Frequent Asked Questions on New pathway for Internationally Qualified Nurses and Midwives (IQNMs)
- What is the new model of assessment for International Qualified Nurses and Midwives?
The new model of assessment has some new components to how we assess IQNMs wanting to register in Australia. The assessment of qualifications will continue to be against the current three criteria.
IQNMs who are assessed as holding a qualification that is substantially equivalent or based on similar competencies to an Australian approved qualification (and who meet the mandatory registration standards), will be eligible to apply for registration.
IQNMs who are assessed as holding a qualification that is relevant but not substantially equivalent or based on similar competencies to an Australian approved qualification (and who meet the mandatory registration standards), will be required to successfully complete an outcome-based assessment (OBA) prior to being eligible to apply for registration.
2. What is the Outcome-Based Assessment (OBA)?
The OBA is a two-step assessment process: a multiple-choice exam and an objective structured clinical exam. IQNMs must pass the first assessment before moving to the next assessment.
Part one is a cognitive assessment, which is a computer-based multiple-choice exam. IQNMs must pass the exam to move to part two of the OBA.
Part two is a behavioral assessment in the form of an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). The OSCE has been developed to assess that an IQNM demonstrates the knowledge, skills and competence of a graduate-level Australian nurse or midwife.
3. Will all IQNMs need to complete the orientation program?
Yes. There are three stages to the orientation program.
Stage one is an online assessment to introduce IQNMs to Australia and the Australian healthcare system.
Stage two covers the diversity of Australian culture and will be completed once registered with the NMBA and will be a condition of registration until it is completed.
Stage three is provided by the IQNM's employer, based on NMBA guidelines.
4. Who is the OBA for?
The OBA is the assessment process for IQNMs who wish to register in Australia and who are assessed as holding relevant but not substantially equivalent qualifications (and who meet the mandatory registration standards).
5. Will all IQNMs have to go through the OBA?
No. All IQNMs will have their qualifications assessed. IQNMs holding qualifications which do not meet all the required as assessment criteria will be directed to the OBA pathway.
IQNMs that do not hold a relevant qualification (under section 53 of the National Law) or do not meet the assessment criteria will need to complete an NMBA approved program of study before being eligible to apply for registration.
6. When will be the OBA for IQNMs start?
There are two phases for the transition to the OBA:
1. From 1 October 2019, IQNMs who hold relevant but not substantially equivalent qualifications (and who meet the mandatory registration standards) will have the choice to be referred to a bridging program or to the OBA (which will be available from January 2020).
From January 2020, IQNMs with a referral to the OBA will be able to begin the OBA process.
2. The new model assessment will commence from January 2020, and all IQNMs with relevant but not substantially equivalent qualifications (and who meet the mandatory registration standards) will be referred to the OBA and will no longer be referred to bridging courses.
7. If I get a referral to the OBA, when will be able to start the process and how long will it take to complete?
IQNMs with a referral to the OBA will be able to begin the OBA process in January 2020.
IQNMs undertaking to the OBA must pass each assessment before undertaking the next assessment. The time taken to complete the OBA is dependent on how quickly the IQNM can progress through the assessments.
8. What if I already have a referral to a bridging course, but I want to do the OBA instead?
IQNMs who hold a current referral to a bridging program will be able to contact AHPRA after 1 October 2019 to request a referral to the OBA instead. IQNMs should contact the Registration Officer named in their referral letter. Please note that IQNMs will not be able to start the OBA process until January 2020.
9. What if I have already started a bridging course?
IQNMs who have already started a bridging course should continue to complete the program.
10. Do all IQNMs still need to meet the NMBA's mandatory registration standards?
Yes. All IQNM's will need to provide evidence of meeting the NMBA mandatory registration standards.
11. What will be the costs of the new outcomes-based assessment?
Information on costs will be available on the NMBA website as soon as possible.
12. Where will I be able to the OBA?
More information about the OBA providers will be available later in the year.
13. Are there still bridging programs available for IQNMs?
Bridging programs are expected to continue until 2021, for IQNMs who hold a referral to bridging. IQNMs will no longer be referred to bridging programs from January 2020.
Source: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia