American Nurse Seeking to Work in Australia

Silverdragon102, BSN · May 6, 2012

Moved to the International forum

You can do either however doing it yourself means you have more control where you go.

APHRA will make a decision but I believe from the US nurses that posted no there is no bridging program to do

joeldew · May 6, 2012

Hey there! Sorry if this a repeat of several other topics..I've been reading through many threads, and there is so much information, I'm getting overloaded.
I'm an RN currently working as a traveler in the US. I have almost 2 years of experience. I would really love to work in Australia though. I have spoken to one travel agency - Worldwide Travel Staffing, but haven't talked to them much more than a couple phone calls. All I've really gotten out of them is it's usually a year-long commitment, and lots of paperwork?
I've seen some people say work with an agency, don't work with an agency..and the whole process just seems very confusing. Any tips, hints? Do I need to do one of the bridging programs..take an exam? I'm very tentative to do this by myself without an agency there to help me out.
Thanks!!

G'day,

You need to be registered by AHPRA. They will assess your education/experience and guide you through the registration process. Hence,

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Home

When the registration process is completed, peruse the following site for employment:

Careers in Health - NSW Health

*assuming that you want to work in New South Wales.

Some of the major hospitals will provide direct sponsorship (Visas can be obtained for up to 4 years).

The process is very streamlined and easy-to-manage.

Alas, the same cannot be said for the reverse.

ceridwyn · May 6, 2012

Ditto above post, you need to be legally able to work in Australia and have an employer sponsor you.....these are now becoming less and less especially in Melbourne (Victoria) you may by the time you have registration, have to consider aged care or a country hospital for consideration of a sponsorship visa.

If you are under 30 and citizen of the US you can get a working holiday visa,

Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)

AHPRA assessment and registration can be a 6-12 months time frame, do that first

Bringonthenight · May 7, 2012

I know a lot of American and Canadian nurses who have come to Aus. They all started with a nursing agency before getting permanent jobs. They told me waiting for AHPRA registration took ages (5months for one of them!). They said the hardest part of it all was adjusting to the way Australian nurses work. It is much more laid back from the stories they tell me. Also we are one of the only countries who don't have an entry exam. I personally disagree with this, but you should take advantage of it! It is much much much harder for us to get work in your country or any other for that matter. Let us know how you go!

ceridwyn · May 7, 2012

EU countries and the UK do not have entry exams either! but then you do need to be EU citizen or claim to it to work in the UK, but they make all of us from english speaking countries do the IELTS! if you are thinking of going anywhere there.

etoile88, BSN, MSN, RN, NP · May 8, 2012

Glad to hear that it's relatively easy. Too bad about it not being reciprocal though. I just feel so overwhelmed! I'm so used to my agency handling everything here in the U.S. I guess I need to get the ball rolling on APHRA..

etoile88, BSN, MSN, RN, NP · May 8, 2012

Slightly depressing to hear that it may take several months to be recognized (I'm young and impatient!!)..do you think partnering with an internat'l agency might help that process?? They didn't mention anything to me about it taking so long..

As far as the Visas are concerned, I am under 30 so I can qualify for the Holiday visa. Do you recommend that route?? Thanks!!

Silverdragon102, BSN · May 8, 2012

Going with an agency isn't going to make the processing time any quicker

etoile88, BSN, MSN, RN, NP · May 10, 2012

I figured as much.. Well, I'm starting my paperwork this week or next week! Hopefully the months will go by quickly.. :)

etoile88, BSN, MSN, RN, NP · May 11, 2012

EU countries and the UK do not have entry exams either! but then you do need to be EU citizen or claim to it to work in the UK, but they make all of us from english speaking countries do the IELTS! if you are thinking of going anywhere there.

I've been looking into that as well since the test dates and locations are few and far between..so regardless of the fact that I'm from the U.S., I have to take the IELTS, correct?

ceridwyn · May 12, 2012

If you are educated secondary, educated nursing and practised in the USA it seems you do not have to do the IELTS for Australia, however if you are thinking about the UK, then yes, even from the USA does not get you out of the IELTS.

I was born in the UK, but brought to Australia as a 3 month old, parents english speakers and sometimes a bit of welsh, I was educated in Australia and still need to do I need IELTS for the NMC of the UK, (it is not required UK to Australia), but if I had been educated in an EU country and not in english IELTS is not required.

The only thing my heritage brings me (at the moment) in the UK is permission to stay and work even without nursing registration.

I know, off topic.....but has to do with Australia and not sure if poster was referring to the EU or Australia for IELTS.