What is Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency?
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is a national statutory authority established under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law. It regulates 15 health professions across Australia, setting standards for professional conduct, education, and competency.
In the skilled migration context, AHPRA's national boards—including the Medical Board of Australia, Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, Pharmacy Board of Australia, and others—assess whether overseas-trained health professionals meet Australian standards for professional registration. This assessment confirms your qualifications are equivalent to Australian qualifications and that you meet English language requirements.
AHPRA assesses health professionals across multiple occupational categories including medical practitioners, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, optometrists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and other regulated professions. The assessment process verifies your educational qualifications, professional experience, and English language proficiency against Australian registration standards.
Which visas require a AHPRA skills assessment?
AHPRA assessments support several Australian skilled migration pathways, particularly for health professionals with high demand in Australia. The skills assessment confirms your professional credentials meet Australian standards.
AHPRA assessments are typically required for health professionals applying through skilled visa pathways. Once you receive a positive assessment, you can claim points under the skilled migration system or satisfy visa requirements where health registration is mandatory. The assessment validity depends on the profession and visa pathway, with most assessments valid for the duration of your visa application.
How AHPRA assessment works
The AHPRA assessment process involves application lodgement, document verification, qualifications assessment, English language confirmation, and a final decision by the relevant national board. Processing typically takes 8–16 weeks depending on your profession and application completeness.
- Complete online application through the AHPRA portal, providing personal details, qualifications, and professional experience
- Lodge certified documents including educational qualifications, transcripts, and evidence of professional registration in your home country
- AHPRA verifies your documents and qualification equivalency against Australian standards
- Demonstrate English language proficiency through TOEFL, IELTS, OET, or other approved tests if your qualification was not obtained in English
- Provide statutory declarations and professional references from your current or recent employers
- The relevant national board reviews your application and may request additional information or assessments
- Receive your assessment outcome—positive, negative, or conditional—with written notification of the decision and your registration status
Assessment pathways
AHPRA assesses health professionals through two main assessment streams: general registration for those meeting all Australian standards, and limited registration for those needing additional support or who do not yet fully meet all requirements.
Available to overseas-trained health professionals whose qualifications are substantially equivalent to Australian qualifications. Requires proof of professional experience, English language proficiency, and compliance with all registration standards. Successful applicants receive full registration and can practise independently in Australia.
Available for overseas-trained professionals who do not yet meet all requirements for general registration. Often used by medical practitioners undertaking further training, or by other health professionals needing to complete additional assessments. Limited registration has specified conditions and time limitations.
Some professions allow conditional registration where applicants must complete additional examinations, work under supervision, or meet specified requirements within a defined timeframe. Conditions depend on your profession and qualifications.
Documents required
Documents required vary by pathway but typically include:
- Original or certified copies of educational qualifications (degrees, diplomas, certificates)
- Official academic transcripts from all tertiary institutions attended, certified as true copies
- Evidence of professional registration in your home country (registration certificate or license)
- Statutory declaration detailing your professional experience, qualifications, and suitability to practise in Australia
- Professional references from two or more current or recent employers on their letterhead and signed
- Passport or travel document showing your identity and date of birth
- Evidence of English language proficiency test results (TOEFL, IELTS, OET) if applicable
- Curriculum vitae or professional resume detailing all employment history and key responsibilities
- Evidence of professional indemnity insurance in your home country
- Criminal history declaration or police clearance certificate
- Documentation of any disciplinary or complaints history in your home country
- Proof of vaccination or immunity status where required by your profession
All documents must be certified as true copies by a notary public, certified practising accountant, or other authorised person. If documents are not in English, they must be accompanied by a certified English translation from a qualified translator.
AHPRA assessment fees
| Application type | Fee (AUD, approx.) |
|---|---|
| General Registration Assessment | AUD 750 |
| Limited Registration Assessment | AUD 600 |
| Specialist Registration Assessment | AUD 950 |
| Re-assessment or Review Application | AUD 850 |
| Examination Fee (if required) | AUD 1,100–1,200 |
Assessment outcomes
AHPRA issues one of three outcomes:
A positive AHPRA assessment means your qualifications meet Australian standards and you are eligible for professional registration. You can practise your profession in Australia and your assessment supports your skilled migration visa application. Positive assessments are generally valid for the duration of your visa, with renewal required if you change registration status or allow your registration to lapse.
If your assessment is unsuccessful, AHPRA will provide written feedback explaining the reasons. You may be eligible to reapply after addressing the identified deficiencies, such as completing additional qualifications, gaining further professional experience, or retaking examinations. Review and appeal processes are available—check AHPRA's website for appeal procedures for your specific profession.
Most health professions allow reassessment or review applications if your initial assessment was unsuccessful. Timeframes and conditions for reapplication vary by profession. AHPRA recommends reviewing the detailed feedback on your initial outcome and addressing all identified gaps before reapplying.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 253111 | Medical Practitioner | MLTSSL |
| 254111 | Registered Nurse | MLTSSL |
| 254112 | Registered Nurse (Aged Care) | MLTSSL |
| 254113 | Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) | MLTSSL |
| 254114 | Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) | MLTSSL |
| 254115 | Registered Nurse (Disability and Mental Health) | MLTSSL |
| 254116 | Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) | MLTSSL |
| 254117 | Registered Nurse (Perioperative) | MLTSSL |
| 254118 | Registered Nurse (Surgical) | MLTSSL |
| 254411 | Midwife | MLTSSL |
| 251211 | Dentist | MLTSSL |
| 251312 | Optometrist | MLTSSL |
| 252111 | Occupational Therapist | MLTSSL |
| 252112 | Physiotherapist | MLTSSL |
| 252312 | Pharmacist | MLTSSL |
| 252113 | Podiatrist | STSOL |
| 252114 | Chiropractor | STSOL |
| 252115 | Osteopath | STSOL |
| 251513 | Clinical Psychologist | MLTSSL |
| 251514 | Psychologist (Registered) | MLTSSL |
| 324213 | Paramedic | STSOL |