What is Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council?
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) is Australia's national accreditation body for nursing and midwifery education programs and the official skills assessment authority for internationally qualified nurses and midwives applying for skilled migration visas. Established under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, ANMAC ensures that overseas-trained nursing professionals meet Australian professional and educational standards before they can register with AHPRA (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) and work in Australia.
ANMAC's role in the migration pathway is critical: while AHPRA handles professional registration, ANMAC conducts the initial skills assessment that evaluates whether your nursing or midwifery qualifications are substantially equivalent to Australian standards. This assessment confirms your educational background, clinical competency, and readiness to practise safely in the Australian healthcare system. The assessment covers both registered nurses and enrolled nurses, as well as midwives at both levels.
ANMAC assesses a range of nursing and midwifery occupations, including registered nurses across various specialties, nurse practitioners, enrolled nurses, and midwives. The council recognizes qualifications from a wide variety of countries and educational systems, though assessment criteria are rigorous to maintain patient safety and professional standards. Most applicants are required to undergo a full qualification assessment, with the opportunity for competency-based pathways in some circumstances.
Which visas require a ANMAC skills assessment?
ANMAC assessments are a critical requirement for nursing and midwifery positions under Australia's skilled migration program. An ANMAC skills assessment is required before applying for the following visa subclasses:
For skilled independent (189) and state-nominated (190, 491) visas, an ANMAC assessment confirms your qualifications meet Australian standards and supports your points claim. For employer-sponsored visas (482, 186, 494), an ANMAC assessment verifies your eligibility to work as a nurse or midwife in Australia and satisfies the sponsorship requirements. The assessment is non-negotiable for all nursing and midwifery migration pathways.
How ANMAC assessment works
The ANMAC skills assessment process is comprehensive and typically takes 8–12 weeks. Your application is reviewed against specific criteria covering your nursing or midwifery qualifications, professional experience, English language proficiency, and alignment with Australian nursing standards.
- Submit your online application via the ANMAC Website (anmac.org.au/skills-assessment) with all required supporting documents, including certified copies of your qualifications, transcripts, and employment references.
- Pay the assessment fee (AUD 850–1000 depending on application type) via the secure online payment system. ANMAC processes payment before commencing your assessment.
- ANMAC reviews your documentation to confirm your qualifications are recognized and your employment experience is relevant to the nursing or midwifery occupation you are claiming.
- Your assessment is evaluated against the ANMAC standards for professional competence, which include clinical knowledge, professional accountability, and alignment with the nursing and midwifery practice standards in Australia.
- ANMAC may request additional evidence, clarification, or a competency-based assessment interview if your qualifications do not directly align with Australian pathways.
- Once the assessment is complete, ANMAC issues your official skills assessment result letter, which is valid for three years and can be used in all skilled migration visa applications.
Assessment pathways
ANMAC offers two primary assessment pathways depending on your educational background and professional context. Most internationally trained nurses undergo the standard qualification assessment, though a competency-based pathway is available for applicants with equivalent but non-directly aligned qualifications.
For applicants with a nursing or midwifery degree or diploma recognized by their home country. ANMAC reviews your formal qualifications, transcripts, and professional credentials to confirm they are substantially equivalent to Australian standards. This is the most common pathway and typically takes 8–12 weeks.
Available for applicants whose qualifications are not directly comparable to Australian nursing or midwifery pathways but who can demonstrate equivalent professional competence through extensive clinical experience, additional qualifications, or alternative evidence of clinical knowledge. This pathway may involve a practical or written competency assessment.
Documents required
Documents required vary by pathway but typically include:
- Certified copies of your nursing or midwifery degree certificate or diploma (certified by a notary public or official in your country of qualification).
- Official transcripts from your nursing or midwifery education institution showing all subjects completed and grades achieved.
- Evidence of professional registration or licensure in your home country (e.g., nursing council or midwifery board registration certificate).
- References from your clinical supervisors or employers (on official letterhead) covering at least two years of recent nursing or midwifery experience.
- Statutory declaration confirming the accuracy of your application and the authenticity of your qualifications.
- Curriculum vitae detailing your nursing or midwifery work experience, specialties, and any additional qualifications or certifications.
- Evidence of English language proficiency (IELTS, OET, TOEFL, or PTE) if English is not your native language; OET (Occupational English Test) is preferred by ANMAC for nursing professions.
- Original or certified translation of all documents not in English, completed by a certified translator.
- Any continuing professional development, additional qualifications, or specialty certifications relevant to nursing or midwifery practice.
- Proof of payment of the application fee (generated automatically upon submission).
All documents must be certified copies unless otherwise specified. Translations must be provided by a certified translator if documents are not in English. ANMAC may request original documents to be sighted by appointment if needed.
ANMAC assessment fees
| Application type | Fee (AUD, approx.) |
|---|---|
| Standard Skills Assessment (Registered Nurse or Midwife) | AUD 950 |
| Standard Skills Assessment (Enrolled Nurse) | AUD 900 |
| Competency-Based Assessment | AUD 1000 |
| Re-assessment or Appeal | AUD 850 |
| Duplicate Result Letter | AUD 50 |
Assessment outcomes
ANMAC issues one of three outcomes:
A positive ANMAC assessment confirms that your nursing or midwifery qualifications are substantially equivalent to Australian standards and that you are competent to practise as a nurse or midwife in Australia. The assessment letter is valid for three years and can be used in multiple skilled migration visa applications, including 189, 190, 491, 482, and 186 visas. A positive result also supports your application for AHPRA professional registration.
If ANMAC advises that your qualifications do not meet Australian standards, you have the right to request a review or re-assessment. You may also pursue additional qualifications, undertake further training, or provide additional evidence of competency. Some applicants choose to complete a bridging program or further study in Australia to strengthen their qualifications before re-applying.
ANMAC offers a review process if you disagree with the outcome. You can request a review within 12 months of receiving your result letter. The review fee is typically AUD 850 and allows a different assessor to reconsider your documentation.
Occupations assessed by ANMAC
ANMAC is the nominated assessing authority for the following ANZSCO occupations. Click any occupation to see full visa pathway details.
| ANZSCO | Occupation | List |
|---|---|---|
| 254111 | Registered Nurse | MLTSSL / State-listed |
| 254112 | Nurse Practitioner | State-listed |
| 254411 | Enrolled Nurse | MLTSSL / State-listed |
| 254712 | Midwife | MLTSSL / State-listed |
| 254899 | Nursing Professionals (nec) | State-listed |
| 254411 | Aged Care Nurse | State-listed |
| 254111 | Critical Care Nurse | State-listed |
| 254111 | Community Health Nurse | State-listed |
| 254111 | Mental Health Nurse | State-listed |
| 254111 | Registered Nurse Anaesthetic | State-listed |
| 254111 | Surgical Nurse | State-listed |
| 254111 | Emergency Department Nurse | State-listed |