Australian PR Points for Midwives, ANZSCO 254111
Midwifery (ANZSCO 254111) plays a vital role in Australia's healthcare system. Because the country is actively addressing workforce shortages in the care economy, midwives often find themselves well-positioned in the General Skilled Migration programme. This guide walks you through how your points are calculated and what recent trends tell us about the 189, 190, and 491 visa pathways for this occupation.
Subclass 189: Skilled Independent
Midwife, MLTSSL status
Being on the MLTSSL gives midwives a direct pathway to the 189 visa. Recent official data (June 2026) showed an invitation cutoff of 75 points, though this can vary by round.
→ Subclass 189 guideSubclass 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.
→ Subclass 190 guideSubclass 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.
→ Subclass 491 guideYour Midwife Score Across All Three Visa Pathways
| Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|
| Nomination bonus | +0 | +5 | +15 |
| Last cutoff (ANZSCO 254111) | 75 pts (June 2026) | 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 |
| Official portal | anmac.org.au |
| Pathways | Modified Assessment (if AHPRA registered) or Full Assessment (internationally qualified). |
| Approximate fee | Varies based on pathway, check ANMAC directly. |
| Qualification required | A recognised midwifery qualification. |
Heads up: An ANMAC skills assessment is strictly for migration purposes and is separate from your professional registration. However, you will still need to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) via AHPRA to actually practise in Australia.
⚠ 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.
→ English points guide2. 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 visa guide3. 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.
→ 491 visa guideHow 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 Australian government has been explicitly prioritising the "care economy" (which includes nursing and midwifery) in its recent budgets and migration reviews. If the proposed points test reforms pass, occupations dealing with critical societal needs are expected to retain strong pathways. While the exact mathematics of the new points test haven't been finalised, midwives are generally expected to remain in a favourable position under any new framework.
→ Learn more about the proposed points test reform