ANMAC Skill Assessment for Overseas Nurses Migrating to Australia

What is ANMAC Skill Assessment

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) is the authorized assessing body for internationally qualified nurses and midwives who wish to migrate to Australia. ANMAC evaluates your qualifications, English language proficiency, professional references, and employment history to determine if you meet Australian standards.

A positive ANMAC Skill Assessment is very much important for applying under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program or securing nursing jobs in Australia. Keep in mind that ANMAC is not the same as AHPRA (which registers nurses to practice in Australia). ANMAC is for migration, AHPRA is for work.

Types of ANMAC Skill Assessment

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) offers three different types of skill assessments for overseas nurses and midwives who want to migrate to Australia: Full Skills Assessment, Modified Skills Assessment, and Modified PLUS Skills Assessment.

Each one is designed to match your personal situation like whether you’re already registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), just starting out, or somewhere in between. The type of assessment you need depends on your qualifications, work experience, and whether or not you already hold registration to practice in Australia.
The three main pathways are:

Full Skills Assessment

This is the right choice for nurses and midwives who are not yet registered with AHPRA. You must provide evidence of your English language test, nursing qualifications, and work experience. It’s commonly chosen by applicants who are still in the process of working toward AHPRA registration but want to start their migration application.

Modified Skills Assessment

This pathway is for nurses or midwives who are already registered with AHPRA (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). Since your English skills have already been verified by AHPRA, there’s no need to submit separate English test results. It’s the quickest and easiest assessment route if you’re already fully registered to practice in Australia.

Modified PLUS Skills Assessment

Designed for applicants who have received in-principle approval from AHPRA but are not yet fully registered. You’ll need to submit proof of English proficiency (like IELTS or OET) even if AHPRA has given preliminary approval. This option gives you a complete assessment report that supports both your registration and migration process.

In Short:

There is also another pathway called Direct care skill assessment. The “Direct Care” pathway used to be a separate stream for aged care or disability support workers (often non-nurses). However, it is no longer listed as a separate core pathway on ANMAC’s main site for internationally qualified nurses.

If you’re a personal care worker or support worker (not a nurse), your assessment may fall under a different migration occupation and authority, not under this Australian skill assessment.

Understanding which assessment applies to you is the first important step in your journey toward living and working as a nurse or midwife in Australia.

ANMAC Assessed Nursing Occupation List for Australia Migration

ANMAC (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council) is the official body that assesses nursing and midwifery qualifications for those applying for skilled migration to Australia.

They assess a wide variety of nursing roles, including those listed under the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). This includes not just Registered Nurse in Australia but also Midwives and Enrolled Nurses, across different areas of specialization.

So, whether you’re a general nurse, mental health nurse, surgical nurse, or midwife, ANMAC helps determine if your skills meet Australia’s standards for migration.

Key ANMAC Skill Assessment – Assessed Nursing Occupations (with ANZSCO Codes):

These roles are in demand, opening doors to permanent residency and long-term nursing jobs in Australia.

ANMAC Requirements for Overseas Nurses

ANMAC offers three assessment pathways are Modified, Modified PLUS, and Full each designed for different levels of nursing registration and experience. The requirements vary depending on the pathway you are eligible for, including differences in documentation, English language proficiency, and registration status with Ahpra (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). Choosing the right pathway is a very important step to make sure a smooth and successful assessment process.

To qualify for a positive assessment, you must meet the following ANMAC requirements:

1. Modified Pathway Key Requirements:

Proof of Identity: Passport bio page + government-issued photo ID + passport-style photo.

Ahpra Registration: Upload your current Australian registration certificate.

Qualifications: Degree/diploma certificate and full academic transcript.

Employment Evidence (optional): Only if you’re claiming migration points for skilled work (submit detailed reference letters).

English Test: Not required.

2. Modified PLUS Pathway Key Requirements:

Everything required in the Modified Pathway, plus: A copy of your NOIP letter from Ahpra.

English Test: Not required

3. Full Pathway Key Requirements:

Proof of Identity: Passport bio page, second government photo ID, passport-style photo, name change certificate (if applicable).

English Language Proficiency:

Submit valid test results (≤2 years old) from one of the following:

Qualifications: Degree/diploma certificate + full academic transcripts.

Registration Verifications:Verification from all nursing boards where you’ve held registration/licensure.

Professional Reference Letter:If you’re claiming work experience for migration points: must show at least 3 months (or 494 hours) of paid nursing work, signed by a supervisor, with role details and duties.

English Translation (if needed): Must be done by a NAATI-accredited translator.

You should also consult the official ANMAC skill assessment checklist to ensure your application is complete.

How to Apply for a ANMAC Skills Assessment

To apply for an ANMAC skills assessment and choose the assessment type, you must first create an online account on the official ANMAC portal. Then, complete the application form, upload all required documents, and pay the application fee. Make sure your documents such as proof of identity, qualifications, and employment references are accurate, up to date, and meet ANMAC’s specified quality standards.

Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1. Choose Your Assessment Type

Choose your assessment type from the three main types available:

Modified Skills Assessment – for those already registered with AHPRA (Australia) or NCNZ/MCNZ (NZ).

Modified PLUS Skills Assessment – for those with a “Notice of in‑principle approval” from AHPRA.

Full Skills Assessment – for overseas-registered nurses from CAN/US/UK/IE/HK.

2. Check Eligibility

Modified: Must be registered currently with AHPRA, NCNZ, or MCNZ.

Full: Must hold a relevant Bachelor degree and registration in one of the specified overseas countries.

3. Gather Required Documents

Core Documents (all pathways):

Full assessment only: English test results (IELTS, OET, TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge).

4. Create ANMAC Portal Account & Apply

5. Upload Additional Documents

If requested, ANMAC may require:

6. Sit Back & Wait

Processing generally takes 6–8 weeks, although some sources suggest up to 12 weeks.

You’ll be notified via email and can also check your portal dashboard. If further documents are needed, ANMAC will request them.

7. Receive Outcome Letter

Once successful, you’ll receive an outcome letter valid for 2 years, including your recognized qualifications, work experience, and nominated ANZSCO code.

Make sure you include all ANMAC skill assessment documents to avoid delays.

ANMAC Skill Assessment Fee

The ANMAC skill assessment fee varies based on the assessment type:

In addition to this Australian Skill Assessment the application fee, there is a non-refundable administration fee of AUD $60. If you need to update your outcome letter or request an internal review (appeal), additional fees of AUD $145 and AUD $300 may apply, respectively. Payments must be made online using a Visa or MasterCard at the start of the application process.

Prices are subject to change, so always check the latest fee on the official ANMAC australia website.

ANMAC Skill Assessment Processing Time

The ANMAC skill assessment processing time depends on the assessment type and document completeness:

However, external sources report longer timelines, typically 6–10 weeks, and during peak periods (e.g., graduation season), processing can extend to 12–16 weeks. Delays may occur if supporting documents are missing or need verification. In real-world cases shared online, wait times have varied: some candidates received results in as quickly as 4–6 weeks, while others waited 10 weeks or more.

Frequently Asked Questions