@pauline Is your concern about the english language skills just for course requirement or the registration with AHPRA itself? I was going over the AHPRA requirement for registration and only these are exempted...
https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/documents/default.aspx?record=WD18%2F26544&dbid=AP&chksum=F8N7r%2FC%2FG98Cz21shcKTRA%3D%3D
_The recognised countries are: Australia, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, the
Republic of Ireland and South Africa. With the exception of South Africa and Australia, these countries are
the same as the countries recognised by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) for
the purpose of exempting visa applicants from having to sit a test to demonstrate English language
competency._
Perhaps the idea of taking a Certificate 3 or 4 qualification is to add more study years to the regular 3-4 year nursing course duration inorder to qualify for the Extended Education Pathway exemption.
_- demonstrate you meet the standard through the Extended Education Pathway** if you have completed
and can provide evidence for at least five years (full-time equivalent) continuous education in English
in a recognised country**, including evidence of at least:
in a full-time equivalent pre-registration program of study approved by the recognised nursing and/or
midwifery regulatory body in any of the recognised countries._
While the idea seems plausible, my take on the matter is that while the certificate courses may provide a pathway to the exemption, is the cost and time involved really worth it? Admittedly, I do not know
The bottom line would seem to be to be able to make a cost-benefit analysis between taking those certificate courses against taking the English exams straight away. Of course, you may also look at it in the perspective that since most Certificate courses take about a year or less to finish, after which you can now be employed and have more means to be able to enrol into the regular nursing program.