Australian PR Points for Midwives, ANZSCO 254111
Midwifery (ANZSCO 254111) is a distinct profession from nursing under Australia's migration framework, even though the two are frequently confused. A midwife provides pregnancy, labour, birth, and postnatal care as an autonomous practitioner, and is assessed and registered separately from a Registered Nurse (254411) — holding a nursing qualification alone does not qualify you for a midwifery skills assessment. Migration skills assessment for this occupation is handled by ANMAC (the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council), which is a separate process from your professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (via AHPRA), even though both are ultimately required. This guide walks you through how your points are calculated and what the ANMAC assessment and state nomination landscape actually look like for this occupation.
Subclass 189: Skilled Independent
Midwife, MLTSSL status
Being on the MLTSSL gives midwives a direct pathway to the 189 visa. No occupation-specific SkillSelect cutoff data has been published for this code — check the Department of Home Affairs SkillSelect reports directly.
→ See the 189 requirementsSubclass 190: State Nominated
With +5 state nomination points
A popular choice, as healthcare is prioritised across many state migration programmes. State criteria apply, so you'll need to meet specific local requirements.
→ Check your 190 optionsSubclass 491: Regional
With +15 regional bonus points
If you're open to working in a regional hospital or community, the 491 visa offers a significant 15-point boost to help you reach a competitive score.
→ Check your 491 optionsYour Midwife Score Across All Three Visa Pathways
| Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|
| Nomination bonus | +0 | +5 | +15 |
| Last cutoff (ANZSCO 254111) | Not published | Varies by state | Varies by state |
| Occupation list | MLTSSL | MLTSSL | MLTSSL |
| Assessing body | ANMAC | ANMAC | ANMAC |
Note: Invitation cutoffs are a reflection of past rounds, not a guarantee of future requirements. Home Affairs controls the volume and timing of invitations.
→ See our monthly invitation round tracker for the latest resultsSkills Assessment for Midwives
A positive skills assessment is a mandatory step before you can submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect.
Midwife (ANZSCO 254111) is assessed by ANMAC (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council).
| Assessing body | ANMAC (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council) |
| Official portal | anmac.org.au |
| Pathways | Modified Assessment (if you're already on AHPRA's public register as a midwife, no English test required) or Full Assessment (internationally qualified, not yet AHPRA-registered) |
| Fee | Modified Assessment ~AUD $395; Full Assessment ~AUD $595 (check anmac.org.au for the current schedule) |
| Processing time | Roughly 6–8 weeks to commence assessment, depending on current volume |
| Outcome validity | 2 years from issue, for visa application purposes |
Heads up: An ANMAC skills assessment is strictly for migration purposes and is separate from your professional registration. You will still need to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) via AHPRA to actually practise as a midwife in Australia. ANMAC uses a criteria-based document review rather than a written test — there is no exam to sit.
ANMAC also tightened its identity-verification requirements: applicants now need to submit a passport bio-data page, a recent passport-style photo, and at least two additional forms of official ID. Build extra time into your application for gathering these documents if any of yours are due for renewal.
⚠ Validity Warning: Your skills assessment must remain valid on the exact day you receive your Invitation to Apply, not just when you lodge your EOI. Keep a close eye on the expiry date.
State Nomination Options for Midwives
Looking at the 190 (+5 points) or 491 (+15 points) visas? Here’s a general look at the state nomination landscape.
| State | 190 Potential | 491 Potential | Notes / Context |
|---|
| WA | Yes | Yes | Healthcare is explicitly listed as a priority industry sector in WA. |
| SA | Yes | Yes | Strong demand via SA Health and regional pathways (like DAMA). |
| NSW, VIC, QLD | Yes | Yes | These larger states frequently prioritise critical healthcare roles, though competition remains high. |
| TAS, ACT, NT | Conditional | Conditional | Smaller states often require you to be living and working locally to be considered. |
Note: "Yes" means the state has historically offered pathways for this occupation. State lists and quotas are updated regularly. Always verify the current criteria on the official state migration portals before lodging an EOI.
→ Which state should I choose for PR?How to Improve Your Score as a Midwife
Here are some practical strategies to bump up your points tailored to ANZSCO 254111.
1. Superior English (+10 points)
Moving from Proficient (e.g., IELTS 7.0/OET B) to Superior (IELTS 8.0/OET A) adds 10 points. Since you already need strong English for AHPRA, this is often the most direct way to boost your score.
→ How to boost your English score2. State Nomination (+5 points)
Securing a subclass 190 nomination gives you a quick 5 points and priority processing. Given the healthcare shortage, this is a highly realistic pathway if you meet the state's work requirements.
→ 190 nomination explained3. Go Regional (+15 points)
Regional communities are crying out for healthcare professionals. Committing to a regional area via the subclass 491 visa nets you 15 extra points.
→ Deep dive into the 491 visaHow the 2026 Reform Affects Midwives
⚠ Reminder: The 2026 points test reform is proposed, not yet legislated. The current Schedule 6D system remains fully in effect until further notice.
The "care economy" (including nursing and midwifery) has been named in recent government commentary as a priority area. But the proposed points test reform is not legislated, its detail hasn't been finalised, and any target date (currently 2027) can slip. Treat commentary about how midwives specifically will fare under a future system as informed speculation, not settled fact — the current Schedule 6D points test is what applies to any EOI you actually submit today.
→ Learn more about the proposed points test reform