Australia · Professional registration

IELTS score for nurses and midwives in Australia (NMBA)

Nurses and midwives registering in Australia through the test pathway need IELTS Academic with an overall score of 7, at least 7 in listening, reading and speaking, and at least 6.5 in writing.

Set by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (Ahpra). Checked against the official source on 23 October 2026.

Scores required

Test: IELTS Academic

Overall
7.0
listening
7.0
reading
7.0
writing
6.5
speaking
7.0

Scores are minimums: the score in each skill must be at least the figure shown, as well as the overall band.

What else to know

  • You can use one sitting, or two sittings no more than 12 months apart. With two sittings you need an overall 7 in each, the component minimums across them, and no component below 6.5 in either.
  • Results from different test providers cannot be combined.
  • IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted, but every sitting relied on must fall within 12 months.
  • Only IELTS Academic on paper or computer at a test centre is accepted; at-home versions are not.
  • Results are generally valid if obtained in the 2 years before you apply.

Recent and announced changes

Ahpra changed minimum scores for tests taken on or after 23 April 2026. The IELTS Academic figures did not change; the OET, PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT figures did.

Official sources

Figures confirmed by hand on 23 October 2026. Requirements change: the official source always decides.

Preparing for this score

This requirement is for IELTS Academic. Writing is usually the hardest score to reach, so practise full Task 1 and Task 2 answers under time and check where you lose marks.

See how close you are to the score you need

Take a timed mock test and get estimated band scores for each skill, with the errors that are costing you marks.

Try a mock test

Other requirements in Australia

This page summarises a published requirement. It is not immigration or legal advice, and we cannot advise on individual cases: for that, use the official body or a regulated adviser. IELTS is a registered trademark. IELTS Prep Studio is not affiliated with or endorsed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, or Cambridge Assessment English.