🇦🇺 AustraliaGlobal MigrationAUSTRALIAN LICENSURE DESK

Ahpra & NMBA Expand Adelaide & Melbourne Clinical OSCE Testing Slots for International Nurses

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia doubles Outcomes-Based Assessment (OBA) examination capacity to streamline registration for internationally qualified registered nurses (IQRNs).

Dr. Sarah Bennett, DNP, APRN, CCRN

Director of Licensure & Nursing Education

Published: 2026-10-18

5 min read

Clinical simulation OSCE station assessment for Australian registered nurse candidatesNursingAtoms Editorial Photo Wire

Key Takeaways & Executive Summary

Doubles RN OSCE testing dates from 8 to 16 sessions per month across the Adelaide Health Simulation facility and new Melbourne satellite venue.
Reduces international candidate backlog from an average of 9 months to under 12 weeks.
Successful OSCE candidates qualify directly for Australian permanent residency sponsorship under Subclass 189 and 190 skilled visas.

Cutting Wait Times for Overseas Nurses in Australia

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and Ahpra have authorized a major expansion of the clinical Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), the second mandatory stage of the Outcomes-Based Assessment (OBA) for internationally qualified nurses. With Australia projecting a shortfall of 85,000 registered nurses by 2030, this infrastructure expansion ensures overseas nurses who have completed NCLEX-RN equivalency can complete their 10-station clinical exam in Australia and begin practice without protracted visa delays.

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