OSCE Australia

The RN OSCE handbook:
10 things to check.

Read the handbook dated 7 July 2026 before making your examination plan. This original guide points you to the decisions that matter; the linked PDF and your correspondence remain the authority.

Open the Ahpra RN OSCE handbook PDF →

  1. Confirm your pathway

    RN, EN and midwifery examinations are separate. Check that the RN handbook and your dashboard match your route.

  2. Understand the time boundary

    Ten stations each have two minutes of reading and eight of performance. Rehearse the transition as well as the conversation.

  3. Separate reading notes from clinical records

    Plan during reading time. Put required clinical documentation in the station’s patient folder; personal notes are not a substitute.

  4. Know who you are addressing

    You may encounter an actor, a manikin, a caregiver or a colleague. Continue addressing the patient when an examiner voices a manikin’s response.

  5. Prepare to demonstrate practical skills

    Speaking about a physical action does not demonstrate it in the examination. Arrange supervised equipment practice alongside online rehearsal.

  6. Map the scope

    Assessment and care planning, care delivery and evaluation all matter. Communication, consent, documentation and safety run through them.

  7. Track payment and allocation separately

    Check the 120-day payment and 180-day completion windows. Offshore candidates also need the supporting letter and valid visa submission.

  8. Check the attendance rules

    Read identification, dress, belongings, confidentiality and reasonable-adjustment instructions, as well as your allocated venue and session.

  9. Read the withdrawal conditions early

    If plans change, contact the examination team promptly. Sufficient notice is five full business days; wait for written confirmation.

  10. Plan for results and the next step

    Results arrive within eight weeks. Review each station’s outcome and band. After passing, apply for registration within the stated 90-day period.

We link to the original PDF rather than hosting a copy or reproducing its examples, charts or scenarios. Check the NMBA resource page for a newer version before relying on a saved copy.

Last checked 2026-10-30 · NMBA exam information · RN Standards for Practice

Sources: RN OSCE Candidate Handbook, 7 July 2026 (PDF) · NMBA registered-nurses examination information · RN Standards for Practice.

Questions about this RN OSCE guide

Where can I get the RN OSCE handbook PDF?

Use the Ahpra PDF linked on this page and confirm the latest version on the NMBA examination resources page. This guide was checked against the handbook dated 7 July 2026.

Does this guide replace the candidate handbook?

No. This is an original reading guide. Read the current handbook, candidate rules and your own IQNM correspondence before paying, travelling or attending.