OSCE exam fees in Australia for registered nurses

What the fee covers

The fee is for one sitting of the 10-station exam. Each station lasts 10 minutes: 2 minutes reading and 8 minutes performing. Sittings take place in Adelaide or Melbourne, so you must also budget for travel and a stay in Australia. Candidates can only sit it in person, and the exam cannot be taken from overseas.

Timing around payment

After you reach the OSCE stage you have 120 days to pay. Once you have paid, you have 180 days to schedule your exam date, or your case closes and the fee is refunded. The Board sends your confirmed date 4 to 8 weeks ahead. Results arrive by email within 8 weeks of the exam.

How many nurses sit it

Ahpra reports 3,633 sittings, including re-sits, in 2025/26. A sitting is one attempt, so a nurse who retakes counts more than once. The figure is not a count of individual nurses, and we do not publish a pass rate because we have no published source for one.

Practising before you pay

A failed sitting costs A$4,000, so it makes sense to practise first. A free station is open to try, no sign-up needed. See pricing for paid plans, the nursing OSCE overview for the format and what an OSCE is if the term is new. Our feedback is an estimate, not an exam result.

Common questions

How much is the nursing OSCE in Australia?

A$4,000 per sitting.

Do I pay again if I fail the OSCE?

Yes. A new sitting needs a new payment of A$4,000.