How Can Healthcare Professionals Get Australia PR in 2026?

Right now, Australia just doesn’t have enough healthcare workers, whether we talk about the metro city or the regional area. Hospitals and clinics everywhere need more doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and specialists, especially those who are trained.

To tackle this issue, the government has opened up many migration pathways for skilled healthcare workers who tick all the boxes: registration, a skills assessment, and the right points.

So, if you are a trained healthcare worker thinking about making the move with the Australian Skilled Visa, read this guide, which will walk you through the whole process step by step, related to how to get direct PR through 189 visas.

Step 1: Check Your Occupation and Basic Eligibility

First thing to do is confirm that your occupation is present on the Core Skills Occupation List and is eligible for the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa.

Then ensure you meet these core requirements:

• Recognised qualifications (bachelor’s degree or higher in most cases)
• Relevant post-qualification work experience
• English language proficiency (IELTS, OET, PTE, TOEFL iBT; score requirements vary by profession and visa subclass)
• Age under 45 at the time of invitation

Do not assume eligibility by yourself. Always verify your ANZSCO code list for Australia before proceeding.

Step 2: Obtain Professional Registration (AHPRA or Relevant Authority)

You cannot legally practise most healthcare professions in Australia without registration through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the relevant National Board.

Here are some examples of body by occupation:

• Nurses → Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
• Doctors → Medical Board of Australia
• Physiotherapists → Physiotherapy Board of Australia

If you are internationally qualified:

• Create an account on the AHPRA practitioner portal
• Submit an application with verified qualifications and identity documents
• Provide evidence of practice and English competency

Step 3: Skills Assessment (for Skilled Migration Visas)

For Subclass 189, a positive skills assessment is mandatory. You must obtain a positive skills assessment from the correct assessing authority, which depends on your occupation.

• Nurses: ANMAC (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council)
• Doctors: Australian Medical Council (AMC)
• Other allied health: VETASSESS or profession-specific bodies

This confirms your qualifications meet Australian standards.

Step 4: Calculate Your Points for Subclass 189

Subclass 189 is a points-tested visa. You must score at least 65 points, but realistically, competitive healthcare occupations often require higher scores.

Points are awarded for:

• Age

• English level

• Skilled employment (overseas and/or Australian)

• Educational qualifications

• Australian study (if applicable)

• Partner skills (if applicable)

Step 5: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

Once you have a positive skills assessment, English result, and competitive points, you can submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect.

Here are the basic steps:

• Create and lodge your EOI online
• Declare your points accurately
• Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

Only after receiving this invitation can you proceed further to lodge your visa application.

Step 6: Lodge Visa Application

Once you receive an invitation, follow the steps below:

• Submit your application via ImmiAccount
• Provide all required documentation:
  • Passport
  • Skills assessment
  • English test results
  • AHPRA registration evidence
  • Employment references
  • Police clearances
  • Health examination results

Final Reality Check

Yes, migrating to Australia as a healthcare professional is possible, but the process is generally structured, and you have to follow the strict regulations.

Most refusals don’t happen because someone is unqualified. They happen because of avoidable mistakes, such as:

• Applying for a visa before receiving a positive skills assessment
• Assuming AHPRA registration automatically means migration eligibility
• Choosing the wrong ANZSCO occupation code
• Underestimating the English language score required

How Growmore Immigration Can Help

At Growmore Immigration, as the best migration agent in Australia, we guide healthcare professionals through:

• Occupation eligibility analysis
• Skills assessment strategy
• AHPRA pathway planning
• Points calculation and EOI optimisation
• State nomination selection
• Employer-sponsored visa applications

Whether you want to apply through the General Skilled Migration or Employer-sponsored pathway, contact us now for expert guidance.

Email: info@growmore.one | WhatsApp: +61 434 202 021 | Phone: +61 3 8764 3334