the originals by an authorised certifier (e.g. lawyer, accountant, or notary public). Non-English documents must be accompanied by a certified English translation prepared by a qualified translator. Some professions may require additional documents specific to their field of practice.
AHPRA assessment fees
| Application type | Fee (AUD, approx.) |
|---|---|
| Medical Practitioner Assessment | AUD 1,200 |
| Nursing and Midwifery Assessment | AUD 800 |
| Allied Health Professions (Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Podiatry) | AUD 700 |
| Pharmacy Assessment | AUD 850 |
| Dental Practitioner Assessment | AUD 900 |
| Psychology Assessment | AUD 750 |
Assessment outcomes
AHPRA issues one of three outcomes:
A positive assessment confirms that your health qualifications and professional experience meet Australian standards and that you are eligible for registration. This assessment is valid for most visa applications and is a critical document for your skilled migration process. With a positive assessment, you can proceed with visa applications and registration in your state or territory.
If your assessment is not positive, you may be eligible for a review or reassessment. AHPRA will provide detailed feedback on areas where your qualifications do not meet Australian standards. You may be able to undertake bridging courses, additional training, or supervised practice to address these gaps and reapply for assessment.
You have the right to request a review of your assessment outcome if you believe there has been an error or if you have additional evidence that addresses the reasons for a negative outcome. Reviews must be requested within a specified timeframe after notification of your result.
Occupations assessed by AHPRA
AHPRA is the nominated assessing authority for the following ANZSCO occupations. Click any occupation to see full visa pathway details.
| ANZSCO | Occupation | List |
|---|---|---|
| 221111 | General Practitioner | MLTSSL |
| 221113 | Hospital Medical Officer | MLTSSL |
| 251311 | Pharmacist | MLTSSL |
| 251912 | Veterinarian | MLTSSL |
| 252411 | Physiotherapist | MLTSSL |
| 252412 | Occupational Therapist | MLTSSL |
| 252414 | Podiatrist | MLTSSL |
| 254111 | Registered Nurse (Aged Care) | MLTSSL |
| 254112 | Registered Nurse (Critical Care) | MLTSSL |
| 254113 | Registered Nurse (Disability) | MLTSSL |
| 254115 | Registered Nurse (Mental Health) | MLTSSL |
| 254413 | Midwife | MLTSSL |
| 272511 | Psychologist | MLTSSL |
| 312111 | Dentist | MLTSSL |