Can I Move to Australia as a Midwife? Full 2026 Visa and PR Guide
Australia recorded a permanent migration program of 185000 places for 2025 to 26 and healthcare occupations including midwives nurses and doctors continue to receive a large share of state nominations and SkillSelect invitations. If you are trained overseas and wondering how to become a midwife in Australia from overseas this article walks you through the exact process used by successful applicants.
Is Midwife on Australia's Skilled Occupation List in 2026
Yes. Midwife carries the ANZSCO code 254111 and sits on the Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List known as MLTSSL. This is the strongest list to be on because it opens the door to permanent visas such as subclass 189 and 190 rather than only temporary options. Midwife has also appeared on state specific lists including the ACT Critical Skills List and the Tasmanian Onshore Skilled Occupation List which means state nomination can be faster for this profession compared to many other occupations.
Because health workforce shortages remain persistent across metro and regional Australia demand for midwives is expected to stay strong through 2026 and beyond. This is good news if you are exploring an Australia midwife visa as your main pathway to permanent residency with the help of trusted Australia PR visa consultants.
Not Sure Which Visa Fits Your Profile
Book a consultation with our MARA registered team and get a clear roadmap for your midwife PR pathway.
Get Free AssessmentVisa Options for Midwives Moving to Australia
There is no single midwife visa Australia offers. Instead your ANMAC outcome combined with your points score decides which visa subclass suits you best.
| Visa Subclass | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Subclass 189 | Permanent independent visa | Midwives with strong points who do not need sponsorship or state nomination |
| Subclass 190 | Permanent state nominated visa | Midwives willing to commit to a specific state such as NSW Victoria or WA |
| Subclass 491 | Provisional regional visa valid five years | Midwives open to working in regional Australia with a pathway to subclass 191 PR |
| Subclass 482 | Temporary employer sponsored visa | Midwives with a confirmed job offer from an approved Australian hospital or health service |
| Subclass 494 | Regional employer sponsored visa | Midwives sponsored by employers in designated regional areas leading to PR |
Many midwives ask whether the general skilled migration visa Australia route through subclass 189 or the employer sponsored route is faster. In practice a confirmed job offer often moves faster because you skip the SkillSelect invitation queue although the points tested pathway gives you full flexibility on where you live and work in Australia.
ANMAC Skills Assessment for Midwives Explained
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council known as ANMAC is the assessing authority for midwife skilled migration applications. Without a positive ANMAC outcome you cannot lodge an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect for the midwife occupation. ANMAC offers three main pathways.
- Modified Skills Assessment for midwives already registered with AHPRA or the Midwifery Council of New Zealand. Fee is around AUD 395 with processing typically taking six to eight weeks.
- Full Skills Assessment for internationally qualified midwives registered in approved countries such as the UK Ireland or the US who are not yet AHPRA registered. Fee is around AUD 595.
- GradReady Assessment a temporary stream for recent graduates of Australian midwifery programs awaiting AHPRA registration.
ANMAC does not conduct a face to face test. Instead it reviews your qualification transcripts registration history and professional references against Australian standards. As of 2026 ANMAC has tightened identity verification and now asks for a passport bio data page plus two additional government issued IDs alongside a Certificate of Good Standing sent directly from your home country regulator. This single document request is often the biggest delay point so requesting it early is one of the smartest things you can do.
AHPRA Registration for Midwives
ANMAC confirms your migration eligibility but it does not give you the right to practise. That comes from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia through AHPRA. Most midwives complete the sequence in this order. First ANMAC skills assessment for visa purposes. Second a positive visa outcome. Third AHPRA registration once you are ready to start working in Australia.
AHPRA has worked to cut its own processing times through 2025 and 2026 with many complete internationally qualified applications now moving through initial checks within weeks rather than the nine to twelve month waits reported a few years ago. The most common cause of delay is still an incomplete application so gather your Certificate of Good Standing employment references and identity documents before you start the online form.
English Language Requirements for Midwife Migration
Both ANMAC and AHPRA require proof of English proficiency unless you meet a narrow exemption for applicants educated entirely in English in an approved country. Accepted tests include IELTS Academic OET PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT. A commonly used benchmark is an IELTS score of 7 across listening reading writing and speaking or a PTE Academic score of around 65 with no communicative skill below the minimum threshold. You can combine or club results from two sittings taken within twelve months provided each sitting meets the minimum score so you do not need a perfect result in a single attempt.
Points Test for Midwife PR Pathway
Points are awarded for factors including age English proficiency skilled employment education partner skills and state or regional nomination. A midwife with a positive ANMAC outcome strong English scores and a few years of relevant clinical experience can often build a competitive points score especially when combined with a regional or state nomination which adds extra points on top of the base score. Because invitation rounds change from month to month it is worth using our Australia PR point calculator before you invest time and money in a Full Skills Assessment.
Talk to a MARA Registered Migration Agent
Get your ANMAC eligibility and points score checked before you spend on assessments or English tests.
Step by Step Plan to Migrate as a Midwife
- Confirm your ANZSCO code and check whether Full or Modified Skills Assessment applies to you
- Request your Certificate of Good Standing from your home regulator as early as possible
- Book and sit your English test choosing IELTS OET PTE or TOEFL based on your comfort and availability
- Submit your ANMAC application with certified documents and professional references
- Once you receive a positive outcome calculate your points and lodge an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect
- Accept your invitation and lodge your visa application for subclass 189 190 491 482 or 494 depending on your circumstances
- Apply for AHPRA registration once your visa is granted or approaching grant so you are ready to start work
Ready to Start Your Midwife Migration Journey
Our team has guided healthcare professionals through ANMAC AHPRA and every major visa subclass under our Australia immigration services. Let us map out your fastest route to Australian PR.
Speak to Our TeamFrequently Asked Questions
Can I move to Australia as a midwife without AHPRA registration first
Yes. You need a positive ANMAC skills assessment to apply for your visa. AHPRA registration is only required once you are ready to actually practise in Australia so it can be completed after your visa is granted.
Which visa is best for a midwife wanting permanent residency
Subclass 189 is the most flexible permanent option if you have enough points. Subclass 190 and 491 add extra points through state or regional nomination and can be faster for midwives with a moderate points score.
How long does the ANMAC skills assessment take
Both the Modified and Full Skills Assessment typically take six to eight weeks once ANMAC receives a complete application including your Certificate of Good Standing and English test results.
Do I need a job offer to migrate as a midwife
No. You can migrate through the points tested subclass 189 190 or 491 pathways without a job offer. A confirmed job offer only becomes necessary for the employer sponsored subclass 482 or 494 routes.
What English score do midwives need for Australian PR
A common benchmark is IELTS 7 across all four bands or PTE Academic around 65 with no communicative skill below the minimum threshold. OET and TOEFL iBT are also accepted and results can be clubbed across two sittings within twelve months.
