Australia is facing a growing shortage of nurses, and internationally qualified nurses (IQNMs) are in high demand. If you’re a nurse from India, the Philippines, Nepal, Sri Lanka, or another country, the Outcome-Based Assessment (OBA) pathway is one of the main routes to becoming a registered nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

In this blog, we’ll break down the process — step by step — and include the fees, visas, and timelines you need to plan for along the way.

Step 1: Self-Assessment (AHPRA Self-Check)

Your journey begins with the AHPRA Self-Check Tool, available on the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) website.

• • You enter your qualification details.

• • AHPRA will place you into one of three streams:
    
    • • Stream A: Fast Track- only orientation required
    • • Stream B: OBA pathway (NCLEX + OSCE)
    • • Stream C: Qualification upgrade needed

Most IQNMs from India, the Philippines, Nepal, and Sri Lanka are placed in Stream B.

Fee: No charge for the Self-Check itself. If you proceed, you’ll pay the IQNM assessment fee (AUD 410) to continue.

Step 2: Orientation Part 1

Before you can move further, you must complete Orientation Part 1, an online course introducing you to Australian healthcare standards and safe practice.

Included in the AUD 410 IQNM assessment fee.

Step 3: Portfolio Submission

For Stream B candidates, the next step is submitting your Portfolio:

• • Your degree certificate and transcripts

• • Verification of registration from your home country

• • Proof of identity documents

Covered by the AUD 410 assessment fee.

Step 4: NCLEX-RN Exam (Knowledge Test)

Once your Portfolio is accepted, AHPRA will invite you to sit the NCLEX-RN exam.

How it works:

• • Invitation: AHPRA sends you an eligibility email with instructions to book your NCLEX exam via Pearson VUE.

• • Booking: You pay the exam fee and choose a test date/location (test centres are available worldwide).

• • Exam Format: Computer-based, multiple-choice questions assessing nursing theory, clinical reasoning, and decision-making.

• • Results: Once you pass, Pearson VUE sends your results directly to AHPRA.

• • Next Step: AHPRA then contacts you with instructions to proceed to the OSCE stage, including payment details and guidance on how to book your OSCE exam date in Australia.

Fee: Around USD 250 (~AUD 380 depending on exchange rates).

Step 5: OSCE Exam (Practical Skills Test)

After passing the NCLEX and receiving your OSCE invitation from AHPRA:

• • Payment: You will be asked to pay the OSCE fee before booking.

• • Booking: Once paid, you can select your preferred exam date and location (Adelaide or Melbourne).

• • Format: 10 clinical stations, each 10 minutes (2 min reading + 8 min performing).

• • Skills Tested: Vital signs, medication administration, wound care (ANTT), IV therapy, blood transfusion, BLS, communication (ISBAR), and more.

Fee: Approximately AUD 4,000.

Important Note: AHPRA does not assist with visas. To sit the OSCE in Australia, candidates must apply for a tourist visa (Subclass 600 or equivalent) themselves. Visa application fees, documentation, and processing times vary by country, so factor this into your timeline and budget.

Step 6: Orientation Part 2

Once you pass the OSCE, you must complete Orientation Part 2, which focuses on working safely in Australian healthcare.

No extra fee (included in the process).

Step 7: Apply for AHPRA Registration

After completing all stages, you can apply for General Registration.

• • Application fee: AUD 318

• • Annual registration fee: AUD 185 (payable at approval, then yearly)

Once approved, you can begin working as a Registered Nurse in Australia.

Note: AHPRA registration is not the same as immigration or work rights. To live and work in Australia, you must apply separately for a skilled migration visa, employment sponsorship, or another suitable visa pathway. Securing a job is the responsibility of the candidate, though many employers actively recruit registered nurses.

Approximate Timeframe for the OBA Process

The whole journey can take anywhere between 12 to 18 months, depending on:

• • How quickly you gather and certify your documents

• • Exam availability and booking timelines

• • Visa processing for the OSCE

• • Preparation time for NCLEX and OSCE

Importance of OSCE Preparation

The OSCE is one of the most challenging stages — and failing means rebooking, repaying, and waiting months. Structured preparation programs give you the skills, confidence, and practice you need to succeed on your first attempt.

At Nurse Growth Academy (NGA), we specialise in helping IQNMs:

• • Build strong foundations for the NCLEX and OSCE

• • Practise with real clinical scenarios and simulation labs

• • Learn directly from experienced nurse educators and OSCE examiners

• • Gain cultural and professional insights to transition smoothly into Australian healthcare

With the right preparation, you won’t just pass — you’ll be OSCE-ready and career-ready.

Final Thoughts

The OBA pathway may seem challenging, but with clear steps and careful planning, it’s absolutely achievable:

1. 1. Self-Check

1. 1. Pay AUD 410

1. 1. Orientation Part 1

1. 1. Portfolio

1. 1. NCLEX-RN exam (USD 250) → AHPRA receives results → Invitation to OSCE

1. 1. Apply for tourist visa + OSCE exam (AUD 4,000)

1. 1. Orientation Part 2

1. 1. Apply for registration (AUD 318 + AUD 185 annual fee)

Timeframe: ~12–18 months on average

At Nurse Growth Academy, we guide IQNMs through every stage — from NCLEX prep to OSCE training and beyond — so you can achieve your registration and begin your nursing career in Australia with confidence.