ANMAC Skills Assessment: Complete Pathway for Nurses Planning Migration to Australia

For thousands of nurses every year, the ANMAC Skills Assessment is the first and most important step toward working, studying or obtaining permanent residency in Australia. Whether your goal is to apply for a Skilled Visa (190, 189, 491), secure a job with an Australian employer, or study nursing in Australia through a registration pathway, your ANMAC assessment determines whether you meet Australia’s professional nursing standards.

As one of the most trusted migration advisory teams, Aussizz Group – with 180,000+ successful applicants – has helped nurses from India, the Philippines, Nepal, UAE, Sri Lanka and many other regions navigate the ANMAC process with confidence. This guide explains everything about ANMAC in a simple, practical and up-to-date way so you can begin your migration journey fully prepared.

What is ANMAC and Why is It the Key to Skilled Migration for Nurses?

ANMAC (Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council) is the authority responsible for assessing the qualifications and professional experience of:

• Registered Nurses
• Enrolled Nurses
• Midwives

ANMAC determines whether your nursing skills are equivalent to Australian standards, which makes your profile eligible for points-tested visas and skilled migration pathways.

Why ANMAC Matters for PR and Work Visas?

ANMAC assessment is a requirement for:

• Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
• Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
• Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 491)
• Many employer-sponsored pathways
• State nomination programs (Victoria, NSW, WA, SA, QLD, Tasmania, NT)

Without a positive ANMAC assessment, you cannot lodge an EOI or secure sponsorship as a Registered Nurse or Midwife.

Types of ANMAC Skills Assessments: Which One Do You Need?

ANMAC offers two major categories of skills assessment:

1. Modified Skills Assessment

Designed for nurses who:

• Already hold AHPRA registration in Australia (RN, EN or Midwife)
• Have completed the OBA pathway, bridging program, or Australian nursing qualification

This is a faster assessment because ANMAC relies on AHPRA’s verification of your qualifications and competency.

2. Full Skills Assessment

Designed for internationally-qualified nurses who:

• Do NOT yet have AHPRA registration
• Completed their nursing qualification outside Australia
• Need assessment for PR or skilled migration

ANMAC evaluates your:

• Nursing qualification
• Course content and duration
• Professional experience
• English language proficiency

ANMAC Assessment Criteria: What ANMAC Looks For in Your Application

To issue a positive skills assessment, ANMAC checks the following:

1. Nursing Qualification Must Be Equivalent to AQF Level 7 or Relevant Diploma

Your qualification must match Australian standards in:

• Duration
• Clinical placement hours
• Theoretical foundation
• Competency outcomes

2. Proof of Nursing Experience (If required)

While ANMAC does not mandate experience for every category, it strengthens your profile and may be necessary depending on your qualification structure.

3. English Proficiency Evidence

You must provide test results meeting the ANMAC requirements unless exempt (e.g., certain English-medium degrees meeting strict criteria).

4. Identity Verification

Passport and supporting identity documents must match all certificates.

5. Registration Verification

If you are or were registered in your home country, the licensing authority must provide verification.

ANMAC Skills Assessment Process: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Determine the Correct Assessment Type

Modified Assessment → For nurses already registered with AHPRA
Full Assessment → For all other internationally-qualified nurses

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

• Passport copy
• Nursing qualification certificate
• Academic transcripts
• Course completion letters
• Work experience letters
• Nursing registration certificate
• Verification from home licensing authority
• English test results

Aussizz Group often assists nurses in structuring these documents correctly, which reduces delays and rejections.

Step 3: Create an ANMAC Portal Account

Upload your documents using their online system.

Step 4: Pay the Assessment Fee

ANMAC fees vary depending on assessment type (accurate at the time of writing):

• Full Assessment: AUD $515
• Modified Assessment: AUD $340
  (Fee levels subject to change by ANMAC)

Step 5: Application Processing

Processing time generally takes 8-12 weeks, depending on:

• Completeness of documents
• Verification delays
• ANMAC workload

Step 6: Receive Your Outcome

A positive skills assessment means you can now:

• Lodge your EOI
• Apply for state nomination
• Proceed with skilled visa applications
• Build your PR pathway as a nurse in Australia

How ANMAC Skills Assessment Supports Your PR Pathway?

A positive ANMAC assessment does not grant nursing registration – that is AHPRA’s role. However, it is one of the most important steps for:

• 189 Skilled Independent Visa
• 190 State Nominated Visa
• 491 Skilled Regional Visa
• 186/187 employer-sponsored PR (in some cases)
• WA, VIC, NSW nomination requirements
• QLD and SA nursing nomination criteria

ANMAC determines your professional suitability, while the Department of Home Affairs determines visa eligibility.

Why ANMAC Assessment Is Often Misunderstood – and What Nurses Should Clarify Early?

Many nurses confuse ANMAC with AHPRA.

Yet they perform entirely different functions:

• AHPRA = professional registration (ability to work as a nurse in Australia)
• ANMAC = skills assessment (ability to apply for skilled visas)

You may obtain ANMAC assessment even if you are not yet AHPRA-registered, depending on your qualification.

Some nurses believe ANMAC requires mandatory experience.

Not always true. It depends on:

• Qualification structure
• Course content
• Assessment type

English exemptions are also widely misunderstood.

ANMAC rarely exempts English requirements unless strict criteria are met.

FAQs

Q1. How ANMAC Determines Whether Your Nursing Degree Meets Australian Standards?

ANMAC compares your degree with the Australian Qualifications Framework and ensures you completed sufficient theory and clinical placement. If your program does not meet minimum clinical hours or core nursing competencies, you may require additional training.

Q2. Why English Language Scores Play a Critical Role in ANMAC Assessment?

English is not only a visa requirement – it ensures you can safely interact with patients. ANMAC uses English scores to determine whether you meet Australia’s professional communication standards.

Q3. How ANMAC Assessment Influences Your PR Strategy in 2026?

Because the skilled migration program is increasingly competitive, ANMAC assessment quality directly impacts your EOI score, state nomination chances, and PR pathway success – especially for states like WA, Victoria and NSW that prioritise healthcare workers.

Q4. Why Nurses With AHPRA Registration Receive Faster ANMAC Outcomes?

AHPRA registration means you already passed Australia’s competency test. ANMAC treats this as proof that your qualification and skills meet Australian standards, allowing them to fast-track the Modified Assessment.

Q5. Why Some Nurses Receive Negative Assessments and How to Avoid It?

Common reasons include:

• Insufficient clinical placement hours
• Incomplete transcripts
• English scores not meeting ANMAC standards
• Missing registration verification

Working with professionals to structure your application reduces these risks.

How Aussizz Group Helps Nurses Through the ANMAC Process?

With more than 180,000 migration success stories, Aussizz Group supports nurses through:

• Assessing eligibility for ANMAC
• Preparing documentation
• Ensuring transcripts and clinical hours meet ANMAC requirements
• Advising on English preparation strategies
• Mapping PR pathways after ANMAC
• Lodging EOI and state nomination applications

Whether you aim for 190, 189, 491, or employer-sponsored PR, a well-prepared ANMAC application sets the foundation for your entire migration journey.