AHPRA News & Updates
Stay Updated with the Latest Changes from AHPRA
We bring you the AHPRA Nurse Registration Updates 2025 on AHPRA policies, registration requirements, and exam changes. Stay informed to ensure a smooth journey in your nursing career.
AHPRA Nurse Registration Updates 2025
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) has officially announced an important update to its nurse registration policy, effective from April 2025.
Under the new policy, nurses who are currently registered in the following countries will no longer be required to complete the NCLEX-RN or OSCE exams to apply for registration in Australia:
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Ireland
- Canada
- Singapore
- Spain
The only requirement for eligible candidates will be to have at least 1,800 hours of work experience within the last eight years, specifically from 2017 onwards. This change significantly streamlines the registration process for nurses from these countries
For further information or assistance with your registration process, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Changes in English Language Test Requirements for AHPRA Registration
In December 2024, Ahpra and National Boards published an advanced copy of the revised English language skills registration standards. These standards are set to take effect from April 2025.
They have stated that this change is aimed at to improving flexibility for applicants while keeping the public safe.
These include:
Common ELS standard which applies to the following professions: Chinese medicine, chiropractic, dental, medical radiation practice, medical, occupational therapy, optometry, osteopathy, paramedicine, pharmacy, physiotherapy, podiatry, and psychology.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia – applicable to nurses, registered nurses, and midwives.
Please note that the current (2015) ELS standards will remain until the revised standards come into effect by April 2015.
What are the new changes to the English language requirements?
Ahpra and the National Boards have revised their English language skills registration standards for April 2025.
1. IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- Overall Score: 7
- Minimum Component Scores:
- Listening: 7
- Reading: 7
- Speaking: 7
- Writing: 6.5
- Test results accepted from:
- A single test sitting, or
- A maximum of two test sittings within a 12-month period, provided that:
- A minimum overall score of 7 is achieved in each sitting.
- A minimum score of 7 is obtained in Listening, Reading, and Speaking, with at least 6.5 in Writing across both sittings.
- No score in any component is below 6.5 in either test sitting.
2. OET (Occupational English Test)
- Minimum Component Scores:
- Listening: B
- Reading: B
- Speaking: B
- Writing: C+
- Test results accepted from:
- A single test sitting, or
- A maximum of two test sittings within a 12-month period, provided that:
- A minimum score of B is achieved in Listening, Reading, and Speaking, with at least C+ in Writing across both sittings.
- No score in any component is below C+ in either test sitting.
3. PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic)
- Overall Score: 66
- Minimum Component Scores:
- Listening: 66
- Reading: 66
- Speaking: 66
- Writing: 56
- Test results accepted from:
- A single test sitting, or
- A maximum of two test sittings within a 12-month period, provided that:
- A minimum overall score of 66 is achieved in each sitting.
- A minimum score of 66 is obtained in Listening, Reading, and Speaking, with at least 56 in Writing across both sittings.
- No score in any component is below 56 in either test sitting.
What This Means for You:
If you are planning to register with AHPRA, ensure your English test results meet the new criteria. For more details, visit the official AHPRA website or contact us for guidance.
Stay Informed!
- We regularly update this page with the latest AHPRA announcements.