How Many CPD Hours Do Nurses Need in Australia? (2026 Guide)

If you're a registered nurse, enrolled nurse, or midwife in Australia, completing your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours isn't optional — it's a mandatory requirement to maintain your AHPRA registration.

But exactly how many hours do you need? What activities count? And what happens if you fall short?

Here's everything you need to know about CPD requirements for nurses in Australia in 2026.

CPD Hours Required for Nurses in Australia

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) requires all registered nurses, enrolled nurses, and midwives to complete a minimum of 20 hours of CPD per registration year.

This is an annual requirement — not a triennial cycle like some other health professions. Every year, you need to log at least 20 hours of learning activities relevant to your scope of practice.

Key Points

• Minimum: 20 hours per year
• Cycle: Annual (aligned with your registration period)
• Applies to: Registered nurses, enrolled nurses, and midwives
• Must be: Relevant to your scope of practice

Some nurses choose to complete more than 20 hours, particularly those working towards specialist qualifications or in areas with rapidly evolving clinical practices. The 20-hour minimum is exactly that — a minimum.

What Counts as CPD for Nurses?

The NMBA recognises a wide range of learning activities as valid CPD. The key requirement is that each activity must be relevant to your professional practice and contribute to your ongoing competence.

Recognised CPD Activities

• Conferences and seminars — Attending nursing conferences, workshops, and professional development events
• Online courses and e-learning — Completing accredited online modules and webinar programs
• Clinical supervision — Participating in formal supervision sessions with a senior clinician
• Peer review activities — Engaging in peer discussion, case review, and clinical reflection
• Reading professional journals — Critically appraising research articles and nursing publications
• Mentoring and preceptoring — Supervising students and colleagues (counts as CPD for the mentor)
• Quality improvement projects — Participating in clinical audits and quality improvement initiatives
• Reflective practice — Maintaining a professional portfolio with reflective entries
• Postgraduate study — Undertaking further education relevant to your practice area

What Doesn't Count

Generally, the following don't count towards your CPD hours:

• Routine orientation activities required by your employer
• Mandatory training that's part of your standard role (e.g., basic fire safety)
• Activities not relevant to your nursing practice
• Attending meetings without an educational component

How to Document Your CPD Hours

The NMBA requires you to keep documented evidence of your CPD activities. You should record:

1. What you learned — the topic or activity
2. When you completed it — the date
3. How long it took — the number of hours
4. Evidence — certificates, receipts, reflective notes

You don't need to submit your CPD records every year. However, the NMBA can audit your records at any time, so you need to have everything documented and ready.

Using a CPD Tracker

Many nurses use spreadsheets or paper records to track their CPD hours. While this works, it can be time-consuming and hard to keep organised — especially when you need to find evidence for an audit.

A dedicated CPD tracker like CPDKeep simplifies this by:

• Logging hours in seconds — quick entry from your phone between shifts
• Attaching evidence — upload certificates and documents directly to each activity
• Tracking progress — see at a glance how many hours you've completed
• Generating reports — produce audit-ready PDF reports instantly

Common Questions About Nurse CPD

Do I need to complete CPD if I'm on maternity leave?

If your registration is active, you still need to meet CPD requirements. However, the NMBA may consider reduced or modified CPD activities during extended leave. Contact the NMBA directly for guidance on your specific situation.

Can I carry over extra CPD hours to the next year?

No. CPD hours cannot be carried over from one registration year to the next. Each year stands alone, and you must complete a fresh 20 hours.

What happens if I don't complete 20 hours?

Failing to meet CPD requirements may affect your registration renewal. In an audit, you'll need to demonstrate compliance. If you can't, the NMBA may impose conditions on your registration or require a remediation plan.

Does study for a postgraduate qualification count?

Yes, study towards a relevant postgraduate qualification counts as CPD. You can log the hours spent on coursework, clinical placements, and assessments that contribute to your professional development.

Tips for Completing Your 20 Hours

1. Start early — Don't leave it until the last month of your registration year
2. Mix it up — Combine formal learning (courses, conferences) with informal activities (reading, reflection)
3. Log as you go — Record activities immediately so you don't forget the details
4. Keep evidence — Save certificates, receipts, and reflective notes for each activity
5. Make it relevant — Choose activities that genuinely improve your practice, not just fill hours

Stay on Track with CPDKeep

CPDKeep is purpose-built for Australian nurses to track CPD hours and stay AHPRA compliant. With automatic tracking, evidence uploads, and audit-ready reports, you'll never have to worry about your CPD records again.

Ready to simplify your CPD tracking? Start tracking for free with CPDKeep.