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Nurses to get English requirement shake up
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia announced changes in English language skills requirement for nurses and midwives. New changes will be implemented from 1 July 2015.
- New English tests introduced
In addition to the existing IELTS and OET tests, NMBA will accept PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT results from 1 July 2015.
Requirement for TOEFL iBT: minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test:
- 24 for listening,
- 24 for reading,
- 27 for writing, and
- 23 for speaking.
Requirement for PTE Academic: minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking).
Requirements for IELTS and OET remain unchanged.
- Two test results may be combined to prove proficient English level
From 1 July 2015, two test results from two sittings in a six month period may be used together to meet the English language requirement.
Take IELTS for example, if you have sat two tests within a six months period and you achieve a minimum overall score of 7 in each sitting, and you achieve a minimum score of 7 in each component across the two sittings, and no score in any component of the test is below 6.5, then these two IELTS test results can be used together to meet the English language requirement.
For detailed requirements of other types of English tests, please refer to the following information on the AHPRA web site
It is worth noting that test results will be accepted if they were obtained within the two years before the date you lodge your application for registration.
The validity of English test results may be extended in certain circumstances such as continuous employment as a registered health practitioner in the nursing and/or midwifery profession or continuously study in a Board approved program.
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