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IHM · Australian Nursing Practice

Study Australian Nursing Practice, your way.(Registered Nurse Bridging Program)

Six clear options: the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Nursing (Australian Nursing Practice) studied online, a pathway on to IHM's two-year Master of Nursing on campus, the Australian Nursing Practice Micro-Credential Package, two weeks of simulation in Melbourne, professional experience placements for registered nurses, and one week of clinical observation for visiting nurses and students. Taught by Australian registered nurses, with Caring with Passion.

Choose your pathwayCompare the options
Graduate Certificate · AUD $8,000With OSCE training · AUD $10,000Micro-credential · AUD $5,000Six start dates in 2027TEQSA PRV14040
Your options at a glance

Six options for your Australian nursing journey

Part 1

Graduate Certificate

Australian Nursing Practice, three units online. AUD $8,000, or AUD $10,000 with optional two-week OSCE training.

See the Graduate Certificate Part 2

Graduate Certificate + Master of Nursing

The Graduate Certificate online, then IHM's two-year Master of Nursing on campus. Two qualifications.

See the progression pathway Part 3

Micro-Credential Package

N8001 online plus two weeks of simulation in Melbourne. AUD $5,000. A single unit, not a full qualification.

See the package Part 4

Two Weeks in Melbourne

OSCE preparation and nursing simulation, starting every month. Only AUD $2,000.

See the two-week offer Part 5

Professional Experience Placement

For nurses already registered with Ahpra: four weeks of supervised clinical experience. AUD $3,000.

Register your interest Part 6

Clinical Observation

For visiting nurses, nursing professionals and students: one week observing in Australian healthcare settings. AUD $1,000, or AUD $3,000 with Part 4.

See clinical observation

Fees, 2027 dates, new delivery arrangements, placements and observation places are subject to approval and host agreements.

Part 1

Australian Nursing Practice Graduate Certificate

Choose your pathway, then find everything about the Graduate Certificate in one place: course overview, structure, delivery, intake dates and fees.

One course, three pathways

Choose Your Australian Nursing Pathway

Where are you in your nursing journey? Every student studies the same accredited course — N9001, N8001 and N8002 — and earns the same qualification. Your pathway shapes the advice and support we give you; your study option shapes where and how you learn.

Pathway 1 · Explore

Explore Australian Nursing Practice

Best for: registered nurses from overseas who want to understand Australian nursing before deciding their next step.

  • Australian nursing education online, with optional two weeks in Melbourne
  • Australian standards, cultural safety and person-centred care
  • Take your practice home, or plan your next step, including the Master of Nursing on campus

Study option: Hybrid Global Edition (study from home, with optional ten days in Melbourne), with progression to the on-campus Master of Nursing.

Explore this pathway →Enquire
Pathway 2 · Prepare

Prepare for Australian Nursing Registration

Best for: nurses in the NMBA/Ahpra assessment process (for example, preparing for the OSCE).

  • For nurses in the NMBA/Ahpra assessment process
  • Online academic learning with simulation in Melbourne
  • Optional two-week OSCE training in Melbourne

Study option: Hybrid Global Edition, ideally with the optional two-week OSCE training (AUD $10,000 total). Preparation only — the OSCE is run by Ahpra and no result is guaranteed.

Explore this pathway →Enquire
Pathway 3 · Advance

Advance Your Nursing Career

Best for: nurses already registered with the NMBA who want an Australian postgraduate qualification.

  • For nurses already registered with the NMBA
  • Australian workplace expectations and networks
  • A first step towards IHM's Master of Nursing

Study option: Hybrid Global Edition (online, one unit at a time, if your visa permits study), then the two-year Master of Nursing on campus. Only N9001 is intended to receive credit, subject to IHM's Credit Policy.

Explore this pathway →Enquire

Which pathway fits me? Answer two questions.

My registration status
My study plan

Your suggestion appears here

Choose one answer in each group. An adviser will confirm what suits you.

ExplorePrepareAdvance
ObjectiveUnderstand and experience Australian nursing practiceBuild Australian practice knowledge and OSCE readiness alongside accredited studyStrengthen your Australian career with a postgraduate qualification
Registration statusRegistered in your home countryIn the NMBA/Ahpra assessment processRegistered with the NMBA
Study arrangementHybrid Global EditionHybrid Global Edition, with optional OSCE trainingHybrid Global Edition (study while you work, if your visa permits), then the Master of Nursing on campus
Two-week OSCE trainingOptional; builds clinical confidenceOptional; recommended for your goalOptional
FeeAUD $8,000 for the programme, or AUD $10,000 total with the optional two-week OSCE training (subject to approval)
Potential benefitsAQF Level 8 qualification; Australian standards; time to plan your next stepStructured practice in Australian scenariosAustralian workplace expectations and networks; first step towards the Master of Nursing*
Please noteDoes not lead to NMBA registrationNo OSCE result, date or venue is guaranteed; the NMBA does not endorse preparation programsEmployment is never guaranteed

*Only N9001 is intended to receive credit towards the Master of Nursing, subject to IHM admission requirements and Credit Policy.

