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Ahpra Self-check for nurses: steps and results explained

The Ahpra Self-check is the online first step for internationally qualified nurses and midwives who want to register in Australia. You enter your qualification exactly as it appears on your degree certificate, and the tool places you in Stream A, B or C, or tells you Ahpra must assess the qualification first. The result sets your assessment stages. It does not decide whether you will be registered.

Source reviewedEdited by Alex KReviewed as of
Jurisdiction scope
Australia (national). Applies to internationally qualified nurses and midwives seeking NMBA registration through Ahpra. The stream criteria shown are those for registered nurses and midwives.
Last verified

Results at a glance for registered nurses and midwives

ResultWho it fitsWhat comes nextOfficial sources
Stream AQualification meets all three NMBA criteriaPay the AUD 410 IQNM assessment fee, complete Orientation Part 1, then apply for registration
Stream BMeets criteria 1 and 3, or criteria 1 and 2 at AQF 6Pay the AUD 410 fee, then Orientation Part 1, Portfolio, MCQ exam and OSCE, unless the IQRN registration standard applies
Stream CMeets criterion 1, or criteria 1 and 2, at AQF 5 or lowerUpgrade the qualification before going further
Not yet assessedAhpra has not assessed your qualification before, so you cannot select it in the Self-checkPay the AUD 410 fee, complete Orientation Part 1 and the Portfolio, then Ahpra assigns a stream
Pathway 1Qualified and registered in the same approved comparable jurisdiction, with 1,800+ RN hours in approved jurisdictions since 1 January 2017Streamlined route under the IQRN registration standard; the core registration standards still apply
Pathway 2Trained elsewhere, then registered in an approved jurisdiction through a regulatory exam, with 1,800+ RN hours in approved jurisdictions after that registrationStreamlined route under the IQRN registration standard; an NCLEX-RN pass alone does not qualify

Who has to complete the Self-check

What to have ready before you start

How Ahpra decides Stream A, B or C

Your stream depends on how your qualification, or combination of qualifications, measures up against three NMBA criteria.

Where Pathway 1 and Pathway 2 fit

Alongside the three streams, an NMBA registration standard for internationally qualified registered nurses sets two streamlined pathways.

What happens after your result

Common mistakes

  • Letting an agent or employer fill in the Self-check for you. The NMBA says only you can complete it.
  • Typing qualification details from memory instead of copying them from the degree certificate.
  • Reading the result as a registration decision. It only sets your assessment stages.
  • Assuming the country you trained in decides your stream. Ahpra assesses your own qualification, or combination of qualifications.
  • Paying for exams or travel before the portal confirms which stages apply to you.

By country

Questions nurses ask

Is the Ahpra Self-check the same as applying for registration?
No. The Self-check identifies the assessment stages you must complete before you can apply. It does not assess whether you meet the registration requirements, so finishing it, and the stages after it, does not guarantee registration.
Can an agent complete the Self-check for me?
No. The NMBA says the Self-check cannot be completed by a third party or agent on your behalf.
What if I make a mistake in the Self-check?
If you notice it on the Summary page, restart the Self-check and enter the correct details. Once you submit, you can only change details by contacting Ahpra, which slows things down. Wrong qualification details can also give you the wrong steps, and correcting them later may mean extra fees.
What does it cost after the Self-check?
If you are placed in Stream A or B, or your qualification still needs assessment, the NMBA lists a non-refundable IQNM assessment fee of AUD 410, covering Orientation Part 1 and Ahpra's document review. Stream B candidates who go through the outcomes-based assessment also pay for the OSCE, listed at AUD 4,000 per sitting. Check the NMBA fee page before you pay, because fees change.
Can I challenge the stream I am given?
Yes. If you disagree with the stream you are assigned after your qualification is assessed, contact Ahpra and request a review.
Do UK and Irish nurses still need the Self-check?
Yes. The NMBA asks internationally qualified nurses and midwives to complete the Self-check before applying for registration. The UK and Ireland are approved comparable jurisdictions, so UK- and Irish-trained nurses should also check whether streamlined Pathway 1 applies to them.

Evidence record

Official source ledger

Each entry records who published the source, what it covers, and when it was last checked.

  1. Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia

    Fees for nurses and midwives

    Scope
    Australia-wide professional registration; schedule effective 2025-09-18
    Last verified
    Open official source (external site)
  2. Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and Ahpra

    Registration standard: General registration for internationally qualified registered nurses

    Scope
    Australia-wide professional registration; standard effective 2025-04-23
    Last verified
    Open official source (external site)
  3. Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia

    Multiple-choice question exam

    Scope
    Australia-wide internationally qualified nurse assessment
    Last verified
    Open official source (external site)
  4. Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia

    Objective Structured Clinical Exam

    Scope
    Australia-wide internationally qualified nurse assessment
    Last verified
    Open official source (external site)
  5. Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia

    Portfolio

    Scope
    Australia-wide internationally qualified nurse assessment
    Last verified
    Open official source (external site)
  6. Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia

    Qualification and registration requirements

    Scope
    Australia-wide professional registration
    Last verified
    Open official source (external site)
  7. Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia

    Completing the Self-check

    Scope
    Australia-wide internationally qualified nurse routing
    Last verified
    Open official source (external site)
  8. Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia

    Steps after Self-check

    Scope
    Australia-wide internationally qualified nurse routing
    Last verified
    Open official source (external site)