Information sheet

English language proficiency requirements for overseas nurses and midwives

Introduction
Section 54(3)(b), Nursing Act 1992 specifies, as one of the qualifications for registration / enrolment / authorisation, that Council must be satisfied that a person has a sufficient command of the English language, both oral and written, to ensure that the safety and wellbeing of patients is maintained. In order to waive the English language test applicants from the RSA and Zimbabwe must provide evidence that:

both theoretical and clinical practice modules of the qualifying nursing / midwifery education course were delivered in English the person has recent nursing / midwifery experience as a registered / enrolled / authorised nurse or midwife in a health care agency where the medium of communication used in the practice setting is English.

ALL overseas nursing / midwifery applicants must satisfy Councils English language competence requirements unless eligible to have English language proficiency testing waived. These requirements apply to overseas nurses / midwives who have completed Council accredited pre-registration or pre-enrolment courses.

Recent nursing practice in an English speaking environment

At the discretion of Council, the requirement to undertake an English language proficiency test may be waived when an applicant has undertaken a nursing / midwifery course: in a country / location where English is not the first language AND the course assessment indicates that it may enable the applicant to demonstrate competencies similar to those gained in a course conducted in Queensland at the same time AND the applicant has been registered / enrolled / authorised, and practised as a nurse / midwife for a period not less than 12 months full-time or equivalent in the United Kingdom, USA, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand. The experience must have occurred no more than six months prior to the date of the application. THEN the applicant, subject to meeting Councils other requirements, may be granted limited registration / enrolment / authorisation. The limitation conditions require that: (a) the applicant may practise only under the direct or indirect supervision of a registered nurse / midwife nominated by the applicants employer (b) the applicant must notify Council within 24 hours of gaining employment in Queensland (c) the applicant must provide a statement from the employer that addresses the applicants competence against the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC) national competence standards within three months of commencing employment.

English language testing

Applicants whose professional education was undertaken in United Kingdom, Ireland, United States of America or New Zealand. The requirement to complete an English language test is waived for applicants who undertook the relevant educational courses in the United Kingdom, Ireland, United States of America or New Zealand. These countries are recognised as having English as a first language. Designated applicants whose professional education was undertaken in Canada The requirement to complete an English language test may be waived for applicants from Canada provided that the initial education of the nurse / midwife was completed in Canada through examination and that examination was in English and the applicant gained registration in Canada. Applicants from the Republic of South Africa and Zimbabwe Applicants from the republic of South Africa (RSA) and Zimbabwe are required to provide evidence of successful completion of an English Language Proficiency Test at a standard endorsed by Queensland Nursing Council.

Queensland Nursing Council 2007 PUB52/REG/07

1 of 3

Information sheet
English language proficiency requirements for overseas nurses and midwives

Council will review the limited registration / enrolment / authorisation upon receipt of the statement of competence relating to the ANMC standards for the purpose of granting full recognition of status. In cases where substantive status has not been granted the limited status will be reviewed annually. Applicants are required to meet the requirements of the conditions within two years from the date of approval of limited registration / enrolment / authorisation in order to gain full status. If the requirements are not met within two years, Council will consider the circumstances on a case-bycase basis and may cancel or continue limited registration / enrolment / authorisation.

Test options are: 1. Occupational English Test (OET) This test is focused on knowledge of English in an occupational context. It is conducted by Language Australia twice yearly and is held in many locations within Australia and overseas. Council requires a B Proficiency level pass or above, for all four sections of the test, giving an overall pass. 2. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) This test is more academically based than the OET. It is conducted by the Overseas Students Units of all Queensland universities. Council requires a minimum score of 6.5 in Reading and Listening and a score of at least 7 in Writing and Speaking with an overall band score of 7 or greater. 3. International Second Language Proficiency Ratings (ISLPR) This test is conducted by ISLPR Language Services. Council requires a minimum score of 3+ in all components of the test. 4. Combination of Results A combination of results in the ISLPR and IELTS tests may be accepted, provided: a minimum score of 3+ for relevant individual components in the ISLPR is achieved; and a minimum score of 6.5 in Reading and Listening and a 7 in Writing and Speaking in the IELTS is achieved; and a minimum overall band score of 7 in the IELTS is achieved.

Methods for providing evidence of English language proficiency

Applicants who have gained their nursing / midwifery qualification in a country / location where English is not the first language, and who are not eligible to have testing waived, are required to provide evidence of proficiency in the English language. This may be through:

successful performance in Council designated English language proficiency test(s) recent nursing practice in an English speaking environment (specific criteria apply) successful completion of nursing / midwifery studies within Australia (specific criteria apply) completion of Council accredited pre-registration or preenrolment courses by overseas nurses who have been granted advanced standing (specific criteria apply).

Council designated English language proficiency testing options

Council recognises the following designated test options. For each option, the date of the test must be no more than two years prior to the date of the application.

Successful completion of nursing or midwifery studies within Australia

Applicants who provide evidence of successfully completing nursing / midwifery studies, with a minimum of four fulltime semesters over two years continuous on-campus study at an on-shore Australian tertiary institution, within two years of date of application, may be exempt from the requirement to demonstrate English language competence. However, such applicants from overseas may be required to demonstrate nursing / midwifery competence to practise through a Council approved program.

Applicants must request the test provider to forward the test result directly to the Queensland Nursing Council.

Queensland Nursing Council 2007 PUB52/REG/07

2 of 3

Information sheet
English language proficiency requirements for overseas nurses and midwives

Graduates of accredited pre-registration and pre-enrolment courses who have been granted exemption of a portion of a Council accredited pre-registration or pre-enrolment course, on the basis of nursing qualifications or study overseas*
Graduates from countries where English is not the first or only language who are identified on certified graduate lists from accredited education providers as having been granted an exemption towards a portion of an accredited undergraduate pre-registration or pre-enrolment nursing / midwifery course, on the basis of a nursing / midwifery qualification or study undertaken overseas, may be required to provide evidence of English language competence by either: successfully completing an approved English language test within two years prior to the date of application

OR successfully completing within two years prior to the date of application, a minimum of four semesters oncampus study at an on-shore Australian university, with a full-time nursing /midwifery academic load. This study may encompass a maximum of two courses.

In some circumstances, further information may be required (section 56, Nursing Act 1992) and Council may direct an applicant to undertake and pass an examination in the use of English as determined by Council (section 57, Nursing Act 1992).

*Note: This refers to processes such as advanced standing or credit transfer or recognition of prior learning or similar, where the applicant seeking registration or authorisation as midwife-only has been granted exemption from a portion (more than one third) of an accredited pre-registration / preenrolment / authorisation nursing / midwifery course conducted in Queensland, on the basis of nursing / midwifery studies undertaken in a country where English is not the first language. Advanced standing for applicants seeking enrolment refers to any period of credit granted to an overseas applicant on the basis of nursing studies undertaken in a country where English is not the first language, towards completion of an accredited pre-enrolment course conducted in Queensland.

For further information: Queensland Nursing Council th 14 Floor, 201 Charlotte Street GPO Box 2928 BRISBANE QLD 4001 Web site: Email: Phone: (07) 3223 5100 or Toll free: 1300 139 993 Fax: (07) 3223 5115

www.qnc.qld.gov.au registrations@qnc.qld.gov.au March 2007 December 2011

Please contact Council if you have any questions

Approved by Council: Amended: Review:

Queensland Nursing Council 2007 PUB52/REG/07

3 of 3