Get Nursing PR in Australia: New Pathways Points & Tips 2025

Australia is a much sought-after destination for stable careers among nurses and offers permanent residency opportunities. If you are into how to get PR in Australia for nurses, then it would be worth your while to check into the nursing points for PR in Australia, like age, English skills, work experience, and so on, qualifications. This will increase your chances of getting PR for a registered nurse in Australia by improving your nursing PR points in Australia. This is going to guide you through the important steps and requirements in 2025.

Latest Facts & News About Nursing PR in Australia 2025

As the demand for skilled healthcare professionals continues to grow, staying informed is key to securing nursing PR in Australia. Here are the latest facts and updates for 2025 every aspiring nurse needs to know, covering point thresholds, high-demand specialities, faster registration pathways, and more.

• Australia’s PR points threshold for nurses is projected to rise to 70–75 in 2025, reflecting increased competition and demand for skilled healthcare professionals.

• Registered Nurse remains on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL), ensuring strong PR prospects across all states and territories.

• Streamlined AHPRA registration pathways are being introduced for nurses from select countries, reducing processing time to as little as 3–6 months.

• Regional Australia offers more favourable PR pathways for nurses, with bonus points and faster visa processing.

• Specialisations in aged care, emergency, and mental health nursing are in especially high demand, increasing PR chances.

• The average salary for Registered Nurses in Australia ranges from AUD 65,000 to over AUD 100,000, with additional allowances for shift work and overtime.

• English language proficiency requirements remain high. IELTS 7.0 in each band or equivalent is a must for PR eligibility.

• The Australian government continues to invest in healthcare, expanding opportunities for both local and international nurses.

• The Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) is the designated skills assessment authority for nursing PR applications.

• Employer-sponsored and state-nominated PR pathways are increasingly popular among international nurses.

Also Read: Pursue MSc Nursing in Australia: Top Country For Nursing

Why is Nursing a Top PR Pathway in Australia? Latest Guide 2025

Yet again, Nursing PR in Australia continues to be the most hassle-free and reliable means of securing Permanent Residency. This is because the future of the health worker is nowhere near stable, not considering the increased demands of patients to be treated by a qualified nurse. Therefore, nursing, in Australia, is still a priority profession in the skill migration program. Registered nurse professional immigration into Australia provides underlying advantages in the long run personally and professionally. Here are some of the reasons why many prefer nursing PR in Australia as their migration path:

• Included in the Core Skilled Occupation List: Nursing roles are generally not excluded from Australia's priority occupation lists, thus ensuring the long-term eligibility for PR.

• Immediate Demand at the National Level: Unlike other professions, only in demand in a few states, nursing PR in Australia is recognised everywhere.

• Pathway from Student to PR: Many international students come to Australia to study nursing and look forward to transitioning to PR through post-study work and skilled migration visas.

• Less Risk of Migration: Nurses would face fewer risks in terms of policy changes as compared to other industries because of the stability of the profession.

• Family Friendly Visa Options: Most permanent residency pathways for nurses would cover dependents, thus best suited for those with partners or children.

Understanding the Nursing PR Points System in Australia in 2025

For eligibility to permanent residency in Australia, it uses a points-based system, and that goes for all professional categories, including nursing. To qualify for skilled migration, the minimum threshold to meet is 65 points. Nonetheless, in 2025, the criteria will be raised higher, so the competitive edge should stand at 70-75 points for nurses. Gaining maximum nursing points for PR in Australia is vital for all applicants seeking success. Understanding how each factor contributes to your nursing PR points in Australia helps you plan your pathway more effectively.

Key PR Points Criteria for Nurses in Australia

To help you assess your eligibility for nursing PR points in Australia, here’s a breakdown of the major point scoring areas:

Projected PR Points Changes for 2025

The changing competitive landscape will enforce stricter nursing PR points for Australia. Here’s a glimpse into the future:

• Increase in Points Threshold: The increase in competition might see an increase in the cut-off from 65 to 70-75 points.

• Regional Bonus Points: Under new migration rules, an additional 5-15 points may be issued for nurses working or studying in regional areas.

• Specialized Roles Have the Advantage: Nurses engaged in aged care, mental health, or emergency nursing may receive priority consideration and some bonus nursing PR points in Australia.

• Greater Scrutiny on English Scores: High English proficiency will not only be important for nursing itself, but also an essential factor for boosting your nursing points for PR in Australia.

