An ANMAC skills assessment determines whether a nurse or midwife’s qualifications, registration and, where relevant, work experience are suitable for skilled migration to Australia. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) is the government-approved assessing authority responsible for these migration skills assessments.
The assessment you need depends largely on your professional registration and where you are registered. For many nurses, Australian or New Zealand registration leads to a Modified Skills Assessment, while eligible nurses registered in certain overseas countries may qualify for a Full Skills Assessment.
Understanding that distinction before applying can help you prepare the right evidence and avoid applying for an assessment that does not match your circumstances.
Quick Answer
Most nurses who need an ANMAC assessment for skilled migration will apply for either a Modified Skills Assessment or a Full Skills Assessment.
A Modified Skills Assessment is for nurses and midwives who currently hold registration in Australia or New Zealand. A Full Skills Assessment is available to eligible nurses and midwives registered in specified overseas countries and has additional qualification, work experience and English language requirements.
ANMAC reviews documentary evidence rather than requiring applicants to sit a separate skills assessment test.
What Is an ANMAC Skills Assessment?
An ANMAC skills assessment is a migration assessment used to determine whether your nursing or midwifery qualifications and professional background are suitable for your nominated occupation.
ANMAC assesses factors including:
- identity
- education and training
- professional registration
- relevant work experience, where required
- English language results for a Full Skills Assessment
ANMAC does not require applicants to sit a separate assessment test. Instead, the decision is based on the documents and evidence submitted.
The assessment is part of the wider system of skills assessment in Australia, where different assessing authorities are responsible for different occupations.
A positive ANMAC assessment may support a skilled migration application, but it does not itself grant a visa or guarantee migration points.
Who Needs an ANMAC Assessment?
You may need an ANMAC assessment if you intend to migrate to Australia as a nurse or midwife and your chosen visa requires a suitable skills assessment.
ANMAC’s skilled migration services cover nurses and midwives in a range of circumstances, including professionals registered in Australia, New Zealand and eligible overseas jurisdictions.
For nurses considering Australian migration for nurses, it is important to separate two different processes:
- professional registration that allows you to practise nursing in Australia
- a migration skills assessment used for relevant visa purposes
For most nurses and midwives, ANMAC states that registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) should be obtained before applying for a Modified Skills Assessment.
Is ANMAC the Same as Ahpra?
No. ANMAC and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) have different roles.
Ahpra works with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia in the registration of nurses and midwives who want to practise professionally in Australia.
ANMAC, by contrast, is the assessing authority responsible for assessing nursing and midwifery skills for skilled migration purposes.
This distinction matters because obtaining Australian nursing registration does not automatically complete your migration skills assessment.
For many nurses, however, the processes are connected. Current Australian registration through the NMBA/Ahpra is one of the eligibility routes for ANMAC’s Modified Skills Assessment.
What Types of ANMAC Skills Assessment Are Available?
ANMAC currently provides several assessment options. The correct one depends on your registration and professional circumstances.
Modified Skills Assessment
The ANMAC modified skills assessment is intended for nurses and midwives who currently hold registration with:
- the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia through Ahpra
- the Nursing Council of New Zealand
- the Midwifery Council of New Zealand
ANMAC verifies this registration directly with the relevant Australian or New Zealand authority.
For many overseas-qualified nurses, this means obtaining Australian registration before proceeding with the Modified Skills Assessment.
Full Skills Assessment
A Full Skills Assessment is available to eligible nurses or midwives who are registered in specified overseas countries.
For nursing applicants, ANMAC currently lists:
- Canada
- Hong Kong
- Ireland
- Singapore
- Spain
- United Kingdom
- United States
Additional qualification and work experience requirements can apply depending on where and when your qualification was completed.
Midwifery applicants have separate requirements.
GradReady Skills Assessment
ANMAC also offers a GradReady Skills Assessment for eligible applicants who have recently completed course requirements with an Australian education provider and are awaiting Ahpra registration.
Because eligibility rules can change, applicants should use ANMAC’s current assessment guidance to determine which assessment applies before submitting an application.
ANMAC Skills Assessment Requirements
The ANMAC skills assessment requirements depend on the assessment type.
For a Modified Skills Assessment, the central eligibility requirement is current nursing or midwifery registration in Australia or New Zealand. Applicants must also provide the required identity and qualification evidence.
For a Full Skills Assessment, nursing applicants must hold a relevant nursing qualification and be current or previously registered in one of ANMAC’s approved overseas countries.
