ANMAC- Skill Assessment for Nurses and Midwives

Immigrating to Australia as a nurse or midwife requires a set of requirements, but the most important step is Skill Assessment. Obtaining a positive skill assessment, also known as ANMAC, is the first step in the direction towards immigrating to Australia and later reside as Australian permanent residents.

 The in-demand professions across the globe is rapidly increasing over the years due to technological advancements, healthcare needs, and growing economies. The healthcare sector, especially the need for nurses and midwives are increasing across nations and the demand for nurses is steadily accelerating in Australia, giving birth to the highest paying job opportunities in Australia.

 What is ANMAC?

ANMAC- Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council, a skill assessment authority for qualified nurses and midwives who wish to immigrate to Australia.

It is an assessing authority that assesses the educational qualifications, English language proficiency, and professional practical knowledge of nurses. It assesses profiles according to the Australian medical standard required for the smooth functioning of healthcare services. ANMAC ensures overseas-trained nurses and midwives are capable of delivering safe, high-quality healthcare services in Australia.

 Is APHRA Mandatory for ANMAC Skill Assessment?

Well, the most asked question for skill assessment and candidates do get confused over this, but the answer is both YES and NO, depending upon circumstances. So, let’s know the answer in detail.

Qualified nurses or midwives who wish to immigrate to Australia and want to be employed and provide their services in Australia need a positive ANMAC report. But before this skill assessment, the candidate needs to be registered with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). AHPRA, as stated, is a registration body where candidates need to register their profiles so as to get skill assessment without any chaos. It is an initial step for the process that reaches to the destination of immigrating to Australia as a nurse or midwife.

But the candidates with educational qualifications attained in Australia do not mandatorily require an APHRA registration before taking up the ANMAC skill assessment. 

 Types of Skill Assessment

Skill Assessment is an assurance provided to the Department of Home Affairs to determine the eligibility of qualified professionals. Though there are 2 types of skill assessment based on the candidates’ background:

1.  Modified Skill Assessment

Modified skill assessment is for candidates who are already registered with AHPRA as a registered nurse. This type of assessment provides an upper hand as it simplifies the entire process for further assessment.

2.  Full Skill Assessment

Full skill assessment is for candidates who are qualified with overseas qualifications but have not yet registered with AHPRA as a registered nurse. This process is a little time-consuming as the candidates need to register first with AHPRA and then take up the assessment.

 Eligibility Requirements for ANMAC Skill Assessment

The ANMAC skill assessment is a procedure mandatory for qualified nurses who desire to immigrate to Australia and to apply for ANMAC skill assessment, you need to fulfill these conditions:

❖  Educational Qualifications: the candidates must have a recognised nursing or midwifery educational qualifications.

❖  Professional Registration: the candidates must have a valid registration as a nurse or midwife from the country they have obtained their education.

❖  English Proficiency: The candidate must have a valid English language proficiency test report such as IELTS, PTE, or OET.

❖  Work Experience: candidates need to have at least one year of professional work experience. 

Documents required for ANMAC Skill Assessment

A certain set of documents are required for ANMAC skill assessment such as:

❖  Resume

❖  Proof of Identity:

●    Copy of passport

●    The Photograph on the passport should be taken in less than 6 months

●    Change of name documents (if applicable)

❖  Qualification:

●    Graduation certificate from all the nursing courses

●    Transcripts of training, including the details of theoretical and clinical hours

❖  English language proficiency test report

❖  Work Experience:

●    Registration verification from all jurisdictions that you have been registered as a nurse and/or midwife 

Application Process for ANMAC Skill Assessment

The application process involves the following steps: 

1.  Selection of the type of skill assessment

The foremost step for the application process is to select the type of assessment the candidate wants to take i.e, modified skill assessment or full skill assessment. 

2.  Account creation

The subsequent step after selecting the correct type of assessment is the creation of an account on the ANMAC official portal and start the application. 

3.  Submit application

After filling up the application, gather all the essential documents and submit the application alongside the necessary documents, such as a copy of passport and educational credentials. 

4.  Pay the Fees

Submit the application with the subsequent fee for the assessment. The assessment fee varies with the type of assessment as: 

Modified Skill Assessment: $ 395

Full Skill Assessment: $ 595

 5.  Verification

The ANMAC will verify all the educational credentials by directly contacting the candidate's university, employer and registration authority.

6.  Assessment outcome

The candidate will receive the assessment outcome within 4 to 6 weeks. If a candidate has received a positive response, then the assessment will be valid for 2 years. 

Processing time for ANMAC skill assessment

ANMAC requires at least 4 to 6 weeks for skill assessment, depending upon the candidate’s ability to submit all the documents on time and with valid credentials. 

Assessment fee for ANMAC skill assessment 

ANMAC skill assessment fee varies for different types of assessment:

Modified Skill Assessment: $ 395

Full Skill Assessment: $ 595 

Tips for a successful ANMAC application

ANMAC skill assessment is a crucial step towards candidates’ journey to Australia as a registered skilled professional. However, without an ANMAC skill assessment report, candidates are not allowed to immigrate to Australia. So, if you don’t want to waste your chances of getting a positive response, follow these tips for a successful assessment:

●    Ensure your documents are certified and properly uploaded.

●    Prepare for the English language test.

●    Double-check eligibility before selecting assessment type.

●    Keep track of timelines to avoid delays in your visa application. 

The ANMAC skill assessment is a crucial step for nurses and midwives planning to migrate to Australia. With a positive assessment, you can apply for a skilled migration visa and start your career in one of the world’s best healthcare systems.