Course overview

Approved course and delivery plan

Approved course

  • Graduate Certificate in Advanced Nursing (Australian Nursing Practice), AQF Level 8, 32 credit points
  • Units: N9001 Professional Issues and Policies in Nursing (12 cp), N8001 Australian Nursing Practice (12 cp), N8002 Professional Reflection in Australian Nursing Practice (8 cp)

Delivery plan

  • Six 2027 start dates, with N8001 offered at every intake
  • Hybrid Global Edition: online units, with optional two-week OSCE training in Melbourne
  • Fees: AUD $8,000 for the programme, or AUD $10,000 with OSCE training
Course structure and delivery

Three units, one unit at a time

Unit 1 · 12 credit points
N9001

Professional Issues and Policies in Nursing. Your starting point: the Australian health system, policy and professional practice.

Unit 2 · 12 credit points
N8001

Australian Nursing Practice. Assessment and management of complex conditions, person-centred care and cultural safety.

Unit 3 · 8 credit points
N8002

Professional Reflection in Australian Nursing Practice. Reflect on your practice, including what you practised in simulation.

N9001→N8001 (N9001 completed or in progress)→N8002 (optional two-week OSCE training)→Graduate Certificate

Hybrid Global Edition: one unit per seven-week block, 32 credit points at AQF Level 8. N9001 is the unit intended to receive credit towards the Master of Nursing.

Timetable and intake dates*

Six start dates in 2027

N9001, N8001 and N8002 are each offered at every 2027 intake in the Australian Nursing Practice stream, so you move from one unit to the next without a gap.

MONDAY
4
January
Apply by 30 Dec
MONDAY
1
March
Apply by 24 Feb
MONDAY
3
May
Apply by 28 Apr
MONDAY
5
July
Apply by 30 Jun
MONDAY
6
September
Apply by 1 Sep
MONDAY
1
November
Apply by 27 Oct

The monthly Melbourne simulation training belongs to the micro-credential package; see Part 3.

N9001 onlineN8001 onlineOptional two-week OSCE training, MelbourneN8002 online
StartN9001N8001Optional OSCE trainingN8002Results
4 Jan 20274 Jan – 21 Feb1 Mar – 18 Apr 20273 May – 14 May 20273 May – 20 Jun 20279 Jul 2027
1 Mar 20271 Mar – 18 Apr3 May – 20 Jun 20275 Jul – 16 Jul 20275 Jul – 22 Aug 202710 Sep 2027
3 May 20273 May – 20 Jun5 Jul – 22 Aug 20276 Sep – 17 Sep 20276 Sep – 24 Oct 202712 Nov 2027
5 Jul 20275 Jul – 22 Aug6 Sep – 24 Oct 20271 Nov – 12 Nov 20271 Nov – 19 Dec 202714 Jan 2028
6 Sep 20276 Sep – 24 Oct1 Nov – 19 Dec 20273 Jan – 14 Jan 20283 Jan – 20 Feb 202810 Mar 2028
1 Nov 20271 Nov – 19 Dec3 Jan – 20 Feb 20286 Mar – 17 Mar 20286 Mar – 23 Apr 202812 May 2028

*Hybrid Global Edition plan shown. Dates subject to approval; 2028 dates are indicative. "Apply by" is the enrolment and fee deadline. An intake may be rescheduled if approvals or minimum enrolments are not met; you would be offered the next intake or a refund under IHM's fees policy.

Graduate Certificate fees

Choose the programme only, or add OSCE training

Programme only
Graduate Certificate programme: AUD $8,000

All three units online: N9001, N8001 and N8002. No time in Melbourne required.

Programme + optional training
Graduate Certificate programme + two weeks of on-campus OSCE training: AUD $10,000 total

The same three units, plus ten days of OSCE simulation training at North Melbourne, timed at the start of your N8002 block.

The two-week OSCE training is optional. Fees are subject to IHM's formal fee approval. They do not include NMBA or Ahpra examination fees, travel, accommodation, visa or insurance costs. The micro-credential package (Part 3) has its own separate fee.

Eligibility and admission

Can I apply for the Graduate Certificate?

Entry requirements

  • Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent, or a three-year Diploma of Nursing leading to RN registration plus at least one year of experience
  • Current registration as a nurse (home country or Ahpra)
  • English language proficiency, or an English waiver where eligible: see IHM's English Language Proficiency or English Waiver requirements
  • N9001 is always your first unit; you study one unit at a time (Hybrid Global Edition)

Visas

  • Hybrid Global Edition: not available to student-visa holders; online study from overseas needs no Australian visa, and you are responsible for a visa that permits travel if you choose the optional OSCE training
  • Master of Nursing and micro-credential visa information is in Part 2 and Part 3
  • IHM does not give migration advice. Check with the Department of Home Affairs
Part 2

Hybrid Global Edition: Australian Nursing Practice + Master of Nursing on Campus

A progression option: the Graduate Certificate online, then IHM's two-year Master of Nursing on campus in Melbourne.

