October 2026

Australia Visa for Registered Nurses

Last updated October 15, 2026

Skilled Visa Pathway to Permanent Residency for Nurses

Registered Nurse sits on Australia's Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) the list of occupations Australia considers a genuine, long-term national need. This makes nursing eligible across several different visa pathways, so if one route is temporarily full, others remain genuinely open.

Between state-nominated visas, regional visas, and employer-sponsored options, nursing has more open doors than most occupations. Nursing migration to Australia is also one of the most common and well-documented pathways, with a defined registration and assessment system.

This leads to a direct path to permanent residency, not just a temporary stay. Whether you already have a job offer, are open to regional Australia, or want to apply independently, there's likely a route that fits your situation.

If you're a qualified, practicing registered nurse, you're genuinely well-positioned across multiple pathways here. Let's find out which one fits you best.

How the Different Routes Compare

State-nominated visas (subclass 190) are actively inviting nurses right now, run individually by each Australian state
Regional visas (subclass 491) lead to permanent residency after 3 years through the subclass 191 visa, with real advantages given regional healthcare needs
The fully independent visa (subclass 189) is points-tested (currently around 75–85 points) and doesn't require a job offer or nomination at all
Employer-sponsored routes also exist if you have, or want, a confirmed job offer from an Australian healthcare employer

Documents

Valid passport
Nursing qualification degree certificate and transcripts
ANMAC skills assessment outcome
English language test results (IELTS, OET, PTE, or TOEFL, meeting the required scores)
AHPRA registration confirmation
CV detailing your nursing experience