Depending on the qualification held, some Full Skills Assessment applicants must also demonstrate:
- a qualification leading to general nursing registration completed after 1 January 2017
- successful completion of an applicable regulatory examination process
- at least 1,800 hours of paid registered nurse work experience since 1 January 2017 in the relevant approved country
Full Skills Assessment applicants must also meet ANMAC’s English language requirements.
Your ANMAC assessment is only one part of skilled migration in Australia, so satisfying ANMAC’s requirements does not automatically mean you satisfy the requirements of a particular visa.
What Documents Do You Need for an ANMAC Skills Assessment?
Your ANMAC skills assessment checklist will depend on the assessment type, but commonly required evidence includes:
- passport bio-data page
- recent passport-style photograph
- additional identity documents
- change-of-name evidence, where applicable
- nursing or midwifery graduation certificates
- academic transcripts
- professional registration evidence
- professional references where work experience is being assessed
- registration verification from overseas authorities where required
- English language test results for a Full Skills Assessment
- agent or third-party consent documents, where applicable
ANMAC requires clear colour copies of original documents. Documents not in English must be accompanied by an appropriate English translation in accordance with ANMAC’s current requirements.
Preparing complete evidence before applying can reduce the likelihood of ANMAC needing to request further information.
What Are the ANMAC Professional Reference Requirements?
An ANMAC professional reference can be particularly important when you want ANMAC to assess your nursing employment.
For a Modified Skills Assessment, applicants seeking to have work experience included in their outcome letter for visa purposes currently need evidence of at least:
- 12 months or 1,040 hours of paid Australian work experience, or
- 36 months or 3,120 hours of paid overseas work experience.
A professional reference letter is required for each relevant period of employment submitted for assessment.
For a Full Skills Assessment, applicants must generally demonstrate at least three months or 260 hours of paid employment within the previous five years that aligns with the nominated ANZSCO code. Other work experience requirements can apply depending on the applicant’s qualification pathway.
Employment evidence should be prepared carefully and accurately reflect your role, dates and professional responsibilities.
Do You Need an English Test for an ANMAC Assessment?
Whether you need an English language test depends on your assessment type.
Modified Skills Assessment: ANMAC does not require English language test results.
Full Skills Assessment: English language evidence is required. ANMAC currently accepts specified results from IELTS Academic, OET for nurses, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and Cambridge English.
ANMAC’s English requirements are separate from any English language requirements imposed by the Department of Home Affairs for your visa.
Applicants should therefore check both sets of requirements rather than assuming that satisfying one automatically satisfies the other.
How Does the ANMAC Skills Assessment Process Work?
The application process is primarily completed online.
1. Identify the Correct Assessment
Determine whether you meet the criteria for a Modified, Full or another ANMAC assessment.
2. Prepare Your Documents
Gather your identity, qualifications, registration evidence and any required employment or English language evidence.
3. Create an Account and Apply
Complete the relevant online application and pay the assessment fee.
4. Upload Your Documents
Upload all required evidence through your ANMAC account.
5. Wait for the Assessment
ANMAC reviews the evidence and may contact you if further information or clarification is required.
6. Receive Your Outcome Letter
Once the assessment is finalised, ANMAC sends an outcome letter confirming whether your skills are suitable for your nominated ANZSCO code. The letter also lists the qualifications assessed and approved work experience, where applicable.
If you are considering Australian work visas, the next stage depends on the visa pathway you intend to pursue and whether you meet its separate eligibility requirements.
How Long Does an ANMAC Skills Assessment Take?
ANMAC currently states that the wait time for both Modified and Full Skills Assessments to start is approximately 6 to 8 weeks.
This is the current published waiting period before assessment begins, rather than a guarantee that every application will be completely finalised within 6 to 8 weeks.
The overall ANMAC processing time can be affected by factors such as:
- whether all required documents have been submitted
- whether ANMAC needs additional information
- whether registration or employment evidence must be independently verified
- the complexity of the application
Because processing times can change, applicants should always check the official ANMAC website for the most up-to-date published timeframe before applying.
How Much Does an ANMAC Skills Assessment Cost?
As of August 2026, ANMAC lists the following fees:
| Assessment | Current ANMAC Fee |
|---|---|
| Modified Skills Assessment | AUD $395 |
| Full Skills Assessment | AUD $595 |
The fee you pay therefore depends on the assessment pathway that applies to you.
ANMAC’s fees can change, so for the most up-to-date ANMAC skills assessment cost, always check the official ANMAC website immediately before lodging your application.