Progression option · Two qualifications

Two qualifications, one pathway

Unlike the standalone Graduate Certificate in Part 1, this is a two-qualification progression. The intended pathway for international nurses: start the Graduate Certificate from home, gain the qualification, pursue Australian registration, then come to Melbourne for IHM's two-year Master of Nursing on campus.

Step 1 · Study online

GCAN Australian Nursing Practice, Hybrid Global Edition

Complete N9001, N8001 and N8002 online, one unit at a time, with optional two-week OSCE training at North Melbourne.

Step 2 · Qualify, then register

Graduate Certificate, then Ahpra registration

Completing the course earns the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Nursing. Registration is a separate step: you apply to the NMBA through Ahpra under the pathway that applies to you. The course does not confer registration.

Step 3 · Study in Melbourne

Master of Nursing on campus

Progress to Australia for the two-year, on-campus Master of Nursing at IHM, subject to admission and visa requirements.

Qualification 1: Graduate Certificate in Advanced Nursing (Australian Nursing Practice)Qualification 2: Master of Nursing
Step 1 · Online, with optional Melbourne training

Hybrid Global Edition

For
International nurses studying from home overseas, or in Australia on a visa that permits study. Not for student-visa holders
Teaching
One unit at a time, online, in seven-week blocks: N9001, then N8001, then N8002
In Melbourne
Two weeks, 10-day OSCE simulation (Optional).
Duration
About 24–25 weeks for every 2027 start date, then results
Fee
AUD $8,000 for the programme, or AUD $10,000 with the optional OSCE training (subject to approval)
Starts
Six start dates in 2027 (below)
Outcome
Graduate Certificate in Advanced Nursing (AQF Level 8). Does not confer NMBA registration
Enquire about the Hybrid Global Edition
Step 2 · On campus in Melbourne

Master of Nursing

Duration
Two years, on campus in Melbourne. This is not an accelerated course
Credit
Only N9001 Professional Issues and Policies in Nursing, which is common to both courses, is intended to receive credit, subject to IHM's Credit Policy
Entry
Subject to Master of Nursing admission requirements, including English language requirements
Visa
You need a visa that permits on-campus study in Australia, usually a student visa (subclass 500), and must meet Home Affairs requirements
Outcome
Master of Nursing from IHM, your second qualification
Enquire about the Master of Nursing pathway

Progression is not automatic. Admission to the Master of Nursing, a student visa and NMBA registration are each separate decisions made by IHM, the Department of Home Affairs and the NMBA respectively. Neither qualification guarantees registration, employment or a migration outcome.

Part 3

Micro-Credential Package

A separate professional development offer: N8001 online plus two weeks of simulation in Melbourne, for individuals, student-visa holders and hospital partners.

Flagship international professional development

Australian Nursing Practice Micro-Credential Package

Experience Australian Nursing Practice in Melbourne. Study the postgraduate unit N8001 Australian Nursing Practice online from home, then join two weeks of intensive simulation and practical training with experienced Australian registered nurse educators at our North Melbourne campus.

Not yet open for enrolment. You can enquire now and we will contact you when approvals are confirmed.
Step 1 · Online

Study N8001 online

Australian standards, person-centred care and safe practice, studied online in a seven-week block. Six N8001 start dates in 2027.

Step 2 · Get ready

Readiness and travel

Complete N8001 assessments and pre-arrival modules, then arrange the right visa, travel and insurance with our guidance.

Step 3 · Melbourne

Two weeks in Melbourne, every month

Ten days of simulation in North Melbourne: handover, the deteriorating patient, medication safety and a specialty focus of your choice.

What you experience

  • Australian standards and practices: NMBA standards for practice, the NSQHS Standards, ISBAR and clinical documentation
  • Intensive simulation: realistic scenarios in our North Melbourne simulation laboratory, in small groups
  • Experienced educators: Australian registered nurses, with specialty educators and practitioners contributing
  • Cultural safety: culturally safe care, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
  • Recognition: an academic transcript for N8001 when it is completed with assessment, and a certificate of completion for the Melbourne training. Student-visa holders who take N8001 as a non-assessed CPD programme receive a certificate of completion, not a transcript or academic credit. Credit towards the GCAN and any CPD recognition apply only under approved arrangements

Explore a specialty

Critical careEmergencyAged careMental healthPerioperativePaediatricRenalRehabilitationCommunityLeadership and patient safetyDigital health

Specialty days run within the two weeks when minimum group numbers are met. Hospitals and institutions can request a customised specialty focus.

