Meeting AHPRA requirements as a International Trained Nurse from the Philippines

cvekowalska · Aug 26, 2014

If you think we should take action for these delays on our application, then we should. If UK nurses took their own fight to be heard, then we should also. How many Filipino educated nurse have you heard was given a decision after this new scheme? I know one. Single applicant after hundreds of us?
We can email Mr. Fletcher, CEO of AHPRA about our disappointment.
Our wait, especially those who have lodged their papers last year, is already irrational and illogical.

These statistics are hard to ascertain from where you are coming from. Only the Australian Board has the capacity to issue this information. The Board are run by Nurse Assessors who have a huge experience in assessing papers. I believe being polite and courteous in communicating with the Australian Board will go a long way.

cvekowalska · Aug 26, 2014

hi,
AHPRA (melbourne) just received my application and my registration officer is asking for the certificate of good standing.
I have a few questions.
1. Since DHL/LBC can not deliver to a P.O. Box address, is this the correct physical adress[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD]Victoria[/TD]
[TD]AHPRA
G.P.O. Box 9958
Melbourne VIC 3001[/TD]
[TD]Level 8, 111 Bourke Street
Melbourne VIC 3000[/TD]
[TD]to where i can send my good standing certificate?[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
2. When will they ask for the IELTS official TRF be sent to them?
3. Can i send the other requirements like criterion 8 to the same address?
Thank you!

Street Address: Level 8, 111 Bourke Street

Melbourne VIC 3000

Just a friendly advice that sending by registered post usually is sufficient and will save you money.

Ask IELTS Philippines now to send the TRF to AHPRA. As soon as they receive it, they will match it against your name and date of birth. You must have included a copy of your IELTS with your application though.

Yes, your school will Send Criterion 8 to AHPRA, not you.

You can actually send you application to any AHPRA offices statewide as AHPRA now shres the same system, your papers get scanned and filed into your account!

cvekowalska · Aug 26, 2014

Can someone enlighten me about the difference between ANMAC and AHPRA.

ANMAC is the government body who can assess your papers ( as an IEN ) that can be used for migration

AHPRA is the registering body who assesses your suitability for registration as an RN in Australia.

E.G. as an IEN, you can apply directly to AHPRA to have your credentials assessed. If deemed suitable for registration and granted a registration, you can look for an employer who can nominate you for a working Visa - but not a permanent residency Visa.

If you apply directly to ANMAC and assessed as comparable to an Australian RN - this is sufficient to apply for Migration as a permanent resident. And once in Australa, you have to apply to AHPRA for registration.

The first pathway is the easier and faster pathway

jotdi · Aug 26, 2014

Big Help Thank you!

I would really love to save money, but I also want to save time and a tracking number would definitely give me peace of mind.

ajamb · Aug 26, 2014

Filipino nurses who gained considerable experience in the US or UK are usually not required to undergo bridging program.
Overseas application takes time given verification of documents and each applicant is assessed individually.
When Filipino nurses start working in an Australian facility - they then would realize why it is important to undergo the bridging process. The System is very different from the Philippines and Australia even medications!

Yes thats true! BP is very important, medications and their protocols..

I know, I work as an AIN with UnitingCare

cvekowalska · Aug 26, 2014

Yes thats true! BP is very important, medications and their protocols..
I know, I work as an AIN with UnitingCare

This is the same for fair dinkie Aussie RN's who have been out of nursing for more than 5 years, they have to undergo the same bridging program for re-entry to practice. Same price, same requirements. no exemption.

official02 · Aug 26, 2014

Filipino nurses who gained considerable experience in the US or UK are usually not required to undergo bridging program.
Overseas application takes time given verification of documents and each applicant is assessed individually.
When Filipino nurses start working in an Australian facility - they then would realize why it is important to undergo the bridging process. The System is very different from the Philippines and Australia even medications!

It is clearly written that with the current assessment process, work experience is not part of the 8 criteria, only against the recency of practice rule.

It may really be a different scenario now.

US/UK/Canada nursing experience was given weight in assessment before but since the change and with the rule clearly written on their site, it's a different story now.

If they have subsequent qualification from those countries or even the Phil is another story.

official02 · Aug 26, 2014

hi,
AHPRA (melbourne) just received my application and my registration officer is asking for the certificate of good standing.
I have a few questions.
1. Since DHL/LBC can not deliver to a P.O. Box address, is this the correct physical adress[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD]Victoria[/TD]
[TD]AHPRA
G.P.O. Box 9958
Melbourne VIC 3001[/TD]
[TD]Level 8, 111 Bourke Street
Melbourne VIC 3000[/TD]
[TD]to where i can send my good standing certificate?[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
2. When will they ask for the IELTS official TRF be sent to them?
3. Can i send the other requirements like criterion 8 to the same address?
Thank you!

1. Street address

2. I did not send my IELTS TRF. That's how I understood the application form. AHPRA did not ask me about it either. Certified True Copy will do unless new rule is stated on the AGOS. It saves money.

3. Only your school and regulatory authority can send IQNM 2, 3, 8 to NSW Office.

official02 · Aug 26, 2014

These statistics are hard to ascertain from where you are coming from. Only the Australian Board has the capacity to issue this information. The Board are run by Nurse Assessors who have a huge experience in assessing papers. I believe being polite and courteous in communicating with the Australian Board will go a long way.

