What Visas Do UK Nurses Need To Work In Australia?

Are you a UK registered nurse thinking about migrating to Australia? There is a high demand for Registered Nurses in Australia, meaning most visa applications for nurses receive priority processing and there is an excellent range of nursing jobs available Downunder.

There are endless perks to working as a nurse in Australia – the climate, excellent food, and the white sandy beaches, just to name a few! However, before you move to Australia, you need to figure out what visa is the right one for you. There are a variety of ways that you can live and UK work visa in Australia, whether you want to permanently migrate, temporarily move to Australia, or just simply go on a working holiday to Oz.

The first step is to ensure you have applied or are registered with AHPRA (Australian Health Practioner Regulation Agency). Before you apply it is also good to make sure you have the minimum amount of qualifications and/or relevant experience working in a hospital/Emergency Departments, and you will need at least 12 months experience.

To work in Australia as a nurse, you must also ensure you are registered with the ‘Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’ and meet its registration standards.

Next you need to apply for that vital visa. There are a number of different visas which will help you work either temporarily or permanently in Australia…

The following visas are options for overseas nurses coming to Australia:

Skill Matching Visas:

If you qualify for this permanent visa, have skills that are in demand and are wanting to be nominated by a State or Territory government or an employer, then this visa is for you. You must be of the right age, satisfy certain criteria for skills and have an English language skills.

Business (Long Stay) Visa

This visa allows you to stay for up to four years. It allows you to stay up to 4 years with full work rights for both yourself and close family members.

Skilled (Australian Sponsored) Visa

You should consider this permanent visa an option if you are a nurse who is able to nominate a close relative living in Australia to be your sponsor.

Skilled Independent Visa

If you do not have a sponsor (or choose not to be sponsored) then you can still emigrate to Australia – however you will have to pass a Points Test that considers many factors. These include English language ability, skills, age, relevant work experience, and occupation.

Working Holiday Maker Visa

You may be able to move to Australia temporarily for a working holiday if you are between 18 and 30. The working holiday maker visa allows you to stay for a total of 12 whole months and work as a nurse with any single employer for 3 months.

Employer Nomination Scheme

If you are sponsored by an employer, have 3 years training, 3 years of relevant work experience, are less than 45 years of age – then you may be eligible for a permanent visa under the Employer Nomination Scheme.

Labour Agreements

This agreement is between the employer and the Australian Government. It allows the employer to recruit nurses on a permanent basis to fill vacant positions as they arise.

Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme

You must have at least the equivalent of an Australian diploma, which is two full years of study, to be considered under this scheme. The aim of this scheme is to help employers recruit skilled overseas nurses on a permanent basis, when they have not been able to fill vacancies from the labour market.

So once you know which visa is more suitable, you can independently apply for visas through the Australian Government here. However, it is best to apply through the many Immigration Agencies available to help you with you application, so that you have a better chance of being accepted.