Internationally qualified nursesConsidering Australian registration, from India, the UK, Ireland, Singapore, Japan, China and beyond
Australian-registered, living overseasRefresh your knowledge of current Australian practice before you return
Exploring, not registeringExperience how nursing works in Australia for your own professional growth
Experienced specialist nursesCompare your specialty with Australian practice and models of care
Hospitals and healthcare employers · Partnership

Partner with IHM to Support Internationally Recruited Nurses

For Australian hospitals, health services, aged-care providers and other industry organisations recruiting nurses from Ireland, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and other countries. IHM can help your nurses understand Australian professional expectations and prepare for safe practice in the Australian healthcare system.

Registration pathways differ

  • New Zealand: registration under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act, in the same category as current New Zealand practising registration
  • Comparable jurisdictions (including the UK, Ireland, the United States, Singapore and Spain): the NMBA streamlined standard, in effect since 23 April 2025, with no NMBA examinations for eligible nurses who meet its practice criteria
  • Other internationally qualified nurses: NMBA assessment in Stream A, or Stream B, which includes the MCQ exam and the OSCE

What the NMBA requires: internationally qualified nurses registered through the NMBA assessment process complete the NMBA's online Orientation Part 2 within six months of registration. The NMBA expects employers to provide local orientation through an induction program. Requirements vary by pathway, so confirm each nurse's obligations with Ahpra.

What a partnership could include

  • N8001 Australian Nursing Practice studied online as a cohort, before arrival or early in employment
  • Australian healthcare orientation module: the health system, NMBA standards, the NSQHS Standards, person-centred and culturally safe care
  • Two weeks of simulation-based training at North Melbourne, tailored to your service, your nurses' backgrounds and their specialty
  • Specialty-focused sessions, for example aged care, mental health, critical care or perioperative
  • Customised cohorts and dates, with group enrolments and negotiated group discounts
Nurses already registered in AustraliaOrientation and simulation-based transition training: Australian practice, communication, escalation, medication safety and documentation in a safe simulated setting. This is not exam preparation.
Nurses still pursuing registration (Stream B)OSCE preparation is a separate option for nurses who must sit the NMBA OSCE. It does not guarantee an OSCE result or registration.
IHM providesAustralian practice context, structured learning and simulation before or alongside employment
Your organisation continues to provideWorkplace induction, local policies and systems, competency assessment, scope of practice, preceptorship and ongoing support
Hospital and industry partnership enquiry IHM's training complements, and does not replace, your own induction or any NMBA requirement. The package is not endorsed by the NMBA or Ahpra.
Colleges, universities and associationsGroup programs for students, faculty or members
International students already in AustraliaStudying nursing, public health, healthcare or another postgraduate course on a student visa? You may be able to join. Check how
Package fee
Australian Nursing Practice Micro-Credential Package: AUD $5,000

Standard package fee, covering N8001 Australian Nursing Practice online and two weeks of simulation training at North Melbourne. Subject to IHM's formal fee approval. Travel, accommodation, visa and insurance costs are not included.

Group discounts

Group discounts are available for industry partners, hospitals, nursing colleges, educational institutions, and recruitment consultants arranging group enrolments.

Group discounts are negotiated case by case, based on group size and the partnership agreement. They are not fixed or advertised rates.

Enquire About Group Discounts

Key details

N8001 start dates
4 Jan, 1 Mar, 3 May, 5 Jul, 6 Sep, 1 Nov 2027
Melbourne training
Two weeks every month, January to December 2027, starting the first Monday of the month
Where
IHM North Melbourne campus, simulation laboratory
Fee
AUD $5,000 for the package (subject to IHM fee approval). Group discounts negotiated for partner groups
Group programs
Customised dates and specialty focus for hospital and institutional cohorts, with negotiated group discounts

Travel and visas

  • Most participants studying from overseas will need an Australian visitor visa for the two weeks in Melbourne
  • Visa type depends on your passport. Home Affairs advises people entering health-care or training environments as nurses to apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600), which may need health checks
  • Visitor visas allow up to three months of study and no work. The Melbourne training is simulation only, not a clinical placement or employment
  • Check current requirements at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. IHM does not give migration advice

2027 calendar: online intakes and monthly Melbourne training

Monthly Melbourne training: 12 two-week runs on campusN8001 academic intake: six online starts a year

These are two separate calendars. N8001 is the online academic unit, with six intakes a year. The Melbourne simulation training runs every month and can be taken on its own, or after you finish N8001 as the full package.

