If you're an internationally qualified nurse planning to work in Australia, your English test will be one of the first steps in the process. And in 2025, both AHPRA (registration) and the Department of Home Affairs (migration) updated their English requirements.
Here’s the part that confuses almost everyone:
Back in March 2025, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia introduced updated English language requirements for AHPRA registration.
What changed?
AHPRA accepts five tests:
All must be the academic versions where applicable.
AHPRA also allows combined scores from two sittings, as long as they are within six months and each sitting meets minimum component scores. If you previously used an English test to obtain nurse registration in a comparable country such as the UK, Ireland or the US, AHPRA may accept that test even if it has expired, provided it originally met AHPRA’s current score requirements.
Exemptions exist, but they are extremely strict. You would need to prove that all of your primary, secondary and tertiary education was completed in a recognised English-speaking country. This applies to very few internationally qualified nurses.
The key point:
AHPRA cares about clinical safety, not convenience. Their standard is strict and non negotiable.
Your English proficiency affects two things for your migration:
For employer sponsored visas such as the 482 Skills in Demand Visa, the 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa and the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme Visa, you must meet Competent English. This is a pass or fail requirement. Meeting Competent English does not give you extra benefits in this pathway, it simply makes you eligible to apply.
For points tested visas such as the 189 Skilled Independent, the 190 State Nominated and the 491 Regional Nominated:
Higher English scores can be the difference between being overlooked or receiving an invitation, especially in competitive states.
English also impacts dependents. Partners and adult children included in the visa need to meet Functional English. If they cannot, the Department of Home Affairs will charge the Second Instalment Visa Application Charge, which is currently $4,890 AUD per person. For a family, this can easily add up to nearly $10,000 AUD.
Visa English tests must be taken in person at approved test centres. Home-based test options are not accepted.
Remember:
AHPRA and migration English are separate. You must meet both.
These are the most common avoidable mistakes Rhea sees:
One of the biggest issues is nurses booking a test without understanding their pathway. Some nurses pass AHPRA English but miss out on visa invitations because they don’t have a score high enough for points tested migration.
Another costly mistake is lodging a visa without having the required English result. For many visas, English is a time of application requirement. If the correct test result is not available when the visa is lodged, the visa will be refused and application fees are not refunded.
Strategy matters.
The goal is not just to pass an English test. It is to pass the right test, at the right score, for the pathway you plan to use.
Choosing the correct English test is one of the first strategic decisions in your journey to Australia.
At SOLVi Migration, we help nurses:
🌟 If you’re ready to take the next step, join our Nurse Registration Course for step-by-step guidance on preparing your documents and meeting AHPRA standards.
👉 www.nurseregistration.com (Use code AHPRA2025 for a discount)
🌟 Need personalised legal advice? Book a paid consultation with SOLVi Migration to map out your registration and migration strategy:
👉 www.solvi.com.au/book-a-consult
🌟 English test prep partner
👉https://promo.e2language.com/solvi-migration-e2-partnership/
DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational purposes only and nothing in this content or its description constitutes legal advice. For advice on your personal circumstances, please make an appointment at SOLVi Migration https://www.solvimigration.com.au Copyright Solvi Pty Ltd 2023