Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (ANZSCO 254422)
Updated
What a Registered Nurse (Mental Health) does
Provides nursing care to patients with mental health illness, disorder and dysfunction, and those experiencing emotional difficulties, distress and crisis in health, welfare and aged care facilities, correctional services and the community. Registration or licensing is required.
- Also called
- Psychiatric Nurse
- Specialisations
- Psychopaedic Nurse (NZ), Registered Nurse (Child and Adolescence Mental Health), Registered Nurse (Drug and Alcohol), Registered Nurse (Psychiatric Rehabilitation), Registered Nurse (Psychogeriatric Care)
Key facts
- ANZSCO code
- 254422
- Skill level
- 1Bachelor degree or higher
- Assessing authority
- ANMAC
- National shortage
- Shortage
Visa options
Occupation eligibility is one requirement; each visa page links to the rest.
Points-tested
- Subclass 189 Skilled IndependentVia MLTSSLEligible
- Subclass 190 Skilled NominatedVia MLTSSLEligible
- Subclass 491, state or territory nominatedVia MLTSSLEligible
- Subclass 491, family sponsoredVia MLTSSLEligible
Employer-sponsored
Main tasks
- assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating nursing care for patients according to accepted nursing practice and standards
- working in consultation with other Health Professionals and members of health teams, and coordinating the care of patients
- providing interventions, treatments and therapies such as medications, and monitoring responses to treatment and care plan
- promoting health and assisting in preventing ill health by participating in health education and other health promotion activities
- answering questions and providing information to patients and families about treatment and care
- supervising and coordinating the work of Enrolled Nurses and other health care workers
Shortage by state
- NationalShortage
- ACTShortage
- NSWShortage
- NTShortage
- QLDShortage
- SAShortage
- TASShortage
- VICShortage
- WAShortage
State and territory nomination
For the 190 and 491, each state and territory also has its own occupation list.
Common questions
What does a Registered Nurse (Mental Health) do?
Provides nursing care to patients with mental health illness, disorder and dysfunction, and those experiencing emotional difficulties, distress and crisis in health, welfare and aged care facilities, correctional services and the community. Registration or licensing is required. Also called: Psychiatric Nurse. (ABS ANZSCO description.)
Is Registered Nurse (Mental Health) on the skilled occupation list?
Yes. Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (ANZSCO 254422) is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) (lists in force from 14 December 2024). It is listed for the 186, 189, 190, 482, 491 and 494 visas.
What is the ANZSCO code for Registered Nurse (Mental Health)?
254422. Home Affairs uses ANZSCO codes for skilled visas.
How can a Registered Nurse (Mental Health) migrate to Australia?
The occupation lists Home Affairs publishes include Registered Nurse (Mental Health) for the Subclass 186, Subclass 189, Subclass 190, Subclass 482, Subclass 491 and Subclass 494 visas. Being on a list is one requirement among several; each visa's page links to Home Affairs for the rest.
Who assesses Registered Nurse (Mental Health) for an Australian visa?
ANMAC, the skills assessing authority listed for 254422.
Is Registered Nurse (Mental Health) in demand in Australia?
Jobs and Skills Australia rated it "Shortage" nationally in its 2025 Occupation Shortage List, with ratings for each state and territory shown above.