Jan4–15 JanN8001 intake month
Feb1–12 Feb
Mar1–12 MarN8001 intake monthLabour Day · make-up day scheduled
Apr5–16 Apr
May3–14 MayN8001 intake month
Jun7–18 JunKing's Birthday · make-up day scheduled
Jul5–16 JulN8001 intake month
Aug2–13 Aug
Sep6–17 SepN8001 intake month
Oct4–15 Oct
Nov1–12 NovN8001 intake monthMelbourne Cup Day · make-up day scheduled
Dec6–17 Dec
N8001 online startN8001 block endsEarliest Melbourne training for the full package
4 Jan 202719 Feb1 Mar 2027
1 Mar 202716 Apr3 May 2027
3 May 202718 Jun5 Jul 2027
5 Jul 202720 Aug6 Sep 2027
6 Sep 202722 Oct1 Nov 2027
1 Nov 202717 Dec3 Jan 2028

Dates subject to approval and minimum numbers. You may also choose any later monthly run. Each run is ten training days; where a Victorian public holiday falls in a run, a make-up day is scheduled.

Studying in Australia on a student visa? You may be able to join

International students already enrolled in nursing, public health, healthcare or other postgraduate courses in Australia can enquire now. Whether you can take part depends on your own visa conditions and on the final approved structure of the package, so we check each enquiry individually.

Melbourne simulation training only

  • Two weeks, no academic credit
  • A short course taken alongside your main course, ideally in your semester break

Full package with N8001 as CPD

  • Undertake N8001 Australian Nursing Practice as a CPD programme without any summative assessment.
  • Followed by the two weeks of Melbourne simulation training
  • Certificate of completion; no academic transcript or credit
  • Keep your main course on track: under visa condition 8202 you must stay enrolled in your main course and keep satisfactory attendance and progress. Choose a Melbourne run that fits your timetable.
  • Check your visa conditions in VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) before you enquire.
  • About the 12-week or three-month rule: Home Affairs does not set a general extra-study allowance for student-visa holders. The three-month study limit applies to visitor visas. Your eligibility comes from your student visa conditions and the course rules above.
Explore Australian Nursing Practice in MelbourneHospital and group enquiries

The package does not lead to NMBA registration and does not guarantee an OSCE result, employment or a visa outcome. N8001 is a unit of the accredited Graduate Certificate in Advanced Nursing (Australian Nursing Practice); online standalone delivery, the Melbourne training and fees are subject to Academic Board and regulatory approval. CPD hours and academic credit will be stated only once formally approved.

Part 4

Two Weeks in Melbourne

A standalone two-week offer: OSCE preparation and Australian nursing simulation at North Melbourne, every month. Only AUD $2,000.

Standalone offer · North Melbourne

Two Weeks in Melbourne: OSCE Preparation and Nursing Simulation

OnlyAUD $2,000

Ten training days in IHM's North Melbourne simulation laboratory with experienced Australian registered nurse educators. Choose exam-focused OSCE preparation, or broader Australian nursing simulation if you are not preparing for the OSCE.

WhereIHM North Melbourne campus
LengthTwo weeks, ten training days
StartsFirst Monday of every month, 2027
GroupsSmall cohorts; university and institutional groups by arrangement
Enquire as an individualUniversity or institutional group

2027 commencement dates

Every run starts on the first Monday of the month.

January4 Jan – 15 Jan
February1 Feb – 12 Feb
March1 Mar – 15 MarLabour Day, Mon 8 Mar: no training. Tenth day on Mon 15 Mar
April5 Apr – 16 Apr
May3 May – 14 May
June7 Jun – 21 JunKing's Birthday, Mon 14 Jun: no training. Tenth day on Mon 21 Jun
July5 Jul – 16 Jul
August2 Aug – 13 Aug
September6 Sep – 17 Sep
October4 Oct – 15 Oct
November1 Nov – 15 NovMelbourne Cup Day, Tue 2 Nov: no training. Tenth day on Mon 15 Nov
December6 Dec – 17 Dec

Three runs include a Victorian public holiday: Labour Day (8 Mar), King's Birthday (14 Jun) and Melbourne Cup Day (2 Nov). No training is held on the holiday, and the run extends to the following Monday so every cohort receives the full ten days. The AFL Grand Final eve holiday is not yet set for 2027 and usually falls after the September run. Dates are subject to minimum numbers.

OSCE preparation focus

For nurses in the NMBA assessment process who will sit the OSCE

  • OSCE familiarisation: timed practice in simulated stations, with structured feedback and a mock OSCE
  • NMBA standards: practice mapped to the Registered nurse standards for practice and the Code of conduct for nurses
  • Core skills: person-centred assessment and care planning, ISBAR handover, medication safety, infection prevention and documentation
  • Recognising and responding to clinical deterioration in simulation

Australian nursing simulation experience

For nurses and nursing students who are not preparing for the OSCE

  • How Australian healthcare works: the health system, the NSQHS Standards and the roles of nurses
  • Person-centred and culturally safe care, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
  • Communication and teamwork: handover, escalation and working in Australian clinical teams, practised in simulation
  • Specialty taster sessions when numbers allow, such as aged care, mental health or critical care
Who could benefit?

Four groups, two kinds of learning

1

Nurses progressing through Ahpra registration

OSCE preparation focus

Internationally qualified nurses in Stream B of the NMBA assessment process who need practice before the OSCE.

