The registration process for internationally qualified registered nurses from countries including the United Kingdom and United States wanting to work in Australia will be fast-tracked in a bid to tackle the country’s workforce issues.

The quicker assessment and registration process, enabled after Health Ministers last September approved a new registration standard: general registration for internationally qualified registered nurses, is set to come into effect from March.

Under two additional pathways, eligible experienced IQRNs who have practised for at least 1,800 hours in NMBA-approved comparable jurisdictions could complete the new registration application process in one to six months, far sooner than the 9-12 months it typically takes now.

The NMBA-comparable jurisdictions include the United Kingdom, Ireland, United States, Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Ontario, Singapore and Spain.

The new standard removes the requirement for international nurses with relevant qualifications and experience to sit additional exams or upgrade their qualifications.

Federal government figures show more than 16,000 internationally qualified registered nurses were registered to practise in Australia during the past financial year. Of the nearly 28,000 nurses that registered to practise in Australia over the past two years, 70% have come from New Zealand.

Health Minister Mark Butler said the initiative would ultimately provide healthcare to Australians sooner.

“For too long highly-educated nurses with experience from countries like the UK, Canada and Ireland are left waiting on red tape approvals before they are able to work in our hospitals, aged care facilities and general practices,” he said.

“Australian patients will ultimately benefit from these changes, since these highly educated nurses can start working and providing care to Australians sooner, without waiting needlessly on red tape.”

NMBA Chair, Adjunct Professor Veronica Casey, said fast-tracking the registration of suitably qualified nurses into Australia was a priority for the NMBA.

“This registration standard has the potential to reduce workforce pressures on health services across Australia through the supply of suitably qualified, safe and competent registered nurses,” she said.

To ensure the standard’s effectiveness and safety, a review will be conducted one year after its implementation to evaluate its impact and identify opportunities for further improvement.

More information about the criteria can be found here