Essentials You Need To Know For Overseas Registered Nurses in Australia
Understanding About Work Visa For Overseas Nurses in Australia
Australia presents a number of visa choices to foreign nurses, based on qualifications, professional background, and the length of time one plans to stay. The most frequent visas for international nurses are:
- Temporary Skill Shortage Visa: This Visa is suitable for skilled workers sponsored by an employer in Australia to fill in a gap in the Australian labour market where there is not enough workforce for a position.
- Skilled Independent Visa: This visa is for skilled workers that are not sponsored by an employer, state or territory and is based on points. Nurses with Australian recognised qualifications, meeting the points requirement can apply.
- Skilled Nominated Visa: The visa is very similar to the skilled independent visa, yet you must be nominated by an Australian territory or state.
- Employer Nomination Scheme Visa: This kind of visa allows workers who are skilled enough and are being nominated by employers, to stay and work forever in Australia.
Registration with AHPRA
In Australia, all practising nurses are required to register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. Among other things, he or she will be asked to produce documentation of their educational background and evidence of their proficiency in the English language. During registration, these checks will also be performed on the AHPRA Criminal History Check under the auspices of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. To be registered, you need to have professional indemnity insurance.
Understanding The Visa Options For Overseas Registered Nurses in Australia
This will take several steps to achieve, so getting ahead is important; obtaining a work visa in order to work as a registered nurse takes a couple of months.
- First of all, you have to pass a skills assessment test, which again is quite an important procedure in the process. Of course, this will be done by an official body; hence you will need to collect all the documents necessary to prove your qualifications and experience.
- Provided you can pass the skills assessment, this will then turn into a positive result, which will enable you to progress further and apply for a visa.
- If you are applying for a points-based visa, you will need to submit an Expression of Interest through the SkillSelect system.
- After submitting your Expression of Interest or in the case where you are invited to apply, this is where you will proceed to the actual application for the visa. This is normally done online through the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.
- In this stage you will also need some documents hence it is advisable to keep them readily available:
skills assessment results
proof of English language proficiency
evidence of your AHPRA registration - A medical test is also required to make sure that you meet all the required health standards to work as a nurse.
The Visa Process For Overseas Registered Nurses in Australia
There are various steps involved in the visa process, let us now have a look at the same:
Online Application: Most of the visa applications are made through the Australian Department of Home Affairs website and are done by giving personal information, evidence of the outcome of your skills assessment, an English language test, and AHPRA registration.
Visa Fees: Also be prepared to pay the applicable fee, which varies based on the category of the visa you are applying for.
Preparing For Your Upcoming Life In Australia
Now once you are done with the visa application you are good to go! Your life in Australia awaits you! Now all you have to do is find the right job. But where to find the right employment opportunities in Australia?
- Hospitals: Out of all the workers in Australia’s health sector, these public and private hospitals employ the greatest number of nurses.
- Aged Care: As the number of senior citizens expanded, so did the necessity for nurses in the context of aged care facilities’ provision of healthcare. This sector has a huge demand for registered nurses.
- Community Health: In community health centres, where they provide healthcare in less formal settings, nurses are also in high demand.
Waiting Period of The Visa
You need to keep in mind that according to your type of visa and the completion rate of your application, the waiting time of the visa process will differ. You can check and monitor the time frame with the Department of Home Affairs.
If in the second situation, you’re presently residing in Australia on another type of visa, you will be given a bridging visa which allows you to remain and engage in employment within the state for a longer time frame during your work visa processing.
But What Makes Australia The Right Place?
- Australia’s healthcare system is expanding swiftly and wants more qualified nurses. As such, there are so many job openings, especially in regions like Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney or Melbourne.
- Your skills will be greatly appreciated regardless of whether you are a registered nurse, an enrolled one or specialised in any field.
- When compared with other nations, nurses in Australia earn commendable salaries. Besides a decent pay package, you may also be entitled to extra perks such as paid overtime, vacation or annual leave, medical leaves, gym memberships etc.
- In Australia emphasis has been laid on work life balance therefore there will be ample time for one to relish their life beyond employment obligations.
- It is well known that Australia has a great healthcare model. In addition, professional nurses work in tidy, well-provided aged care homes, hospitals, facilities and places of treatment.
- Thus, advanced levels of care imply that you shall be able to use common contemporary medical devices as well as get professional education on the same which will promote your professional growth.
Employment Opportunities For Overseas Registered Nurse In Australia
At Superior Care, overseas-registered nurses are introduced to a rewarding career with a family-run aged care business that has been operating since 1979. We are dedicated to providing you with professional assistance in making the complicated process of registration, employment, and integration into the Australian healthcare system easier.
Looking forward to a new life in Australia? Get in touch with us today and make sure you are getting the right opportunities for your skill sets. Contact Superior Care today about how we can help you meet your career goals in this dynamic and rewarding environment.
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