What changed and when
In April 2025 AHPRA introduced the comparable jurisdiction pathway for nurses with registration in the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada (Ontario and BC), Singapore, and Spain. For UK nurses, this eliminated three requirements that had previously made the AHPRA process time-consuming and expensive: the Outcomes-Based Assessment written examination, the OSCE clinical simulation, and the obligation to submit university transcripts. It also waived the English language requirement for nurses holding a UK or Irish passport with current NMC or NMBI registration.
The rationale is straightforward: AHPRA assessed the NMC's registration and revalidation system as meeting substantially equivalent standards to the Australian nursing registration framework. For a nurse who has passed through the full NMC registration process, including education, OSCE, and revalidation, requiring a repeat assessment is unnecessary duplication.
Most AHPRA guidance articles online were written before this change and still describe the old process, including requirements for IELTS, ANMAC, and OBA that no longer apply to comparable jurisdiction nurses. If you are reading content that describes these requirements for UK or Irish nurses, it is out of date.
The comparable jurisdiction pathway only applies if your nursing experience meets the recency requirement: at least 1,800 hours of clinical nursing practice in the UK or Ireland in the three years before your application. Nurses who have been out of clinical practice for more than three years, or who have practised primarily in other countries since leaving the UK, will use the standard internationally qualified nurse pathway.
The NMC Certificate of Good Standing
The most important document in your AHPRA streamlined pathway application is the NMC Certificate of Good Standing. This is a formal letter issued by the NMC confirming that your registration is current, that you are in good standing, and that there are no fitness to practise concerns on your record.
Order this certificate as soon as you decide to apply for AHPRA. The process is straightforward: log in to your NMC Online account, request a Certificate of Good Standing through the online system, and pay the current fee (£34 as of 2025). The certificate is typically issued within five to ten working days.
The certificate has a validity period. AHPRA requires that it is current when received — a certificate that was valid when ordered but has expired during postal transit or application processing will need to be replaced. Order it close to your planned submission date, not months in advance.
If your NMC registration is due for revalidation, complete your revalidation before applying for AHPRA. An NMC registration that lapses during the AHPRA processing period creates complications. Ensure your NMC is confirmed current for at least twelve months beyond your planned AHPRA application date.
Irish nurses use the equivalent NMBI letter of good standing. Contact NMBI directly to request this — the process and cost are similar to the NMC version.
Evidence of recency of practice
You must demonstrate 1,800 hours of clinical nursing practice in the three years before your application. For most nurses who have been working continuously, this is comfortably met — 1,800 hours over three years is approximately twelve hours per week, well below full-time nursing employment.
Acceptable evidence includes: employer letters on official letterhead confirming your role, dates of employment, and contracted hours; recent payslips showing nursing employment; your most recent NMC revalidation record, which includes a declaration of practice hours; or a combination of these.
For nurses who have taken career breaks, worked part-time, or moved between roles, calculate your hours carefully before applying. If you are close to the threshold, gather the most specific evidence possible. AHPRA does not accept self-declarations of practice hours — you need third-party documentation.
Agency nurses may find it harder to document hours precisely, as multiple employers are involved. Gather employer letters from each agency or direct employer covering each period of work. Most NHS Trusts and agency employers can produce these letters within two to four weeks of a written request.
Submitting the application
All AHPRA applications are submitted online at ahpra.gov.au. The process: create an individual account; select application for registration as a registered nurse from an overseas jurisdiction; complete all sections of the application form fully; indicate that you are applying under the comparable jurisdiction pathway (UK or Ireland); indicate that you are claiming English language exemption on the basis of comparable jurisdiction registration; upload your Certificate of Good Standing, passport copy, and practice evidence; pay the application fee (approximately AUD $365 as of 2025); and submit.
AHPRA will acknowledge receipt and begin processing. For comparable jurisdiction applications with complete documentation, processing typically takes six to ten weeks from submission. AHPRA may contact you for additional information or clarification — respond promptly, as delays on your side pause the clock.
Once approved, AHPRA issues your registration number, which is published on the publicly searchable AHPRA national register. Your registration number enables your Australian employer to confirm your registered status and proceed with your sponsored visa application. Registration is annual — renewal is due by your registration anniversary each year (approximately AUD $193 per year).
Ready to take the next step?
Register on Amber — our destination training and Journey Advisor support guide you through every step of the Australian pathway.
Register free on Amber →Free to register · Founding member rates apply · Named Journey Advisor included