Skip to main content

Nursing

Prescribing powers to be extended to registered nurses in mid-2025: Here’s what you need to know

Nurses who complete a postgraduate qualification and have met additional requirements will soon be authorised to prescribe schedule 2,3,4 and 8 medicines.



hero_image

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) recently announced that as of 6 December 2024, health ministers have approved a new registration standard which allows qualified registered nurses (RNs) to prescribe schedule 2,3,4 and 8 medicines in partnership with an authorised health practitioner under a prescribing agreement.

This represents a significant step forward for the nursing profession in Australia as this new endorsement opens up opportunities for registered nurses to expand their scope of practice and contribute to improved health outcomes across Australia.

What does this mean for your nursing practice?

With over 390,000 registered nurses in Australia, this endorsement will enable RNs to provide more timely and direct care such as adjusting medicine doses for end-of-life care and prescribing supportive medicines without unnecessary delays.

This change will also be particularly impactful for rural and remote communities where access to healthcare is limited. By expanding prescribing capabilities, RNs can help streamline patient care, reduce wait times and ensure timely access to healthcare.

Additionally, it allows other healthcare professionals to focus on more complex cases, improving overall efficiency within the healthcare system.

What are the requirements?

All designated RN prescribers must meet the new Registered Nurse Prescribing Accreditation Standards that have been established by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).

Requirements to apply for endorsement include:

  • Completing a recognised postgraduate qualification
  • Demonstrating adequate clinical experience
  • Completing a six-month clinical mentorship under the guidance of an authorised health practitioner after endorsement.

As part of the new model, there will also be a prescribing agreement which formalises the partnership between the designated RN prescriber and the authorised health practitioner. This document will outline the RN prescriber’s scope of practice, roles and responsibilities and any conditions specific to the prescribing activities.

When will this take effect?

March 2025: An advance copy of the new standard will be published on the NMBA website.

Mid-2025: The endorsement, registration standard and guidelines will officially take effect.

Advance your nursing career

If you're a registered nurse interested in becoming an authorised prescriber, now is the perfect time to pursue a postgraduate qualification. A postgraduate nursing course will not only deepen your expertise but may also prepare you for future changes in healthcare and potentially expand your career prospects and salary potential.

At GlobalHealth Education, our university partners offer online postgraduate nursing courses at various levels and lengths, including graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and master’s courses. If you have any queries or would like to learn more, feel free to select a course and enquire to speak with a Student Enrolment Advisor.

The courses below are listed by qualification level, from lowest to highest.

Graduate Certificate in Nursing
Graduate Certificate in Nursing
Award-winning study model VU's award-winning postgraduate Block Model recognises the complexity of students' lives while giving a consistent, manageable and connected online learning experience. Earn your Graduate Certificate in Nursing faster than on-campus with our unique study model. No exams or textbooks to purchase The online units have been designed with a student-centred approach that spans from the overarching learning outcomes to engaging activities and self-determined assessments. Support seven days and in the evenings Get the support you need, when you need it, during your course. VU's support network has a single focus on ensuring you are entirely supported to succeed. VU Online’s Graduate Certificate in Nursing is designed for registered nurses to transform the delivery of healthcare services in Australia. You can successfully earn your Graduate Certificate in Nursing by enrolling in 4 consecutive study periods of seven weeks each. This means you can enrol and complete your course in as little as eight months.   Each course is delivered 100% online, giving students the flexibility to fit study around their busy personal and professional lives. VU Online, takes a personalised 1:1 approach to online learning, which makes learning highly interactive and supported. With 25 years of experience delivering postgraduate courses in Australia, VU has equipped thousands of students from all walks of life with the knowledge and skills to successfully achieve their unique career goals including promotion, salary increase and leadership and innovation in nursing.
Graduate Certificate 8 months 4 Units
Units
  • Promoting Cultural Competence and Community Health
  • Care Coordination in Practice
  • Leading Improvement and Innovation
  • Evidence and Research for Practice
CSP
More Info
Commonwealth Supported Place is available.
Master of Advanced Nursing
Master of Advanced Nursing
Ranked #3 in Australia for academic reputation in nursing and midwifery (QS World University Rankings, 2025) Top ranked for Excellence in Research in Australia for Nursing and Midwifery Australia’s ever-evolving health care system is under pressure with resource constraints, policy reform and an ageing population with multiple comorbidities. Our nurses need to be ready to “step up” and take advantage of these opportunities. The need for nurses with advanced skills has never been higher, for example, Seek predicts the demand for Nurse Unit Managers will increase by 23% by 2030. UTS Online’s Master of Advanced Nursing is designed for nurses who want to drive better outcomes for person-centred care in a range of health care settings. This course is delivered 100% online and influenced by strong healthcare industry partners, making it one of the most contemporary and comprehensive courses of its kind.
Master's 24 months (minimum) 12 Units
Units
  • Specialty Clinical Practice
  • Applied Pathophysiology in Practice
  • Evidence for Informing Practice
  • Advanced Professional Practice
  • Research in Health
  • Leading Health and Social Care
  • Improving Safety and Quality in Healthcare
  • Comprehensive Physical Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
  • Plus Electives
Master of Nursing Majoring in Leadership and Management
Master of Nursing Majoring in Leadership and Management
The JCU Online’s Master of Nursing gives you the preparation you’ll need to shine at the next level in your career – advanced communication skills, data management skills, governance knowledge, informatics, and the ability to design and implement evidence into practice. This course will equip you with the knowledge, proficiency, competency and expertise to succeed in your chosen specialisation. These core skills were specifically incorporated to ensure all graduates leave the course ready to take on the challenges presented by a changing healthcare landscape.
Master's 24 months 12 Units
Units
  • Informatics for Health Professionals
  • Effective Clinical Governance
  • Persuasive Communication
  • Synthesising Evidence for Healthcare
  • Quantitative Research in Healthcare
  • Qualitative Research in Healthcare
  • Implementing Practice Development in Healthcare Contexts
  • Professional Portfolios for Career Advancement
  • Leading and Managing in Health
  • Ethics and Health Management
  • Business and Finance for the Health Manager
  • Conflict and Dispute Resolution in Healthcare

Related Articles

Courses for nurses: the best education options for your career
Nursing

Courses for nurses: the best education options for your career

Whether you’re just starting out or are an experienced professional, let’s explore the many opportunities for your nursing career.
GlobalHealth Education
Updated on 01/05/2023
Nursing salary in Australia: does postgraduate study pay off?
Nursing

Nursing salary in Australia: does postgraduate study pay off?

Explore the benefits of postgraduate study and the relationship between postgraduate education and a nursing salary in Australia.
GlobalHealth Education
Updated on 22/05/2023
Nursing interview questions and tips for landing the job
Nursing

Nursing interview questions and tips for landing the job

Nursing is a career full of opportunities but any job market can be tough. Elevate your interview potential with these nursing interview questions, examples and tips.
GlobalHealth Education
Updated on 22/09/2023
The importance of effective communication in nursing
Nursing

The importance of effective communication in nursing

Fine-tuning your communication skills enhances your ability to interact with patients and colleagues in the workplace. 
GlobalHealth Education
Updated on 24/03/2023