New English Language Requirements for Nurses and Midwives

For New Applicants:

In a move towards a national standard for English language proficiency, the Nurses & Midwives Board have endorsed the following changes to the minimum standard of English language proficiency required for internationally qualified Nurses and Midwives:

1.    ALL applicants applying for registration who have undertaken their initial nursing and /or midwifery education outside of Australia (with the exception of New Zealand), must from 1 July 2009, demonstrate English language proficiency. 

2.    ALL applicants required to demonstrate English language proficiency must achieve the prescribed test result as set out below:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - Academic test  score of at least 7 in all four components of IELTS (Reading; Listening; Writing and Speaking) with an overall band score of at least 7

OR

• Occupational English Test (OET) - Nursing Version: a B pass or above in all four sections.

3.   Applicants must achieve the above scores at a single test sitting and the test must have been completed no more than (2) years prior to their application for registration being submitted.

4.   The English Language Tests results are only valid for two (2) years from the date of the test.

5.    From 1 July 2009, there will no longer be any waivers granted for the demonstration of English language proficiency. All internationally qualified nurses and midwives (with the exception of New Zealand) will be required to achieve the prescribed test result in one of the English language tests outlined above.

For Existing Applicants:

Applications received by the Nurses & Midwives Board of Western Australia from internationally qualified nurses and midwives prior to July 1 2009 are required to meet the existing English language proficiency requirements (as advised by the Nurses & Midwives Board at the time of application), providing that the application process is completed and registration is granted by the 31 December 2009. After this date, the English language proficiency requirement will be the new national standard as outlined above.

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