Find AHPRA's New English Language Changes: A Gateway to Australian Healthcare for OET Candidates

In an encouraging move for internationally qualified healthcare professionals, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the National Boards have revised their English Language Skills (ELS) standards. Effective from 18 March 2025, the changes aim to improve fairness and accessibility in the registration process for healthcare roles in Australia. A key update is the adjustment to OET score requirements, particularly in writing, which offers a more attainable route to registration.

Here's what these changes mean and how they'll benefit future healthcare workers in Australia.

Lower OET Writing Score Requirement

The most notable change is the reduction in the minimum score required for the writing section of the Occupational English Test (OET). Previously, applicants were required to achieve a B grade (score of 350 or higher) in all four subtests: Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing. Under the new guidelines, the writing requirement has been reduced to a C+ (score of 300–340), while the B grade remains mandatory for the other three components.

This change provides much-needed flexibility for candidates who may have excellent verbal and comprehension skills but face challenges with written English. It's a step towards recognising the broader capabilities of skilled professionals and reducing the need for repeated test attempts due to a single section.

Expanded List of Recognised English-Speaking Countries

Another significant change is the enlargement of the list of nations whose citizens are exempt from sitting English language tests. Previously, only seven countries were officially recognised by AHPRA for exemption based on English as the primary language. These were:

• Australia

• Canada

• New Zealand

• Republic of Ireland

• South Africa

• United Kingdom

• United States of America

As of 18 March 2025, this list has been extended to include 30 countries and territories, such as Malta, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and many others, where English is widely spoken and used in education and healthcare systems.

Benefits of this expansion include:

• Significantly broader eligibility for exemption from language testing

• Faster registration for professionals from newly recognised countries

• Reduced costs and administrative burden for eligible applicants

This change supports inclusivity by acknowledging that English is the primary language in many more countries than previously recognised, opening up opportunities for more professionals worldwide.

What This Means for International Nurses

• Greater Chance of Success in OET: With the writing score requirement lowered to C+, international nurses who previously missed the mark by a few points now have a realistic opportunity to meet the language standard without needing repeated attempts.

• Faster Registration Process: Nurses from the 30 now-recognised English-speaking countries can bypass the language testing altogether, streamlining the process and helping them start their careers in Australia more quickly.

• Reduced Financial Pressure: Preparing for and sitting the OET multiple times is expensive. These changes reduce the financial burden on nurses by making it easier to meet the criteria on the first or second attempt.

• Increased Workforce Integration: With Australia currently facing nursing shortages, these changes will help more international nurses join the workforce faster, easing staffing pressures and enhancing patient care.

• Boost in Confidence and Morale: Many qualified nurses have been discouraged by narrowly missing OET writing scores. This revision provides encouragement and recognition of their overall communication skills, helping them stay motivated in their pursuit of registration.

A Step Forward for International Healthcare Workers

AHPRA’s 2025 updates mark a positive step towards inclusivity in healthcare registration. By lowering the OET writing score and expanding the list of recognised English-speaking countries, unnecessary barriers are being removed, without compromising professional standards.

These changes not only benefit international applicants but also strengthen Australia’s healthcare system by widening the talent pool. For doctors, nurses, dentists, and allied health professionals worldwide, the path to working in Australia is now more accessible than ever.

At Envertiz Academy, we welcome these encouraging changes and remain committed to supporting healthcare professionals who dream of working in Australia. With tailored OET training and expert guidance, we help candidates confidently achieve the required scores, especially with the new, more attainable writing benchmark, making their journey towards registration smoother and more achievable than ever before.

For more details, visit us: https://www.envertizacademy.com/register-now