Skills assessment · ANZSCO 254424
Registered Nurse (Surgical) Skills Assessment
How Registered Nurse (Surgical) (ANZSCO 254424) is assessed for skilled migration
By Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536) since 2015 · WIDEN, Sydney
Keshab Chapagain · MARN 1576536 · Registered since 2015 - ANZSCO code
- 254424
- Skill level
- Skill Level 1
- Assessing authority
- ANMAC
- RPL relevant
- Limited
MARN 1576536 · Verifiable at mara.gov.au
- Note: To practise, you must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) via AHPRA — a separate process from the ANMAC skills assessment.
- RPL relevant: Limited — see below (Nursing is assessed on your nursing qualification and registration, not through VET RPL. ANMAC conducts the migration skills assessment; registration to practise is separate, through AHPRA/NMBA.)
Registered Nurse (Surgical) (ANZSCO 254424) is a Skill Level 1 occupation covering the nursing care of patients requiring surgical intervention. For skilled migration the assessing authority is ANMAC, and registration to practise is through AHPRA/NMBA. Widen Migration (MARN 1576536) helps nurses coordinate both.
The skills assessment & RPL pathway for Registered Nurse (Surgical)
For Registered Nurse (Surgical) (ANZSCO 254424), ANMAC conducts the migration skills assessment, reviewing your nursing qualification, registration and (for some applicants) English and employment. This is a qualification-and-registration based assessment, not VET RPL.
Separately, to work as a nurse you must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia through AHPRA, which may require an approved qualification or an outcomes-based assessment and can involve bridging study. Sequence the two processes carefully — many nurses begin AHPRA registration and the ANMAC assessment in parallel.
Evidence typically required
- Nursing qualification with academic transcripts and course details
- Current nursing registration in your home country
- Evidence of registration or eligibility with AHPRA/NMBA where applicable
- English language test results meeting the required standard
- Employment references confirming your nursing role and duties in this field
- Passport and identity documents
Is RPL part of your Registered Nurse (Surgical) pathway?
Book a consultation to confirm the right assessing authority and whether RPL fits your visa goal for this occupation.
Looking at the whole journey rather than just the assessment? See the full pathway guide: Migrate to Australia as a Registered Nurse (Surgical) →
Which skilled visa uses this occupation?
Once Registered Nurse (Surgical) is positively assessed, the assessment supports a points-tested or employer-sponsored skilled visa. The right one depends on your points, age, state nomination and whether an employer will sponsor you.
- Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent (points-tested, no sponsor)
- Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated (state nomination)
- Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (regional nomination)
- Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand (employer sponsorship)
- 482 → 186 permanent residency pathway
- Check your points for 189/190/491
Speak with WIDEN
Related occupations
- Enrolled Nurse
- Midwife
- Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
- Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
- Registered Nurse (Community Health)
- Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
- Registered Nurse (Medical)
- Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
General information only, not migration advice. ANZSCO codes and assessing-authority arrangements change (ANZSCO is transitioning to OSCA) and skilled occupation lists are updated periodically — confirm the current code, authority and requirements for your situation. Skills assessments are conducted by the relevant assessing authority and RPL qualifications are issued by Registered Training Organisations, not by WIDEN. No qualification or assessment guarantees a visa. Migration advice is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) only after a paid consultation under a written service agreement.
Questions we get asked first
Who assesses Registered Nurse (Surgical) for migration?
ANMAC is the assessing authority for the migration skills assessment of Registered Nurse (Surgical) (ANZSCO 254424). Registration to practise is handled separately by AHPRA through the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
Does the exact nursing field matter for the ANZSCO code?
Yes. ANZSCO separates several registered nurse fields, and you should nominate the one that matches your actual experience and, where relevant, your registration endorsements. Your employment references must clearly evidence the field you nominate.
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