Aisha's story

Aisha completed her nursing qualification as a mature-age student and applied for registration via the extended education pathway of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s English Language Skills Registration Standard (ELSR Standard). The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) advised Aisha that she was required to complete an English language test to satisfy the ELSR Standard.

Aisha believed Ahpra’s request that she complete an English language test was not fair because it did not recognise her particular circumstances. Aisha explained to us that she was 12 years old when she moved to Australia. After completing one year of language school within an Australian primary school, Aisha completed secondary, vocational and tertiary education in Australia. Aisha emphasised that she had lived in Australia for more than 30 years and, though she is multilingual, the primary language she speaks at home is English.

After hearing Aisha’s concerns, we made enquiries with Ahpra about Aisha’s application. Ahpra advised that it had agreed to present Aisha’s application to the Nursing and Midwifery Board for consideration. After taking into consideration Aisha’s application, the original assessment and the enquiries from our office, Ahpra decided to seek legal advice in preparation for the Nursing and Midwifery Board meeting.

The Nursing and Midwifery Board considered the matter and decided that Aisha met the ELSR Standard via the extended education pathway. She was therefore not required to sit an English language test and was granted registration.

Aisha was pleased with the quick and professional assistance we provided.