AHPRA registration

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency changed its methods of assessment a couple of years ago (now using the Australian Qualifications Framework) and we are hearing regular reports of Diploma qualified overseas nurses not making the grade for acceptance onto the register.

Don’t despair if you possess a diploma as you may still be eligible if you have completed further formal nursing studies, but it is very important to check you meet the registration requirements before making plans to travel.

Follow the link here to review the requirements: https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Registration-and-Endorsement/International.aspx

Applicable experience

Bower Healthcare supplies the Sydney hospital market and here our clients are very particular about the length of applicable experience that agency nurses must possess. They will not take any Registered Nurses that haven’t completed the equivalent of 12 months full-time relevant post grad clinical experience (in excess of 1,982 hours). The nurse must also be more than a year out of training, e.g. you cannot work excessively to accrue 1,982 hours over a period of less than 12 months.
Irish trained nurses need to also be aware that the internship taken as part of the degree is not included in the assessment of post-graduate experience.

Previously nurses could declare their hours of experience in a Statutory Declaration, but more frequently now we are seeing a demand by hospitals for evidence of post-grad experience in the form of official Statements of Service covering the length of employment. We therefore recommend that nurses seek appropriate documents to bring with them to save problems later.

Seasonal demand

The demand for agency nurses in Sydney is highly seasonal and this is worth considering when planning your visit. Generally, the peak time is from late Autumn (May) to late Spring (November) when shifts are plentiful and cancellation rates at their lowest. During the other months the availability of work can be patchy and cancellations frequent (especially so for more general nurses). With this in mind, we recommend that you look at the option of staying in Sydney during the busy time and fulfill your travelling and other plans when it’s quieter.

More information can be found here

Click here to apply from the UK