More flexible English language pathways for practitioners registering in Australia

12 Dec 2024

Red tape cut for more practitioners relocating to Australia 

Practitioners seeking to relocate to Australia from countries ranging from Barbados and Bermuda to Jamaica and Malta may no longer have to sit an English language test after the number of countries recognised in the standards were expanded.  

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and National Boards (except for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board) have published an advance copy of the updated Registration standards: English Language Skills (the ELS standard) which see several changes to simplify English language requirements while maintaining public safety.  

Previously, practitioners who had trained or lived extensively in seven recognised English-speaking countries - including the UK, USA and New Zealand – did not automatically have to sit an English language test to be registered in Australia. Under the revised standard the list of recognised English-speaking countries has been expanded to 30 nations and territories, cutting red tape for qualified practitioners.  

After careful consideration in the most recent review, South Africa will no longer be a recognised country, bringing it into line with Department of Home Affairs. The review found that qualifications across the professions are offered in South Africa at various institutions with different entry requirements, many of these substantially below the equivalent Australian entry level ELS requirements. It was also found that some have no English minimum requirements for entry. In order to ensure a reasonable transition for applicants, there will be a 12-month transition period for this change to come into effect. 

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) have also released their updated English language skills registration standard which adopts expanding their list of recognised countries as well as other key changes.  

Every registration applicant must meet their National Board’s registration standards, including the English language skills standard, regardless of whether they are Australian-trained or qualified overseas. This ensures they are suitably qualified and safe to practice.  

Chair of the Psychology Board of Australia and Co-convener of the Forum of National Registration and Accreditation Scheme Chairs, Rachel Phillips said:

‘It’s wonderful that the number of health practitioners looking to work in Australia continues to grow, so it’s important we make the process as simple as possible while maintaining the highest standard of care for the public,’ she said. 

The updated ELS standards also have changes to the current English language test pathway including:  

• reducing the writing component score for the approved English language tests from IELTS 7 to 6.5 (or equivalent) in all professions  
• adding the Cambridge English Language Skills test  
• extending timeframes for accepting a combined result from two tests from six months to 12 months, and  
• widening the grounds for extending the validity of English language test results to include continuously working in appropriate roles in recognised countries.  

The ELS standards wording has also been reviewed to simplify and differentiate pathways to registration, making it easier for applicants to understand how they can meet the standard.  
NMBA chair Adjunct Professor Veronica Casey said communication is a critical tool for any health practitioner and the foundation for safe clinical practice.  

‘All registered health practitioners need to be able to engage with the people in their care, they need to be able to provide clear and concise information to those that need it and this ELS standard helps support this,’ Adjunct Prof Casey said.  

‘By making these changes we enable those who may already have the necessary capabilities a smoother pathway to registration.’  

The advance copy of the standard is available now and is due to come into effect by April 2025. We are focusing on improving the applicant experience with system upgrades and further update about the exact date the standard will come into effect will be provided in early 2025.  

The full list of recognised countries is:

• Antigua and Barbuda  
• Anguilla  
• Australia  
• The Bahamas  
• Barbados  
• Belize  
• Bermuda  
• British Indian Ocean Territory  
• Canada  
• Cayman Islands  
• Dominica  
• Falkland Islands  
• Gibraltar  
• Grenada  
• Guernsey  
• Guyana  
• Isle of Man  
• Jamaica  
• Jersey  
• Malta  
• New Zealand  
• Republic of Ireland  
• Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha  
• St Kitts and Nevis  
• St Lucia  
• St Vincent and the Grenadines  
• Trinidad and Tobago  
• United Kingdom
• United States of America  
• US Virgin Island

'The number of health practitioners looking to work in Australia continues to grow and it’s important we make the process as simple as possible while maintaining the highest standard of care for the public' - Rachel Phillips.

Contact us

• Ahpra Media Line: (03) 8708 9200 or media@ahpra.gov.au