The NMBA requires Orientation Part 1, the portfolio and the MCQ exam before the OSCE. The NMBA does not run or endorse preparation programs.

2

Nurses planning to migrate or work in Australia

Simulation experience

Internationally qualified nurses who want exposure to Australian nursing practice before relocating or exploring employment.

You must hold NMBA registration before working as a nurse in Australia. Your pathway depends on where you qualified and are registered.

3

Overseas nurses exploring Australian approaches

Simulation experience

Registered nurses who want short-term professional development in how nursing is practised in Australia.

A professional development experience; it does not change your registration status at home or in Australia.

4

International Bachelor of Nursing student cohorts

Simulation experience

Students joining an exchange or an organised university group to experience Australian nursing practice as part of their studies.

Any recognition towards your Bachelor of Nursing requires agreement with your home institution. Groups are arranged with the university.

Eligibility and travel

  • Nurses: current registration as a nurse in your home country or in Australia
  • Students: current enrolment in a Bachelor of Nursing, nominated through your university
  • English: enough English to take part safely in simulation; IHM will confirm the level required
  • Visas: most overseas participants need a visitor visa. Home Affairs advises people who will study to be a nurse or enter health-care environments to apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600), which may need health checks. Visitor visas allow up to three months of study and no work
  • Not included: travel, accommodation, visa, insurance and NMBA or Ahpra examination fees. Check current requirements at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au; IHM does not give migration advice

What this experience is, and is not

  • It is structured learning in a simulated clinical environment, with manikins, role-players and educator feedback
  • It is not a clinical placement, registered nursing practice or direct patient-care experience
  • It does not lead to NMBA registration or guarantee an OSCE result, date or venue. The OSCE is held by Ahpra in Adelaide or Melbourne
  • It does not guarantee employment, a visa or a migration outcome, and it does not carry academic credit
  • Participants receive a certificate of attendance from IHM

Two weeks in Melbourne, every month. Only AUD $2,000.

Enquire as an individualUniversity or institutional group enquiry

Add a week of clinical observation for a three-week program at AUD $3,000; see Part 6. Graduate Certificate students can add these two weeks through the AUD $10,000 option in Part 1. The 2027 schedule and the broader audiences above are subject to IHM approval.

Part 5

Professional Experience Placement

For internationally qualified nurses who already hold Australian registration: four weeks of supervised experience in an Australian healthcare setting to support your transition into practice.

For registered nurses · Expressions of interest open

Australian registration is a milestone. Australian experience helps you take the next step.

Many internationally qualified nurses gain registration with Ahpra but find that employers ask about local experience. This placement is designed to help you become familiar with how care is delivered in an Australian workplace, with support from IHM along the way.

Four weeks of Australian clinical experience

FeeAUD $3,000

Supervised professional experience with an IHM partner organisation, such as a hospital, an aged care home or a community service, plus IHM orientation, reflective sessions and career-readiness support.

LengthFour weeks
SettingsHospitals, aged care homes and other partners, subject to availability
Eligible forNurses with current Ahpra registration
StatusSubject to approval and partner capacity
Register your interest

Who could benefit?

  • Nurses who have recently gained Australian registration through the NMBA assessment process, including the OSCE, and have not yet worked in Australia
  • Nurses registered through recognition pathways, such as the streamlined pathway for nurses from the UK, Ireland and other comparable jurisdictions, or Trans-Tasman mutual recognition for New Zealand nurses, who want local experience before applying for roles
  • Graduates of IHM's Parts 1 to 4 who have since gained registration. Completing those options does not itself give you registration
  • Registered nurses returning to or re-entering Australian practice who want a structured, supported start (subject to any conditions on your registration)

Not yet registered? Start with Part 1 or Part 4. You must hold Australian registration before taking part in this placement.

Why it matters: registration confirms you meet the NMBA's requirements to practise. Local experience helps you understand Australian systems, documentation, teamwork and expectations, and gives you real examples to discuss when you apply for jobs.

What the four weeks could involve

Before you startSuitability conversation, registration and visa check, police check, immunisation records and host requirements
Week 1Host orientation and IHM induction: local policies, systems, safety and your learning plan
Weeks 2–3Supervised experience with an experienced Australian registered nurse, at a level agreed with the host
Each weekIHM reflective sessions linked to the NMBA Registered nurse standards for practice
Week 4Supervisor feedback, a professional portfolio, and IHM support with your CV and interview preparation

How it supports your transition

  • Experience Australian models of care, documentation and clinical handover in a real workplace
  • Understand team roles, escalation and person-centred, culturally safe care in practice
  • Build confidence and professional networks
  • Reflect on your practice against the NMBA standards, with IHM educators
  • Leave with a portfolio of your learning and support to prepare job applications

Please note

  • Placements depend on partner availability and suitability. A placement is not guaranteed, and we will only confirm one once a host agrees
  • The placement does not guarantee employment, a reference, a visa or a migration outcome
  • It does not change your registration, carry academic credit or count towards any IHM qualification
  • The level of hands-on involvement depends on the host and the approved placement model, and any conditions on your registration
  • Your visa must permit this activity. Visitor visas do not allow work, including unpaid work that would normally be paid. IHM does not give migration advice

Simulation, clinical observation or professional experience?

