What is ANMAC and Why Do You Need It for Your Australian Nursing or Midwifery Career?

March 31, 2025

What is ANMAC and Why Do You Need It for Your Australian Nursing or Midwifery Career?

Right girls and guys, strap in, because this one is going to be a long one. This is my comprehensive guide for ANMAC, covering all commonly asked questions- so by the end, you’ll feel confident tackling it yourself.

If you think I’ve missed anything ANMAC- related feel free to reach out to me directly (contact details listed below) or visit my website at www.uknurseinaus.co.uk. Or if you want more free guides like this, subscribe to my page, because they are plenty more coming!

Who needs an ANMAC Skills Assessment for Australian Migration?

The Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council (or ANMAC for short) plays a crucial role in the migration process for Internationally Qualified Nurses and Midwives (IQNs/IQMs) moving to Australia. They assess your qualifications and experience to determine whether you meet Australian standards.

ANMAC is not AHPRA!

This is only for skilled migration purposes- it does not give you legal registration to work as a nurse or midwife in Australia. If you’re looking for AHPRA registration, don’t worry - I’ve got you covered! I have an AHPRA guide on my website too!

Once you have AHPRA approval, you can apply for a skilled migration visa (yes, the golden ticket). If that’s confusing - don’t worry keep reading.

Who Needs an ANMAC Skills Assessment for Australian Migration?

You will need to apply for ANMAC if you plan to migrate to Australia on these visas:

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)
Skilled Employer - Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494)
Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482)
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa (subclass 187)
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491)

If you’re not applying for one of these visas (e.g., you just need AHPRA), then ANMAC isn’t necessary for you. You’re free to go and enjoy your Netflix series, enjoy!

Eligibility Requirements for the ANMAC Skills Assessment

To be eligible for the ANMAC skills assessment you will need to meet the following requirements:

1. Qualifications:

Midwives: You must have a qualification equivalent an Australian Bachelor or Midwifery or Diploma of Midwifery.

👩‍⚕️ Nurses: You must have a qualification that is equivalent to the Australian Bachelor or Nursing or Diploma of Nursing.

2. English Proficiency

You must meet ANMAC’S English language requirements by achieving one of the following:

IELTS: Minimum 7 in each band (I completed this test and got an 8.5 - I have listed some of the resources to use below!)
OET: B in each section
PTE Academic: Minimum of 65 in each section
TOEFL iBT: Minimum scores: Listening - 24, Reading - 24, Writing - 27, Speaking - 23.

Tips: Even if you are a native English speaker you still need to revise! Use mock tests, watch YouTube, and podcasts. I religiously listened to the IELTS 7+ Podcast, (free on Apple Podcasts), it is so helpful!

3. Be Registered as a Nurse/ Midwife in Your Own Country

DO NOT - cancel your nursing/ midwifery registration in your home country until you have your AHPRA approval in writing.

ANMAC will require proof of your current registration, which must be sent directly from your nursing board (e.g., NMC for UK staff).

Tips: Keep your home country’s registration until you have permanent residency in Australia. It makes the entire process so much easier.

4. Meet the Experience Requirements

To apply for an ANMAC skills assessment, you must meet one of these criteria:

Have had 3+ years or more experience in your home country

Have more than 12+ months experience in Australia

I applied with proof of more than 12 months working as a Nurse in Australia, as I only spent 2 years working in the UK before I moved across myself.

Types of ANMAC Skills Assessments: Full vs. Modified Assessment

If you have looked into ANMAC already, you might have noticed that there are two pathways advertised. It is important you apply for the right one- so what are they?

Modified Assessment

This is for nurses and midwives who are already registered with AHPRA. Those of us who have our AHPRA registration through.

Full Assessment

If you haven’t registered with AHPRA yet or if you need a comprehensive assessment for your visa application, you will need this type.

Both are essential for the skilled migration visas sorry you will not meet them otherwise!

Documents Required for Your ANMAC Skills Assessment

ANMAC recommends uploading everything at once to speed up processing. So here’s your checklist:

Passport - for proof of identity

Nursing / Midwifery Qualification Certificates & Academic Transcripts

Verification of Registration - This has to be sent directly from your nursing board to ANMAC.

Employer Verification - Must be on official letterhead, signed by your employer, and include your job role, hours, and employment dates.

English Language Proficiency Results

These documents help ANMAC assess whether your experience (nursing or midwifery) aligns with the Australian standards.

The ANMAC Application Process: Step-by-Step Guide

Create an Account: Register on the ANMAC website to begin the process.

Submit Your Documents: Fill out the online form, then upload all documents at once.

🕵️‍♂️ Verification: ANMAC contracts your employer and registration board to verify your details.

Outcome Letter: After 8-12 weeks, you will receive your Letter of Determination from ANMAC, this is what you will need for your visa application.

Cost: Expect to pay around $340-$515 AUD for the assessment (for the UK readers, 1 GBP = 2 AUD).

Common Mistakes to Avoid During the ANMAC Process

Not having 6 bottles of wine in the fridge... just joking, 5 will do.

Missing direct verification - your nursing/midwifery board has to send your registration directly to ANMAC.

Incorrect employer letters - Missing details (e.g., job role, hours) will delay your application.

Confusing ANMAC & AHPRA - as mentioned, they are separate processes and are needed for different things.

Submitting incomplete documents - Always double check your submission before hitting send!

What Happens After Your ANMAC Assessment?

If your ANMAC skills assessment is successful, you’ll receive a Skilled Assessment Letter - which is essential for your visa application.

If your application is unsuccessful, ANMAC will provide feedback, and you can reapply after fixing any issues.

Additional Tips for Your ANMAC Skills Assessment

Start early: Visa processing times vary, sometimes up to 12+ months.

Join Facebook groups or forums: Connect with other international nurses/ midwives for support!

Keep copies: Always have digital and physical copies of all documents before you submit. Keep tabs of where you are in the process.

This guide should give you everything you need need to know about the ANMAC skills assessment for nurses and midwives looking to migrate to Australia. If there is anything unanswered or you want to chat about anything else Australia related (or not - I love a chat) find me here:

Instagram - @emilytheuknursedownunder