Changes to AHPRA registration
AHPRA is the authority that looks after the registration for Internationally Qualified Nurses and Midwives (IQNM) in Australia. Since 2010 there were a number of changes in AHPRA registration process that saw the establishment of a national assessment model in 2014. The 2014 assessment model was an interim approach that assessed individual applicants on their Nursing Qualification against 8 criteria.
Planned Changes
AHPRA have now announced that they will be moving to a more permanent solution for assessing IQNM AHPRA registration. These changes are set to take place in early 2019, and will be implemented in two phases.
Phase 1
The first phase will be implemented in early 2019, and is a new model of assessment. The existing 8 assessment criteria will be reduced to 3, which will streamline the assessment process.
Candidates will still need to fulfil the mandatory registration standards (criminal history, English language skills, recency of practice and professional indemnity insurance arrangements).
The current AHPRA outcomes will remain the same, which is (a) registration, (b) refusal or (c) withdrawal.
Phase 2
In the second half of 2019 there will be a transition to an outcomes-based assessment (OBA). All IQNM’s will have their qualifications assessed and only IQNM qualifications that do not meet all the requirements will be directed to the outcomes based assessment pathway. This will replace the current need for bridging program for these applicant
Outcomes based Assessment:
- The OBA will comprise of Cognitive and Behavioural components
- Cognitive assessment must be passed before the behavioural component is attempted
- Cognitive assessment will be a computer based multiple choice questionnaire
- Behavioural assessment will be in the form of an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). Which is an observed examination where candidates carry out practical tests.
These changes are similar to the current NMC practice for overseas registration in the UK.
Orientation programme for all IQNM
Another key part of these changes in AHPRA registration will also see the requirement for all IQNM to complete an orientation program. It is not clear when this will be implemented (in phase 1 or 2) but the orientation program will involve:
- On-line assessment to introduce IQNM to Australia and the Australia healthcare system
- Completed once registration is completed and covers diversity of the Australian Culture
- Provided by the employer and will be based on NMBA guidelines
Implementation dates will be announced in on the AHPRA website, along with FAQ’s section and facts sheets on the transition are available to download.
If you have any questions on how this effects your planned move to Australia, just give me a call on 091-546700, send an email to nurse@icegroup.ie or we can WhatsApp on +353 85 125 1531.
You can also view our latest roles in Australia by visiting our ICE Nurse Homepage.
