Registering as a nurse
The regulating authority for nursing in Victoria is the Nurses Board of Victoria. The Nurses Board of Victoria is a self-funded statutory authority incorporated under the Health Professionals Registration Act 2005. Application for registration may be made through the Nurses Board of Victoria, telephone (03) 8635 1200.
The Board's business is to regulate the profession, register nurses and annually renew their status. Only nurses registered by the Board are entitled to use the term 'registered nurse' in Victoria. To ensure the high standard in the profession, the Board accredits nursing programs in universities and vocational education and training institutions, approve programs by other educational providers and sets standards and guidelines for nursing practice
Mutual recognition
Those nurses registered in a State other than Victoria may apply for Victorian registration under Mutual Recognition.
Reentry programs
Support is available for persons previously registered as a nurse to regain their Victorian registration. Further details of this initiative may be found at Returning to nursing.
Overseas Registration
For more information relating to registration of overseas nurses and the recognition of overseas qualifications visit the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council and the General skilled migration to Australia websites.
Undergraduates Registering as a Division 2 nurse
Undergraduate students who have the requisite knowledge and skills are allowed to engage in paid employment as division 2 registered nurses. To meet the high standards of practice expected by the Board, undergraduate nursing students may be required to complete additional units of study and satisfy the Board they have achieved the level of skill and knowledge required to demonstrate competence as a division 2 registered nurse.
This initiative will provided valuable opportunities for undergraduate nursing students to develop and practise their clinical skills prior to graduation, while still working under the supervision of a division 1,3 or 4 registered nurse.
Further inquiries should be directed to Nurses Board of Victoria, and to the student's university.