Simulation training (Parts 1, 3 and 4)Clinical Observation (Part 6)Professional Experience Placement (Part 5)
WhoNurses and nursing students, registered or notVisiting overseas nurses, nursing professionals and nursing studentsNurses with current Ahpra registration only
WhereIHM's North Melbourne simulation laboratoryA host hospital or aged care facility, subject to host approvalAn Australian partner workplace, such as a hospital or aged care home
What you doPractise in simulated scenarios with manikins and role-playersWatch and discuss care with a supervisor; no hands-on involvementSupervised experience in a real healthcare setting
Patient contactNoneObservation only, with patient consentAs agreed with the host and the approved model
Length and feeTwo weeks; fees as shown in each partOne week; AUD $1,000Four weeks; AUD $3,000

Register your interest

Tell us about your registration, experience and preferences. An IHM adviser will contact you to:

  • check your eligibility and suitability
  • discuss the settings and timing that may be available
  • explain the requirements, fee and next steps

Registering interest does not reserve or guarantee a placement.

The fee, placement model, host partnerships and start dates are subject to IHM approval and partner agreements. Employers interested in partnering with IHM can visit the IHM Industry Hub.

Part 6

Clinical Observation

For visiting overseas nurses, nursing professionals and nursing students: one week observing how nursing is practised in Australian healthcare settings, on its own or combined with Part 4.

For visiting nurses, nursing professionals and students · Expressions of interest open

See how nursing is practised in Australia

Spend a week alongside Australian nursing teams in hospitals or aged care facilities, observing person-centred care, teamwork and patient safety in action. IHM educators prepare you, debrief with you each day and help you turn what you see into learning you can take home.

One week of clinical observation

FeeAUD $1,000

An observation-only week with an approved host organisation, with IHM briefing, daily debriefs and a certificate of attendance.

LengthOne week (five weekdays)
SettingsHospitals and aged care facilities, subject to host approval
Eligible forVisiting nurses, nursing professionals and students
StatusSubject to approval and host agreements
Register your interest

Three weeks in Melbourne: Part 4 + Part 6

Weeks 1–2 · Part 4 · AUD $2,000On-campus training at North Melbourne. Choose OSCE preparation if you are a nurse in the NMBA assessment process, or the Australian nursing simulation experience if you are a visiting nurse, professional or student
Week 3 · Part 6 · AUD $1,000One week of clinical observation, subject to host availability
Combined feeAUD $3,000 for three weeks

Practise in simulation first, then see Australian care in a real setting. Ideal for visiting groups and individuals who want the most from their time in Melbourne.

Register interest in the three-week program

Who could benefit?

Visiting overseas-qualified nurses

Registered nurses from other countries who want to see Australian nursing first-hand, for professional development or before deciding on future steps.

Observation is not nursing practice and does not count towards Australian registration.

Nurse educators, managers and other nursing professionals

Leaders and educators who want to compare models of care, aged care practice, patient safety and clinical education.

Delegations and study tours can be arranged for groups.

Overseas nursing students

Bachelor of Nursing students in organised university groups or exchanges who want an Australian perspective on nursing.

Any recognition towards your studies requires agreement with your home institution.

Institutional groups from Southeast Asia and China

Nursing schools, hospitals and associations in countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and China.

Group programs can combine Part 4 and Part 6, with group enquiries handled by our team.

Visitors already in Australia

People in Australia on a working holiday or another visa who are interested in Australian nursing.

Eligibility depends on your individual visa conditions, not the visa type alone. Please check before you enquire.

Nurses preparing for the OSCE

Nurses in the NMBA assessment process who want to see Australian care after two weeks of OSCE preparation in Part 4.

Observation does not prepare you for, or guarantee, an OSCE result.

What the week could involve

Before you arriveSuitability check; host requirements such as police checks, immunisation records and a confidentiality agreement; travel and insurance guidance
Day 1IHM briefing on professional conduct, privacy, patient consent and infection prevention; host orientation
Days 2–4Observation with a designated supervisor in wards, units or aged care settings, with daily IHM debriefs
Day 5Reflection session on what you observed, linked to Australian standards, and a certificate of attendance

Observation means you watch, not do

  • You will not assess, examine, treat or perform procedures, or give any care
  • You will always be with a supervisor and never left alone with patients or residents
  • Patients and residents are asked for consent to your presence and may decline at any time; you may be asked to leave a room
  • Everything you see is confidential. No photos, recordings or notes that identify anyone
  • Hosts set their own rules and may end an observation at any time

What you will need

  • Host approval: every observer must be accepted by the host organisation. A place is not guaranteed
  • Checks: police checks, including from countries you have lived in, and immunisation evidence as the host requires
  • Visa: a visa that permits this visit. Many visitors need a Visitor visa (subclass 600); people entering hospital environments may need health examinations. Observation must not become work. Check with Home Affairs; IHM does not give migration advice
  • Insurance: travel and health insurance for your stay
  • Time: allow at least eight weeks before your preferred start for checks and approvals

Group programs for Southeast Asia and China

We welcome enquiries from nursing schools, hospitals, associations and approved study-tour partners. A group program can combine two weeks of simulation at North Melbourne with a week of clinical observation, timed to your semester break where host places allow.

