Nursing job Sydney for working holiday visa holder

How to get a job as a nurse In Sydney If you Are not an Australian

Ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world with a high quality of life, Sydney is an ideal destination for foreigners looking for a new place to work and live. The following post is intended to guide you on how to get a job as a nurse in Sydney if you are not an Australian.

Step One – Meeting The Registration Requirements 

As a registered nurse in your home country, for you to be considered for migration to Australia, you will have to meet the registration requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Your application for registration is then assessed based on the following five criteria.

1. Confirming you identity

Establishing your identity with relevant ‘proof of identity’ documents such as birth certificates, passport, national identity, nursing license and so on.

• Meeting the required language proficiency standards

  For this purpose you would have to successfully complete the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination that consists of four assessment sections such as listening, reading, writing and speaking in which you are required to score a minimum of seven for each of these sections.

Or else you will have to score an overall pass in the Occupation English Test (OET) with only an A or B grade for each of the four sections mentioned above.

• Meeting the current Australian nursing and midwifery education standards

This is where a nursing degree, diploma or any other further nursing qualification  along with a first level nurse registration in  countries such as UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore will recognize and equalize the same qualification in Australia.

Failing to meet this criterion from the listed countries would require an individual assessment in order to recognize the qualification from the respective board.

•  Confirming former work experience

This involves presenting evidence of practicing as a nurse or midwife for a defined period (Minimum 5 years) preceding the submission of the application.

• Establishing yourself as a fit individual for the position

You should prove that there is no mental or physical incapacity arising from you, that there is no disciplinary proceedings against you and that you have a clean criminal history which all would not restrict you to practice as a nurse in Australia.

If you fail to meet the requirements of step one because of unrecognized education standards or experience, you will be required to purse an “Occupational Trainee Visa” or a “Business Short Stay Visa” that would allow you to follow bridging programs usually priced between AUD 11,000 to AUD 16,000 in order to improve and enhance your skills to better fit the position.

         
Step 2 – Submitting The Registration Application

If you meet the required criteria under step one then submit the registration application to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. 

Step 3 – Getting Your Visa

Once you have successfully registered with APHRA as a nurse you will then require a VISA to be allowed to live and work in Australia. If you are sponsored by an employer there are many Visa options available to choose from in order to best suit your needs.  

Or if you are not sponsored you can pursue a VISA through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) provisions.