Pathway to PR after studying the Diploma of Nursing
In this video, Nick discusses everything you need to know about studying a Diploma of Nursing and the path to Permanent Residency for Enrolled Nurses. Nurses are a very in-demand occupation in Australia.
How can studying Enrolled Nursing lead to PR?
- To become an enrolled nurse in Australia, you must study the Diploma of Nursing – 1.5 years. The diploma of Nursing does not allow you to obtain a Graduate Work Visa when you finish the course.
- However, to become a Registered Nurse, you’ll need to study a Bachelor of Nursing – for 3 years
If you are not from a native English-speaking country, you will need the IELTS 7 in each band.
After ending the course, you’ll need to pass a Skill Assessment. If you study in Australia and do your course placement, you should generally meet the requirements for the Skill Assessment.
In order to pass the skill assessment you must:
- Become Registered with AHPRA
- Pass a skill assessment with ANMAC
- No additional work experience is required (As practicals are usually part of the course)
- IELTS 7 in each band
The skill assessment process will usually take around 3-5 months once you graduate.
Once you have passed the skill assessment, you can apply for the appropriate visas.
If you study the Diploma of Nursing, you will not be competent to apply for the graduate visa. This means you will need to apply for another visa to remain in Aus when you finish this course. (Unless you want to go offshore and wait)
Other visas you could apply for:
- Student visa –
- Gain credit for the Diploma and look to study a Bachelor of Nursing (become a registered nurse)
- Study a complementary course like a Diploma of Mental Health or Community Services
Alternatively, you could potentially look to move to another visa
- Training Visa – subclass 407 –
- You would need an employer to take you on and nominate you
- This will allow you to remain in Aus whilst the skill assessment is processing
- Working holiday visa
- Partner Visa
Next Step:
Once you have finished your skill assessment and are working in the industry, you can submit an Expression of Interest and request an invitation for State Nominated (Subclass 190) or Skilled Regional (Subclass 491).
Please note, that each state has different requirements, so refer to the state requirements you are living and working in.
Employer-sponsored or Training Visas are also an option.
Please note that information is general in nature. Please contact one of our specialist migration agents to know more about your specific situation.
