Glossary

Registered Nurse (RN)

A degree-qualified, AHPRA-registered nurse.

A Registered Nurse (RN) is a degree-qualified nurse registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board through AHPRA. In Aged Care, RNs lead clinical care: assessment, care planning, medication management, wound care, and supervising enrolled nurses and personal care workers. Since the 24/7 RN requirement took effect, residential Aged Care homes must have a registered nurse on site at all times.

An RN's registration can be verified directly against the AHPRA public register, which confirms current registration and any conditions. It is important to note that AHPRA registration confirms a person is a licensed nurse, but it is not a substitute for worker screening. From 1 November 2025, Aged Care worker screening still requires either a police certificate issued under 3 years ago or an NDIS Worker Screening Check.

For providers, that means an RN's compliance picture has two parts: current AHPRA registration plus current screening, alongside mandatory training and immunisation. A Career Passport brings these together so a provider can see currency at a glance. See our AHPRA registration check guide.

See also
Enrolled NursePersonal Care Worker

This is general information, not compliance advice. Always confirm requirements with the relevant regulator, and remember that providers keep the legal responsibility to sight credentials and decide who can work.

We work hard to keep it accurate, but the rules change and we will not always get every detail right. If you think something here needs updating, email us at resources@koora.care. We would genuinely rather know, because we all do better when we help each other get it right.

Related guides
All sectors

How to check AHPRA registration (and why it is not screening)

How to search the AHPRA public Register of Practitioners, read registration status and conditions, and why AHPRA never replaces worker screening.

Read guideAged Care

Aged Care worker screening requirements in 2026

From 1 November 2025, every Aged Care worker needs a police certificate under three years old or an NDIS Worker Screening Clearance. Here is what the rules require.

Read guide

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