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English language requirements
updated June 2008
The English language requirements, for applicants for registration and enrolment, have been revised. Many applicants are required to achieve specified levels in an approved English language test.
While any applicant may be required to undertake an English language test, exemptions may be granted in limited circumstances e.g. achievement of Band 4 or higher in English in the New South Wales Higher School Certificate examination.
Language is an essential component of safe practice and State legislation establishes adequate knowledge of English language as a pre-requisite for registration and enrolment. The Board considers that the standard which it has identified is necessary for protection of the public.
see English Language Requirements
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updated September 2007
Section 4.7 of the Information Booklet describes requirements for certification of good professional standing where an applicant has practised in other states or countries within the five year immediately prior to application. Such certifications are required where an applicant has practised in any category of health professional, not just as nurse or midwife. Applicants who have practised in another health profession (e.g. medical practitioner, physiotherapist etc.) in the five year period prior to application, must arrange for certification of good professional standing in that profession to be sent directly to the Board's office from the registering authorities in the applicable states or countries.
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updated April 2008
The education standard for registration is a qualification undertaken at the level of Bachelor degree or post-graduate level in an Australian univerisity or other education institution that demonstrates the characteristics of Australian universities. Persons, whose nursing or midwifery qualifications were not undertaken at higher education level in an education institution similar to an Australian university, will generally not be eligible for registration.
An article is available to assist applicants in understanding the educational standards required for registration. See Education Standards for Registration.
To assist applicants who wish to show that their courses were undertaken at institutions which are equivalent to Australian universities, the Board has issued a document titled Characteristics of Australian Universities.
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May 2008
Credit for Prior Study in Recognised Courses
(such as three-year Bachelor of Nursing or Bachelor of Midwifery courses) may be permitted if
prior study was undertaken at an Australian university within a
reasonable time period and if the learning objectives and content of
the previously-studied subjects are substantially similar to the
subjects for which credit is granted. For more details, see Credit for Prior Study in Recognised Courses Leading to Registration.
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April 2007
After receiving and considering legal advice from the New South Wales Crown Solicitor's Office, the Nurses and Midwives Board has decided that registered nurse level qualifications may be accepted for the purpose of granting enrolment.
This means that a registered nurse may apply to become an enrolled nurse as well as, or instead of, remaining registered. It also permits eligible applicants from other countries to apply for enrolment rather than registration, if that appears more appropriate to their circumstances.
Any person with registered nurse qualifications may apply to become an enrolled nurse. All current requirements for enrolment must be satisfied, even if the person is currently registered, with only the two following exceptions:
• where a person is or was registered as a nurse in New South Wales under the Nurses and Midwives Act (as distinct from one of the mutual recognition acts), a qualification document is not required to be resubmitted; and
• where a person has been practising as a registered nurse in New South Wales in the last five years, a certificate of good standing is not required from this Board but would be required from any other jurisdictions in which practice as a registered nurse has been undertaken in the last five years.
Applicants with qualifications obtained in other countries may be required to undertake an assessment of competence, unless competence as a registered nurse has already been demonstrated, to the Board’s satisfaction.
Registered nurses applying for enrolment will be granted medication endorsement at the time when enrolment is granted.
As with other applicants who have not practised nursing for some time, enrolment may be granted with conditions requiring a report from a nurse manager within three months of commencing practice. If it has been a long time since the person last practised, the applicant will be required to attend a Schedule 1B Inquiry and satisfy the Board that she or he is competent to practise nursing.
If an eligible person wishes to be both a registered nurse and an enrolled nurse on an ongoing basis, two practising fees must be paid.
Caution: A person who is both a registered nurse and an enrolled nurse may be held professionally accountable at the higher standard of a registered nurse even if employed as an enrolled nurse. See Employment in Near-Professional Roles.
Documents and other requirements are described in the Information Booklet.
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March 2007
The following information does not affect an application for registration or enrolment, but it is relevant to whether or not nurses and midwives are able to gain employment in New South Wales.
Strict requirements have been implemented by the NSW Department of Health regarding the health status (including vaccination status) of its staff. It is anticipated that private health and aged care facilities will adopt the same policy in order to maintain best practice in their respective facilities.
Nurses and midwives are required to provide evidence of their immune status or to undertake assessment and vaccination prior to commencing employment in New South Wales. Even if registered or enrolled by the Nurses and Midwives Board, nurses and midwives will not be able to obtain employment if they do not comply with these health requirements.
See NSW Department of Health Policy Directive PD2007_006 Occupational Assessment, Screening & Vaccination Against Specific Infectious Diseases.
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