Also Read: Expression of Interest Australia: Expert Guide & Tips

How to Get PR in Australia for Nurses? Latest Step-by-Step Guide 2025

If you are a nurse and dream of building a life down under, then the first question that pops up in your mind is "how to get PR in Australia for nurses". This step-by-step guide includes everything you need to gain qualifications before you can finally receive your permanent residency. Follow these actionable steps to streamline and fine-tune your nursing PR in Australia.

1. Obtain a Recognized Nursing Qualification for PR in Australia for Nurses

For one to embark on this pathway, he or she has to obtain qualifications that satisfy the criteria of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA):

• Complete a nursing course whose accreditation from NMBA leads to a PR in Australia (e.g., Bachelor of Nursing, Diploma, or Master's), 

• Have an overseas nursing qualification evaluated for equivalence.

2. Register with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency)

To be able to work legally and apply for a PR as a registered Nurse in Australia, it is mandatory to register with AHPRA. This includes:

• Verification of your qualification 

• Proving your English proficiency through IELTS, OET, or equivalent

• Pass the NCLEX-RN and OSCE(if applicable) exam.

3. Skills Assessment via ANMAC for PR in Australia for Nurses

A skills assessment for nurses becomes compulsory under the process of skilled migration. ANMAC (Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council) assesses:

• Your nursing qualifications

• Registration validity

• Work experience

• English language proficiency.

4. Submit Expression of Interest (EOI) and Apply for Visa

Once your skill assessment has been completed, submit an EOI through SkillSelect. Depending on your nursing PR points in Australia, you could be invited to apply for any of one of these visa Subclasses:

• Subclass 189 - Skilled Independent (requires no sponsorship)` 

• Subclass 190 - State Nomination (extra points and faster processing) 

• Subclass 491 - Regional Skilled (more points and priority for regional work).

5. Receive PR and Settle in Australia for Nurses

Your PR for registered nursing in Australia is then approved once the visa is approved. This means:

• You can live, work, and study in Australia for an indefinite period

• Gain access to Medicare, education subsidies, and social services

• Pathway to citizenship after meeting the residency requirement

Latest Best Nursing Specialisations for PR in Australia 2025

The right specialisation can prove to be a key factor when applying for nursing PR in Australia. Some specialisations are in constant demand owing to workforce shortages, Australia's ageing population, and the need for healthcare in regional areas. Specialising can also improve employability and add some PR points to your nursing application in Australia, thus increasing your chances as a candidate in the migration process. Here are a few lucrative specialities for applying for PR as a registered nurse in Australia:

1. Aged Care Nursing

• Given the ageing population, aged care is one of the high-demand fields in Australia.

• Strong job growth with regular employer-sponsored opportunities.

• Highly regarded in regional areas, giving you extra points towards your nursing PR in Australia.

2. Emergency Nursing

• It's a high-pressure, high-reward area of work, mostlyin  public hospitals.

• Priority placement is offered in many states and territories.

• Given the critical demand, emergency nursing has an easy pathway to PR for registered nurse in Australia.

3. Critical Care/ICU Nursing

• Intensive care nursing is going to set your application apart massively.

• Registered all over Australia and often eligible for nomination through state visas.

• Highly competitive response to nursing PR in Australia application. 

4. Mental Health Nursing

• It is one of the fastest-growing specialisations after COVID.

• It is frequently mentioned in state migration lists and often attracts extra points for PR.

• Long-term demand supports successful applicants for PR for registered nurses in Australia.

5. Regional and Remote Area Nursing

• Working in regional Australia boosts access to skilled regional visas (subclass 491) and offers additional PR points.

• Offers a direct advantage to applicants for nursing PR in Australia.

• Most remote employers actively sponsor PR for registered nurse in Australia for international nurses.

Also Read: New Laws Protecting Immigrants Implemented in Australia

Latest Best Cities for Nursing PR in Australia in 2025

Image: White Sydney Opera House · Free Stock Photo

Your migration prospects through nursing PR in Australia can be enhanced through the choice of a specific city. While such opportunities are available throughout Australia, certain cities have better job prospects, shorter visa processing times, or regional attractions that could increase points gained through migration. The most excellent cities for finding a pathway towards nursing PR in Australia are as follows:

1. Adelaide, South Australia

• Adelaide is part of a designated regional area, meaning nurses may be eligible for bonus points under the regional migration program.