How Long Is an ANMAC Skills Assessment Valid?
ANMAC currently states that its Modified and Full Skills Assessment outcome letters are valid for two years from the date of issue.
This is important when planning your migration timeline because your intended visa may have its own rules about when a skills assessment must be valid.
You should therefore check both the validity shown on your ANMAC outcome letter and the current Department of Home Affairs requirements for your intended visa.
What Does Your ANMAC Assessment Outcome Mean?
Your ANMAC outcome letter confirms whether your skills have been assessed as suitable for your nominated ANZSCO occupation.
The letter can also identify:
- qualifications assessed
- nominated ANZSCO code
- approved work experience, where applicable
- validity period
A positive outcome is an important migration document, but it does not guarantee a visa or a particular number of migration points. The Department of Home Affairs determines visa eligibility and points.
This means you should consider the assessment as one part of your wider migration strategy rather than the final approval to migrate.
Common ANMAC Skills Assessment Mistakes
Problems can arise when applicants misunderstand the relationship between registration, skills assessment and visa requirements.
Common mistakes include:
- choosing the wrong ANMAC assessment type
- assuming ANMAC and Ahpra perform the same function
- submitting incomplete qualification documents
- using professional references that do not satisfy ANMAC’s requirements
- failing to arrange overseas registration verification correctly
- nominating an ANZSCO code that is not supported by the evidence
- assuming an English test is required for every ANMAC assessment
- assuming a positive ANMAC assessment guarantees migration points
It is also important to check job offer requirements separately. A job offer is not automatically required simply because you need an ANMAC assessment, and different Australian visa pathways have different requirements.
Planning Your Migration Path After ANMAC
Once you receive a suitable assessment, your next step depends on the visa pathway you are pursuing.
For points-tested visas, you may need to use SkillSelect as part of the process.
Nurses may also have employer-sponsored options. Depending on your circumstances, the Skills in Demand visa may be relevant where you have an eligible occupation and suitable employer sponsorship.
A positive ANMAC assessment should therefore be viewed alongside your occupation, points position, registration status, employment circumstances and long-term migration goals.
Other Skills Assessing Authorities
ANMAC is specifically relevant to nursing, midwifery and certain healthcare occupations. Other professions have different assessing authorities.
For example, tradespeople may require a TRA skills assessment, while teachers may need an AITSL skills assessment.
The assessing authority you use depends on your nominated occupation, which is why it is important to identify the correct occupation and migration pathway before beginning a skills assessment.
Where to Go Next
If you’re considering your migration options after an ANMAC skills assessment, these IC Australia resources can help you explore the next steps:
FAQs
Not necessarily. Whether you need an ANMAC assessment depends on your nominated occupation and intended visa. If your migration pathway requires a nursing or midwifery skills assessment and ANMAC is the designated assessing authority, you will generally need the appropriate ANMAC assessment.
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A Modified Skills Assessment is for nurses and midwives who currently hold registration in Australia or New Zealand. A Full Skills Assessment is available to eligible nurses and midwives registered in specified overseas countries and has additional qualification, employment and English language requirements.
For a Modified Skills Assessment, you need current registration with the NMBA/Ahpra or the relevant New Zealand nursing or midwifery authority. A Full Skills Assessment has a different eligibility pathway for applicants registered in specified overseas countries.
ANMAC currently publishes a 6 to 8 week wait for an assessment to start for both Modified and Full Skills Assessments. The total time to receive an outcome can vary depending on the application and whether further evidence or verification is required. Check the official ANMAC website for the latest processing information.
As of August 2026, ANMAC lists the Modified Skills Assessment at AUD $395 and the Full Skills Assessment at AUD $595. Fees can change, so check the official ANMAC website for the current amount before applying.
ANMAC currently states that Modified and Full Skills Assessment outcome letters are valid for two years from the date of issue.
Conclusion
An ANMAC skills assessment is an important part of the migration process for many nurses and midwives planning to move to Australia. The most important first step is identifying the assessment type that matches your registration and professional circumstances.
A Modified Skills Assessment and a Full Skills Assessment have different eligibility and evidence requirements, so understanding the correct pathway before applying can help you prepare a stronger and more complete application.
If you’re unsure how your nursing qualifications, registration or ANMAC assessment fit into your Australian migration plans, book a consultation with IC Australia. Our team can help you understand your options and plan the appropriate pathway for your circumstances.
Claire Dawson
Australian visa content specialist focused on skilled migration, employer sponsorship, partner visas, student pathways, and long-term options for moving to Australia.