Who says airing one's side should be impolite and discourteous?

*rolleyes*

ordoghaz · Aug 26, 2014

It is clearly written that with the current assessment process, work experience is not part of the 8 criteria, only against the recency of practice rule.
It may really be a different scenario now.
US/UK/Canada nursing experience was given weight in assessment before but since the change and with the rule clearly written on their site, it's a different story now.
If they have subsequent qualification from those countries or even the Phil is another story.

To be fair, if we were to talk about Phil RNs which what this thread is about, having gained exp in western countries would have meant you must have met registration criteria and met educational requirements for this country you work for. It's true though, it's explicitly advised they do not weigh experience in on the application process, although looking at your CV and training stuff, will probably help them decided whether you need BP or not. I don't mind doing it, it's only money I'm worried about. I would like to go back to school actually.. And yes, I would say, UK wise, nursing is different compared with the work entails in the Phil, nurses have a bit more autonomy in care given and decision making, and significantly more social service involvement.

jmolina1985 · Aug 27, 2014

Just sharing my two cents regarding the recent posts:

1. Jodti: In my experience, AHPRA would give you instructions regarding where to send the documents. Be very careful not to be sending documents which are supposed to come directly from Philippine entities as AHPRA must receive these documents directly from the concerned Philippine institutions (ex: Criteria 2 and 8: Directly from your school, Criteria 3: Directly from CHED). I would concur that registered post is enough, the office would usually receive the documents within 2 weeks. All documents received will be scanned and be used for internal collaboration meaning that even if all IQNM applications are assessed in NSW, Melbourne would upload these files. Regarding your IELTS, a certified true copy coming from you along with your application (AGOS-40) would have sufficed I assume?

If you're really into sending the documents via Courier (which I would not advise), I was told (via Phone) to send it to the physical office and mind you, AHPRA's office in Melbourne is sitting on top of a very large Australia Post outlet. Again your documents would be scanned.

I refer to a section of an e-mail I received on April from my case officer when I was asked for a more specific Certificate of Service (to include status and hours tendered as AHPRA cannot interpret Probationary and Regular as against Casual, Permanent Part time, and Permanent Full Time).

"Can I supply the required accreditation information directly with my application?

No. You must arrange for the accreditation information to be sent directly from the education institution or regulatory authority responsible for the accreditation of your program of study overseas. The National Board will not accept information sent directly by you with your application for registration.

How will I know if my accreditation information has been received?

AHPRA will inform you if we do not receive the information sent directly from the education institution or regulatory authority responsible for the accreditation of a program of study overseas within 28 days of receiving your application.

What happens if my place of study or my course were not accredited?

Accreditation of the education institution and nursing or midwifery program of study is essential. If your education provider or program of study is not accredited, your qualification will not meet the criteria for assessment of educational equivalence.

In this instance, you may enrol in a Board-approved program of study leading to registration as a nurse or a midwife in Australia and seek advanced standing for previous study (Recognition of Prior Learning, or RPL). The decision about whether to recognise your prior learning is made by the education provider."

2. ordoghaz: One of my friend's husband is a Filipino-trained nurse who underwent UK's BP and worked there for over a year. He was given direct registration but this was roughly two years ago. I hope they will consider your case as well. It would make sense if ANMAC would consider similar circumstances for skills assessment, I do not see why AHPRA should have a problem (here).

3. All decisions come from the board (see here) even if AHPRA assesses your qualification as below AQF 5. Here is another statement reinforcing the idea:

AHPRA assesses overseas applications on behalf of the National Board, which is responsible for the final decision on each application. As part of the assessment process, each overseas qualification is independently assessed to determine its educational level relative to the AQF framework (source here).

So, I concur with ordoghaz, AHPRA's assessment of his education is likely to refer him to a BP however, this will be AHPRA's recommendation (in theory) only, the board's decision regarding his application may be influenced by factors other than education (assumption).

official02 · Aug 27, 2014

To be fair, if we were to talk about Phil RNs which what this thread is about, having gained exp in western countries would have meant you must have met registration criteria and met educational requirements for this country you work for. It's true though, it's explicitly advised they do not weigh experience in on the application process, although looking at your CV and training stuff, will probably help them decided whether you need BP or not. I don't mind doing it, it's only money I'm worried about. I would like to go back to school actually.. And yes, I would say, UK wise, nursing is different compared with the work entails in the Phil, nurses have a bit more autonomy in care given and decision making, and significantly more social service involvement.

This is posted on AHPRA website last July:

"The*National Law requires consideration of the qualification(s) only. This means we do not consider nursing or midwifery work experience when assessing your qualifications. However, we consider work experience when assessing whether you meet the requirements of the National Board’s Recency of practice registration standard."

That's why I said, it's a different story nowadays. A Filipino-educated nurse went to SG to work for 5 years, she graduated with a Grad Cert from SG while working. She applied for AHPRA and was given registration after the new criteria.

MAYBE, if a Filipino educated nurse graduated with MAN, MSN or PhD she will be registered also.

Oh well, who knows, you may be also given registration. :)

And yes, the idea of going back to school is fun. :)