Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency): ANZSCO 254415 explained

Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) is ANZSCO code 254415, skill level 1.

This is a specialist nursing role. The work centres on care for critically ill patients and patients whose condition is unstable, including after injury, surgery, or during the acute phase of disease. It covers high-dependency settings where nurses integrate advanced monitoring and life-support equipment into day-to-day care.

Skill level 1 in ANZSCO means the occupation is typically linked to a bachelor degree or higher qualification, plus registration. For overseas-trained nurses, the practical entry point is registration, not just a transcript.

Who assesses this occupation

The assessing authority for 254415 is AHPRA (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency), via the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). AHPRA assesses whether your overseas nursing qualification meets the standards for registration in Australia.

The occupation page for 254415 carries the current authority detail and any updates.

Which visa lists include this code

As of 2025-06-09, ANZSCO 254415 appears on two Australian lists and is relevant to one New Zealand pathway:

• Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL): inclusion opens pathways to visas such as the subclass 189 (points-tested permanent) and subclass 482 (temporary skills). Check the current MLTSSL on Home Affairs.
• Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL): this is the list that applies to the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482, Core Skills stream). Same Home Affairs source.

Being on a list opens a pathway. It does not mean your application will succeed or that you currently have a sponsor.

2024 Occupation Shortage List: Jobs and Skills Australia rated this occupation S (in shortage) nationally in their 2024 assessment. That is a separate, point-in-time read of labour market conditions. It is not the same as list membership, and it can change each cycle. See the full 2024 Occupation Shortage List.

ANZSCO 254415 is on the NZ Green List Tier 1. Tier 1 roles qualify for the Straight to Residence visa pathway. Check the NZ Immigration Green List for current qualification and registration requirements.

Near-miss codes

Two codes in the same Registered Nurses group (2544) are easy to mix up with 254415:

• Registered Nurse (Medical) 254418: this code covers general medical ward nursing, not the high-dependency or emergency settings covered by 254415.
• Registered Nurse (Surgical) 254424: this code covers peri-operative and surgical nursing. Critical care work after surgery may overlap in practice, but the codes are distinct in ANZSCO.

Using the wrong code in a nomination or assessment application can slow things down. If your work spans more than one of these roles, check with an assessor or a registered migration agent.

Find your code

Browse all Registered Nurses under ANZSCO group 2544 or search the full classification at anzscofinder.com/en/anzsco/2022/.

If you are unsure which code fits your actual work history, the CV matcher at app.anzscofinder.com can show you the closest codes based on your experience.

For advice on which visa to apply for and whether your situation meets the requirements, speak to a registered migration agent. We find codes. We do not give visa advice.