  • Program outline and learning objectives for your institution
  • Group invitation letter on request, to support visa applications
  • Pre-departure briefing on requirements and timelines
  • Daily debriefs with IHM nurse educators

Register your interest

Tell us who you are and what you would like to observe. An IHM adviser will contact you to:

  • check your suitability and the requirements that apply to you
  • discuss possible settings, timing and host availability
  • explain the fee, the combined option and next steps

Registering interest does not reserve or guarantee an observation place.

The fee, host arrangements, settings and dates are subject to IHM approval and host agreements. Clinical observation does not lead to NMBA registration, employment, academic credit or a clinical placement, and access to any healthcare setting is not guaranteed.

Straight answers

What this course does, and does not do

It does

  • Award an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate from IHM, a TEQSA-registered Institute of Higher Education
  • Teach Australian nursing practice through accredited units
  • Offer practical OSCE preparation, separate from the accredited units
  • Connect you with a pathway into IHM's Master of Nursing*

It does not

  • Lead to NMBA registration or replace any NMBA assessment stage
  • Guarantee an OSCE result, date or venue
  • Guarantee employment, a visa or a migration outcome
  • Allow you to work as a nurse unless you hold NMBA registration

NMBA examination fees (MCQ USD 200 + USD 150 international scheduling fee; OSCE AUD 4,000) are paid to Pearson VUE and Ahpra, not to IHM.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Is N8001 really available at every intake?

That is IHM's plan for 2027 for the Australian Nursing Practice stream, subject to approval: N8001 at all six intakes, so you move from N9001 to N8001 without waiting. Other GCAN specialty units run three times a year.

How long will it take?

Hybrid Global Edition: about 24–25 weeks of teaching for every 2027 start date, then results about three weeks later.

Can IHM guarantee a placement or a job?

No. The Professional Experience Placement (Part 5) depends on partner availability and your suitability, and it does not guarantee employment. It is only for nurses who already hold Australian registration.

What is the difference between simulation, clinical observation and a professional experience placement?

Simulation (Parts 1, 3 and 4) is practice in IHM's simulation laboratory. Clinical observation (Part 6) is one week watching care in a host hospital or aged care facility, with no hands-on involvement. A professional experience placement (Part 5) is four weeks of supervised experience for nurses who already hold Australian registration.

Can I combine Part 4 and Part 6?

Yes. Two weeks of training at North Melbourne (AUD $2,000) followed by one week of clinical observation (AUD $1,000) makes a three-week program for AUD $3,000. The observation week depends on host availability.

Is the two-week OSCE training compulsory?

No. It is optional. The Graduate Certificate programme is AUD $8,000; with the two-week on-campus OSCE training it is AUD $10,000 in total (fees subject to approval). The micro-credential package is a separate offer at AUD $5,000.

Which pathway should I choose?

Choose by your registration status and goals: Explore if you are registered overseas only, Prepare if you are in the NMBA assessment process, Advance if you are already NMBA-registered. You study the same course in each.

Can I continue to the Master of Nursing?

Yes, that is the intended pathway. After the Graduate Certificate you can apply for IHM's two-year Master of Nursing on campus in Melbourne, subject to admission and visa requirements. Only N9001 is intended to receive credit towards the Master of Nursing. Gaining the Graduate Certificate does not confer NMBA registration.

Will this help me pass the OSCE?

It gives you structured practice and feedback in Australian clinical scenarios. No provider can guarantee an OSCE result.

Are these dates final?

No. The 2027 dates are subject to approval. Your Letter of Offer confirms your dates.

Course contacts

Your course team

Talk to us

Find your pathway with an IHM adviser

Tell us about your registration, goals and where you want to study. We will recommend a pathway and study option and give you a written study plan before you decide.

Send an enquiryApply online

Phone (international): +61 3 7046 7777
Within Australia: 1800 763 757
Email: enquiry@ihm.edu.au

Institute of Health & Management Pty Ltd · Institute of Higher Education · TEQSA PRV14040 · CRICOS 03407G · GCAN (ANP) CRICOS 107773K

Information current as at October 2026. Delivery options, dates and fees are subject to Academic Board and regulatory approval. General information only, not migration advice.

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