If you’re looking to move to Australia as a skilled migrant to work, it’s likely that your overseas qualifications will need to be assessed to ensure they’re in line with Australian standards.
Sadly, there’s no single authority in Australia which assesses or recognises all overseas qualifications. In actual fact, there are lots of stakeholders involved – and it’ll depend on your occupation and where you wish to move to as to who will assess your qualifications.
Ok, so what do I do?
Firstly, check out this comprehensive Skilled Occupations list for Australia. It’ll tell you whether your qualifications need to be assessed by an external agency and, if so, which assessment authority will be responsible for this.
What then?
As well as getting your qualifications assessed, you may also need to register with a licensing body to allow you to practise your occupation in Australia. This registration process can take months so it makes sense to try to get it started before you land in Australia.
Registering with the appropriate agency
Find your occupation on this list then read about if you need to register and if so, who you need to register with.
Focus on: healthcare professionals
If you’re in healthcare (including nurses, midwives and dental practitioners) and wish to practise in Australia, you’ll need to register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulations Agency (AHPRA).
Consider beginning your registration process at least six months before travelling to Australia – registration can be a lengthy process and may delay your healthcare employment.
Make yourself attractive to prospective Australian employers by already having your registration underway.
Step 1: English Language Skills registration standard
If you didn’t complete your secondary education in English, you must demonstrate that you have the necessary English language skills for registration purposes. This means you must have:
- A minimum score of 7 in each component of the IELTS academic module, OET or specified alternatives, with the exception of Pharmacy, which requires a minimum score of 7.5.
- Test results to be obtained within two years prior to registration application.
Exemptions
However, you may be granted an exemption from the above requirements if you can provide evidence that you:
- Completed secondary education that was taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America; AND
- Hold tertiary qualifications in the relevant professional discipline that was taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America.
Step 2: other registration requirements
Here you can understand the standards you’ll need to meet to be able to register.
- Registration standards for Chiropractors, plus you’ll need to register with the Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia.
- Registration standards for Dental Practitioners, plus you’ll need to register with the Dental Board of Australia.
- Registration standards for Medical Practitioners – there are numerous pathways to registration depending on your speciality and level of experience.
- Registration standards for Nurses and Midwives.
- Registration standards for Optometrists, plus you’re required to successfully complete an examination known as the Competency in Optometry Examination. This is administered by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand.
- Registration standards for Osteopaths, plus you’ll need to undertake an assessment with the Australian and New Zealand Osteopathic Council (ANZOC). This includes an initial assessment form, written exam, portfolio and clinical exam.
- Registration standards for Pharmacists, plus you’ll need to sit an examination administered by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC).
- Registration standards for Physiotherapists, plus you’ll need to be assessed by the Australian Physiotherapy Council. The assessment is three stages and includes an initial assessment, written examination and clinical assessment.
- Registration standards for Podiatrists. You’ll need to register with the Podiatry Board of Australia and there are different types of registration.
- Registration standards for Psychologists. Further details about your skills assessment can be found here.
- Registration Standards for Chinese Medicine Practitioners.
- Registration Standards for Occupational Therapists.
- Registration Standards for Medical Radiation Practitioners.
- Registration Standards for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners.
