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Work as a nurse in Australia

Nursing exams to work in Australia

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Internationally qualified registered nurses whose qualification is relevant but not substantially equivalent to an Australian one go through the NMBA outcomes-based assessment (OBA). Stage 1 is a multiple-choice exam: for registered nurses this is the NCLEX-RN, run with NCSBN and delivered by Pearson VUE. Stage 2 is an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) in Australia. Candidates must pass Stage 1 before moving to Stage 2. Every applicant starts with the NMBA self-check.

Which exam do you need for Australia?

NCLEX-RN

Practice live

NCSBN

The RN licensing exam for the USA and Canada, and Stage 1 of Australia’s OBA.

  • Syllabus ✓
  • 1 practice set

Syllabus & practice

NMBA OBA

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Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia

Australia’s two-stage assessment: NCLEX-RN, then an OSCE.

  • Syllabus ✓
  • 1 practice set

Syllabus & practice

How to get a nursing licence in Australia, step by step

  1. NMBA self-check

    The online self-check sorts your qualification into a stream and tells you whether you need the outcomes-based assessment.

  2. Stage 1: MCQ exam

    Registered nurses sit the NCLEX-RN through Pearson VUE once the NMBA confirms eligibility. Enrolled nurses sit a separate MCQ exam run by Ahpra.

  3. Stage 2: OSCE

    A practical clinical exam taken in Australia after passing Stage 1.

  4. Apply for registration

    Meet the English language skills standard and apply to Ahpra for registration.

Who regulates nursing in Australia?

Nursing in Australia: common questions

Does Australia use the NCLEX-RN?

Yes. For internationally qualified registered nurses in the outcomes-based assessment, the Stage 1 MCQ exam is the NCLEX-RN, run with NCSBN and delivered by Pearson VUE.

What comes after the NCLEX-RN for Australia?

Stage 2, an OSCE taken in Australia. You must pass Stage 1 first. Both stages sit within the NMBA outcomes-based assessment.

References

  1. [1]NMBA. Multiple-choice question (MCQ) examgov
  2. [2]NMBA. Information for registered nursesgov
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