Stream A went live on 2025-04-23. It treats nursing registrations from Ireland (and the UK, USA, Canada BC/ON, Singapore and Spain) as substantively equivalent, no Outcomes-Based Assessment, no NCLEX-RN multiple choice, no OSCE in Adelaide. Expected processing has dropped from 9–12 months to 1–6 months.
§01Stream A eligibility for Irish nurses
- Held (or have held since 1 January 2017) general nursing registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
- At least 1,800 hours of post-registration practice since 1 January 2017.
- Nursing qualification from an NMBI-recognised Irish institution.
- Meets standard requirements: English (Irish nurses qualify via extended English-medium education), recency of practice, criminal history, professional indemnity insurance, CPD.
§02Fees
- Self-check on AHPRA: free
- IQNM Assessment and Orientation: $410 (non-refundable)
- Application fee on registration: $300
- Annual NMBA registration fee: $193
- Total upfront for a typical Stream A applicant: $903
§03Documents to gather in Ireland before lodging
- Certified copy of nursing qualification + transcript showing placement hours
- Certificate of Current Professional Status (Certificate of Good Standing) from NMBI, valid three months from issue
- Evidence of NMBI registration: PIN and registration date
- Evidence of 1,800+ post-2017 hours, employer statements per role
- AFP/Irish Garda Vetting (clear)
- Certified passport copy