Australian PR Points for Registered Nurses (Mental Health), ANZSCO 254422
Registered Nurses (Mental Health) (ANZSCO 254422) play a vital role in Australia's healthcare system and are consistently targeted in the General Skilled Migration programme. Their specialised skills are highly sought after across all states and territories, especially in regional areas where mental health services are critically needed. This page breaks down your visa pathways, expected scores, and what you need for a successful skills assessment.
Subclass 189: Skilled Independent
MLTSSL occupation
As a general historical pattern rather than an officially published figure, 189 invitation rounds for ANZSCO 254422 have often sat at or near the 65-point floor. It remains a competitive and highly viable route relative to the overall skilled migration programme.
→ Read our 189 guideSubclass 190: State Nominated
Includes +5 state points
With an additional 5 points from state nomination, mental health nurses have solid prospects, as many states actively seek out this profession to address critical workforce gaps.
→ How state nomination worksSubclass 491: Regional
Includes +15 regional points
The generous +15 regional bonus makes the 491 visa highly attractive. Mental health nursing is especially critical in Australia's regional and remote communities.
→ How regional sponsorship worksYour Registered Nurse (Mental Health) Score Across All Three Visas
| Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|
| Nomination bonus | +0 | +5 | +15 |
| Indicative competitive range (ANZSCO 254422) | ~65 pts | ~65 pts | ~65 pts |
| Occupation list | MLTSSL | MLTSSL | MLTSSL |
| Typical invitation frequency | High | High | High |
| Primary assessing body | ANMAC | ANMAC | ANMAC |
Invitation cutoffs vary by round and occupation ceiling. These figures are indicative ranges based on general historical patterns, not published Department of Home Affairs figures for a specific round.
→ See our monthly invitation round tracker for the latest resultsSkills Assessment for Registered Nurses (Mental Health)
A positive skills assessment is mandatory before you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect.
Registered Nurses (Mental Health) (ANZSCO 254422) are assessed by ANMAC.
| Assessing body | ANMAC |
| Official portal | anmac.org.au |
| Processing time | Wait time to commence assessment has recently run around 6-8 weeks, plus further time once it starts — confirm the current queue on anmac.org.au |
| Approximate fee | $395 (Modified) / $545 (Direct Care) / $595 (Full) — confirm current pricing at anmac.org.au |
| Assessment type | Skills assessment (Modified, Direct Care, or Full, depending on your AHPRA status) |
| Outcome validity | ANMAC outcome letters are generally valid for 2 years from the decision date — shorter than the usual 3-year assumption for most other assessing bodies, so plan your EOI timeline accordingly |
ANMAC offers three assessment streams: Full (for nurses not yet AHPRA-registered), Modified (for nurses who already hold current AHPRA or Nursing Council of New Zealand registration), and Direct Care (a narrower stream for certain enrolled/direct care roles). Your mental health specialisation (ANZSCO 254422, as distinct from general Registered Nurse 254411) needs to be clearly supported by your qualification and clinical placement or employment history. Professional registration with AHPRA remains a separate, ongoing requirement to actually practise in Australia.
⚠ Warning: Your skills assessment must remain valid at the time you receive your Invitation to Apply, not just when you submit your EOI. ANMAC outcome letters are generally valid for 2 years from their decision date, shorter than the 3-year validity common with many other assessing bodies. If your assessment is nearing expiry, apply for a renewal early.
State Nomination for Mental Health Nurses: Which States to Target
State nomination gives you a valuable +5 points (190 visa) or +15 points (491 visa). Remember that not all states nominate all occupations in every round.
| State | 190 Available? | 491 Available? | Notes |
|---|
| NSW | Check criteria | Check criteria | Health is one of NSW's named priority sectors under its post-2023 model, which nominates against sectors rather than a fixed occupation list. Mental health nursing generally fits within that sector, but you must confirm current standing on the NSW skilled visas portal. |
| VIC | Check criteria | Check criteria | Victoria lists health among its priority sectors for both onshore and offshore applicants in its annual programme. You must submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) first; being health-sector adjacent does not guarantee selection. |
| QLD | Check criteria | Check criteria | Statewide shortages make QLD a solid option for nurses. |
| SA | Check criteria | Check criteria | Often prioritises healthcare workers in regional areas. |
| WA | Check criteria | Check criteria | Mental health workers are heavily prioritised under WA's schedule. |
| TAS | Check criteria | Check criteria | Regional health needs mean strong support for nurses. |
| ACT | Check criteria | Check criteria | Frequently featured on the ACT Critical Skills List. |
| NT | Check criteria | Check criteria | High demand for mental health nursing in the Territory. |
Note: State occupation lists and nomination requirements are updated periodically. You must always verify eligibility on each state's official migration portal before applying.
Regional areas often prioritise healthcare professionals due to acute shortages, providing excellent opportunities through the 491 visa pathway.
How to Improve Your Points Score
Personalised to ANZSCO 254422, here are the strategies with the biggest impact on your application.
1. Superior English
Moving from Proficient (IELTS 7.0) to Superior (IELTS 8.0) adds 10 points. For mental health nurses, pushing your score to 85+ makes a subclass 189 invitation highly competitive.
→ Read the points-improvement guide2. State Nomination (190)
A state nomination gives you 5 extra points. Given the demand for healthcare workers, establishing ties to a state can greatly boost your chances.
→ 190 visa explained3. Regional Work (491)
Securing regional nomination adds 15 points to your tally. With a massive demand for nurses in regional clinics, this pathway is very viable.
→ 491 visa guide| Strategy | Points Gained | Time Required | Reform Risk |
|---|
| Superior English (if at Proficient) | +10 | 2-6 months | Low |
| State nomination (190) | +5 | Varies by state | Low |
| Regional sponsorship (491) | +15 | Varies by state | Low |
| Australian work experience (1 more year) | +5 | 1 year | Low |
| NAATI CCL (if bilingual) | +5 | 3-6 months | Medium |
| Professional Year | +5 | 12 months | HIGH |
How the Proposed 2026 Reforms Affect Mental Health Nurses
⚠ The 2026 points test reform is proposed, not yet legislated. The current Schedule 6D system remains fully in effect until Parliament passes the changes.
Registered Nurses (Mental Health) are among the occupations widely expected to benefit from the proposed 2026 migration reforms. The government has explicitly prioritised the care economy, signalling that the new occupation-matching system will heavily favour healthcare professionals. Given that nurses have consistently been invited at competitive scores, this trend is likely to continue and possibly strengthen under a redesigned points test.
→ Learn more about the proposed 2026 points test reform