• Strong demand for aged care and mental health nurses.

• A popular choice for international nurses seeking nursing PR in Australia, with lower competition and a high quality of life.

2. Perth, Western Australia

• Perth’s growing healthcare sector constantly seeks skilled nurses, particularly in emergency and rural outreach.

• As a regional city, it offers extra points and faster visa processing, ideal for those pursuing nursing PR in Australia.

3. Brisbane, Queensland

• Brisbane balances urban living with access to regional PR pathways through nearby rural placements.

• Queensland Health regularly recruits international nurses to support long-term careers and nursing PR in Australia.

4. Hobart, Tasmania

• In Hobart, many opportunities are created firsthand for state nomination programs. There is a population that is much smaller than usual, while there is a larger need for health care workers.

• Strong community support and high employer sponsorship rates among nurses in Hobart mean it will improve chances for nursing PR in Australia.

5. Canberra, ACT

• There are not really regional requirements for nurses, but Canberra does have a very focused, skilled migration program where the invitations for nurses are much more targeted. 

• Job stability and a strong government health infrastructure build solid pathways towards nursing PR in Australia.

Expert Latest Tips to Maximise Your Nursing PR Points in Australia in 2025

To survive in the migration system, you need to strengthen your nursing points for PR in Australia. The points that you amass increase your chances of receiving a golden invite to apply for permanent residency. The following is a checklist to boost your nursing points for PR in Australia in 2025 and beyond.

Latest Career Prospects and Salary for Registered Nurses in Australia in 2025

For those pursuing PR for registered nurse in Australia, the long-term career outlook is highly promising. Registered nurses (RNs) are in steady demand across all states and territories, with expanding job opportunities in hospitals, aged care facilities, mental health services, and community health programs.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them? Latest Guide

The way of migration for many nurses finds its path, but hurdles still mark the path toward nursing PR in Australia. From language arguments to competitive point scores, awareness of difficulties and remedies for them is vital for anyone questioning how to get PR in Australia for nurses. Here we look at the main barriers faced and some practical solutions for them:

1. English Language Test Difficulties

• Challenge: IELTS minimum score of 7.0 in each band is required, but for many applicants, it is very tough.

• Solution: Enrol in an IELTS/OET prep course specialising in medical English. Among the applicants for nursing PR in Australia, retesting is allowed, and it is very common. 

2. Skills Assessment Delays (ANMAC)

• Challenge: Delays in processing the skills assessment for nurses can slow down your PR.

• Solution: Submit complete and organised documentation during the initial submission. You may want to employ a migration agent to reduce the chances of wrongly submitted information hindering your nursing PR in Australia.

3. Issues With AHPRA Registration

• Challenges: The AHPRA registration can be very difficult for some internationally qualified applicants.

• Solutions: Find out the current requirements from AHPRA, and undertake the NCLEX-RN or OSCE if needed. Recent changes in 2025 have facilitated specific countries—this is noteworthy news for aspiring nursing PR in Australia.

4. Achieving the PR Points Threshold

• Challenge: In creativity, the PR point score for nursing in Australia is poised to bounce between 70-75 points by 2025.

• Solution: Work on boosting your English score, obtaining regional work experience, or obtaining a recognised postgraduate qualification to help elevate your total score. 

5. High Visa Competitiveness

• Challenge: The skill migration paths are very competitive, especially in urban areas.

• Solution: Regional migration programs (subclass 491 or 190) should be considered, as they guarantee faster processing and therefore extra points, an ideal road for those looking into how to go about PR in Australia for nurses.

Also Read: Average Salary in Australia Per Month: Latest Figures

Conclusion

Securing nursing PR in Australia in 2025 is both achievable and rewarding with the right strategy. By understanding the nursing points for PR in Australia, choosing a high-demand specialisation, and applying through the right visa pathway, you can maximise your chances of success. Whether you're exploring how to get PR in Australia for nurses, calculating your nursing PR points in Australia, or preparing for your skills assessment, staying informed and proactive is key. If you're ready to take the next step toward PR for a registered nurse in Australia, consider seeking expert advice or personalised migration support. If you are looking for nursing PR in Australia and need assistance with that, then TerraTern can be your go-to destination for all your immigration needs.