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Navigating Nursing Pathways: From Junior Nurse
I have done my higher education as a BSc. Nursing and thinking about transitioning from a junior nurse role in Sri Lanka to becoming a registered nurse in Australia can be challenging but achievable with the right steps. Since I have worked as a junior nurse without official nursing registration, my first priority is to meet the eligibility requirements for nursing registration in Australia.🤔
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8 Replies
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Hey there Himal and welcome.
It sounds like a good plan. Have you done much research so far or do you have a specific question or questions you need help with? 🤔☺️
Regards
Mark
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Thank you for your response!
I have gathered some information about the transition process, but I haven’t done in-depth research yet. I’m unaware of pathways like the OBA (Outcome-Based Assessment) and some requirements set by AHPRA, I’d love to get more clarity on the best approach.
Do you have any recommendations on where to start or key things to focus on? Also, are there any common challenges that I should be prepared for in this process as a locally unregistered junior nurse?
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Hi Himal,
Great to hear that you’re looking into this seriously! Since you don’t have official nursing registration in Sri Lanka, your pathway to becoming a registered nurse in Australia will involve a few key steps.
Where to Start
- AHPRA Registration Eligibility – The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is responsible for nursing registration. You’ll need to apply through them and meet their requirements. Since you don’t have prior registration, AHPRA will likely assess your qualifications and work experience under the Outcome-Based Assessment (OBA) pathway. More details: http://www.ahpra.gov.au
- The OBA Process – This is designed for internationally qualified nurses (IQNs) who don’t have automatic recognition in Australia. It consists of:
- NCLEX-RN Exam – A multiple-choice test assessing nursing knowledge.
- OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) – A practical exam testing clinical skills in a simulated setting.
You can find more information on the OBA process on the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) website: http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au
- English Language Requirement: You must meet the English proficiency standards, usually through IELTS, PTE, or OET.
- Bridging or Additional Study – If AHPRA identifies gaps in your training, they may require further coursework.
Common Challenges to Prepare For
- Exam Difficulty – The NCLEX-RN and OSCE can be tough, requiring strong preparation.
- Processing Time – AHPRA assessments and visa applications can take time, so plan ahead.
- Work Experience Consideration – Since you were a junior nurse without official registration, AHPRA may require additional evidence of clinical competency.
- Visa Options – If you pass AHPRA’s requirements, employer sponsorship or skilled migration pathways like the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) or Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) could be options.
I hope this helps – Please let me know if you’d like me to expand on any of these points.
Regards
Mark
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This reply was modified 1 month, 1 week ago by Mark.
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I appreciate your response to my questions and apologise for the late replies.
I didn’t get the point about the 4th part above, which you mentioned as bridging and additional study. Could you please explain further?
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Hi Himal, (the other Mark here) and I’m happy to clarify until Mark (1) chips in ☺️
The “Bridging or Additional Study” part refers to cases where AHPRA identifies gaps in your nursing qualifications or clinical experience compared to Australian standards. Since you were a junior nurse without official registration, AHPRA might determine that you need extra training before granting full registration.
Here’s how that could work:
OBA (Outcome-Based Assessment) Pathway – If AHPRA assesses your qualifications and finds that they align closely with Australian standards, you can proceed with the OBA exams (NCLEX-RN and OSCE). No further coursework would be required.
Bridging Program (IRON Program, now replaced by OBA) – Previously, internationally qualified nurses could complete a bridging program known as the IRON (Initial Registration for Overseas Nurses) program. However, this has been phased out and replaced by the OBA process.
Additional Study – If AHPRA identifies significant gaps in your education or clinical practice, they may require you to complete further studies through an approved nursing course in Australia before being eligible for registration.
Since you don’t have prior registration in Sri Lanka, there is a chance AHPRA could require extra evidence of clinical competency, which might mean additional study. The best way to determine this is by submitting your application to AHPRA and awaiting their assessment.
Hopefully that makes sense?
Regards,
Mark
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Thank you so much for this information and I appreciate your recommendations. That will be more helpful to my transition process.
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This is good to hear Himal, please keep in touch and let us know if you need further support. We are here to help you where we can 🙂
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Nothing further to add. Cheers @markw (Mark No 2). Himal, please feel free to ask any further clarification questions of you have them.
Cheers
Mark
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