Australia
Working in Australia
We provide locum and permanent roles for Registered Nurses nationally through all states of Australia. Medacs Healthcare works with public and private hospitals as well as aged care facilities and private medical practices.
We cater for both Australian professionals and international candidates seeking to come and work in Australia. Our licenced Australian Migration Agent specialises in the arrangement of Sponsored Visas as well as Permanent Residency for suitable international applicants.
All citizens from outside Australia and New Zealand need a specific working visa in order to enter and work in Australia. As an agency that recruits large numbers of overseas skilled staff into Australia, you can be assured we can assist you should the right vacancies arise to meet your needs.
1. Working Holiday Visa -
The Working Holiday Program provides opportunities for people between 18 and 30 to holiday in Australia and to supplement their travel funds through incidental employment.
The visa allows a stay of up to 12 months from the date of first entry to Australia, regardless of whether or not you spend the whole time in Australia.
You are allowed to do any kind of work of a temporary or casual nature, but work for more than six months with any one employer is not permitted.
Australia has reciprocal Working Holiday maker arrangements in effect with the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Republic of Ireland, Republic of Korea, Malta, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China, Finland, the Republic of Cyprus, France, and Italy, Belgium and Taiwan if you are not from one of these countries, you cannot apply for a working holiday visa.
The Working Holiday Visa is used by backpackers and young travellers who wish to supplement their income while having a holiday in Australia.,
2. Sponsored Employee Visa -
Employers can sponsor overseas applicants into Australia for a period of up to four years if they can't fill a vacancy from the local work force. Employees will be under contract and can only work for their sponsoring employer - the visa is provided by the employer and links the employee to the job directly. This is the most common visa for job seekers over the age of 30 or those seeking to work in Australia for a few years or while they arrange immigration. We have a large number of clients across the professions at any one time who are prepared to sponsor the right applicants into Australia. These are across all states and a wide variety of locations. A sponsored visa also allows you to arrange to bring your spouse and dependents to Australia with you as well. For more details or to talk to us about what we can arrange for you, contact our office.
For further information on visas or to apply for a working holiday visa, visit the Australian Immigration Website. www.immi.gov.au
Working as a nurse in Australia
You need to be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. As of July 1st 2010, Australia has moved to a National Registration System for Registered Nurses from the 8 individual state board system. You should allow several months to complete this process of registration if you are an international applicant. You can find the board details through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency website at
www.ahpra.gov.au
New Zealander's can gain mutual recognition under the Trans Tasman agreement.
The nursing registration board in Australia is a statutory authority responsible for the registration of nurses and midwives. They exist to regulate nursing in the public interest.
The registration board in Australia ensures that practising nurses, midwives and mental health nurses have the skills, knowledge and aptitude required in their profession and are fit to practice.
The registration board investigates any misconduct or incompetence reports and initiate formal disciplinary action deemed necessary.
English requirement
One of the requirements before you can work in the medical field in Australia is to be proficient in English. If your secondary schooling was not in English, you must have your English skills assessed by the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). You will have to show proof of your proficiency in English. If you can not show proof of your English proficiency, you will need to sit the IELTS test.
There are two tests that can be taken.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Test Nurses and midwives must achieve at least 7 in speaking and writing and at least 6.5 in listening and reading with a minimum overall band score of 7.
- Occupational English Test (OET) for Nurses and midwives - must achieve a B pass or higher in all four sections of the OET test.
The following websites offer information on living and working in Australia:
- The Australian Government website
Beginning a Life in Australia is an excellent resource tool for prospective and newly arrived migrants to Australia.
- The eBook Nursing in Australia
A Guide to Working and Living as a Nurse Down Under aims to equip internationally qualified nurses with information prior to arriving in Australia and starting work in the health service.