Bridging Program in Australia

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Hi. I am new here. I don't know exactly where to go. I am a registered nurse here in the Philippines and I am interested in studying in Australia for a bridging course that will help me become a registered nurse there. I need some help on looking for a good school that offers a bridging course.

My aunt told me that a friend of her friend just went to AU to take up a test and in 6 months she's there for a bridging program. and I have this friend who has a friend who became a registered nurse in AU in 6 months time too. This agency is offering me to study for a certificate III aged care with occupational English test for 46 weeks in Einstein College but it costs too much. So now, I am trying to look for a school wherein I can apply by myself and hopefully get in. I am hoping I could leave for AU this June 2011. I am a bit lost on what to do. Can you help me, please? Any suggestions? ? Please help me. Thank you very much. :clown:

(Sydney area would be better since my parents are more familiar and in favor of that place... though other cities/areas will be great too)

Specializes in Telemetry, Emergency, Cardiology, Respiratory.
How is it possible to apply for work during the bridging program considering that the visa used is business visa? I thought that once you have business visa, you are not allowed to work. Given the case, after the bridging program, i will

go back in PH while processing the permanent visa. Once PR is approved, only by that time i can apply for RN position.

Im confused. ������

Many thanks for the response. ������

You can't work on a business or visitor visa.

Processing of PR applications takes about 12 months minumum. During that time you will not be able to work. I suggest getting a 457 visa. It is quicker and it allows you to work while waiting for PR.

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So after the bridging program, i can look for hospitals to sponsor me for 457 visa? because i thought, we are not allowed to look for job while holding business visa. í ½í¸…

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Specializes in Cardiac ICU.
You can't work on a business or visitor visa.

Processing of PR applications takes about 12 months minumum. During that time you will not be able to work. I suggest getting a 457 visa. It is quicker and it allows you to work while waiting for PR.

I have to disagree on this. PR applications (189 or 190) certainly does not take 12 months for it to be fully processed. After getting registered with AHPRA, apply for a modified skills assessment thru ANMAC. This process takes about 2-3 months until your letter of determination (LOD) is released stating the outcome of your assessment. You then submit an expression of interest through department of immigration and border protection. Currently, processing time is 3 months since our skill falls on the SOL list. Please see link for standard processing time. So yeah, you're looking at about 6-8 months.

After you're BP, I would assume that your 3 month stay in Australia is almost up. You then go back to PH and have all these things done. You can either apply for a PR or a 457 if you find a sponsor. It is indeed faster but has its drawbacks. But if you are already residing in Australia as a student or what not, then you can start processing onshore.

Source: Own experience

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Specializes in Cardiac ICU.
So after the bridging program, i can look for hospitals to sponsor me for 457 visa? because i thought, we are not allowed to look for job while holding business visa. ������

Looking for a job and starting one are two different stories. Of course, you can look for one. You can even apply and attend an interview if you had too. But you can't start as you are not registered with AHPRA yet. And your visa does not permit you to. What i did was (and this was instructed by the school), start looking for potential employers. Update your CV that you are currently doing the BP. When they call, just tell them your status. I've had several interviews while doing the BP. I didn't work in any of them. It's up to you to decide which hospital you go to after being registered. Feel free to look for jobs. There is nothing wrong with it.

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Thanks! This was helpful! If I am also a USRN, do I need to get COGS for that as well even though I have not worked in the US?

I would say 3-4 months based on my experience, and this was from Nov. 2015. I started gathering my docs from Nov 23, submitted them on Dec 17, 2015. Got the refusal letter/LOE on the 9th of January. Arrange yourself the necessary health examination prior to lodging a visa application. It took 5 days for me to get the visa grant notice.

Do consider the time that your willing to spend on these things as it is brutal but not impossible. I am working in the UAE and had to go back to PH just to go to PRC and request for COGS. COGS from UAE is another thing. Immunizations if you don't have them is quite lengthy as you cannot take them all at one time.

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Looking for a job and starting one are two different stories. Of course, you can look for one. You can even apply and attend an interview if you had too. But you can't start as you are not registered with AHPRA yet. And your visa does not permit you to. What i did was (and this was instructed by the school), start looking for potential employers. Update your CV that you are currently doing the BP. When they call, just tell them your status. I've had several interviews while doing the BP. I didn't work in any of them. It's up to you to decide which hospital you go to after being registered. Feel free to look for jobs. There is nothing wrong with it.

so, once I finished the bridging program and became registered nurse, I can be hired and sponsored by hospital while I am in Australia? My business visa can be changed to 457? or i should go back to PH then look for job online who can sponsor me for 457?

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Specializes in Cardiac ICU.
so, once I finished the bridging program and became registered nurse, I can be hired and sponsored by hospital while I am in Australia? My business visa can be changed to 457? or i should go back to PH then look for job online who can sponsor me for 457?

You can be sponsored while in Australia, but that takes time, and it might not be enough if you do that together with your bp. Should you wish to stay in Australia while this is being processed. I think it would be best to exit and re enter as tourist visas are only valid for 3 months upon date of entry. You should though have at least a 1 yr multiple entry visa to do this.

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Specializes in Cardiac ICU.
Thanks! This was helpful! If I am also a USRN, do I need to get COGS for that as well even though I have not worked in the US?

It will be best to ask your RO regarding this. I have read in previous post before that they just explained the situation with their Ro's.

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Hi guys, im just new here, i would like to ask a question from you guys regarding the bridging program, what are the requirements needed to apply? I have 3 year experience, 1 year from the philippines and 2 years from saudi arabia but only a polyclinic... Do you think am i qualified for BP? Im a bit worried and i really need some enlightenment... Your reply is very much appreciated... Thank you... 😊

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Given that i applied for student visa instead of business visa, no need for me to go back to PH if im able to get a job right? ETEA offered student visa for IRON.

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Specializes in Cardiac ICU.
Given that i applied for student visa instead of business visa, no need for me to go back to PH if im able to get a job right? ETEA offered student visa for IRON.

This I'm not sure. All I know is if you are applying for a student visa, there are tons of requirements and a lot of show money apart from the school tuition fee that should be declared during visa application. Not to mention travel insurance for the duration of stay. Have this clarified with ETEA as BP only takes 3 months. I know couple of people who did the BP while on student visa, however, they were already on student visa even before. Meaning, they were enrolled in another course apart from the Bridging program. What happens is once their course finishes, then they need to submit another confirmation of enrollment from another course to bridge the visa to a new student visa.

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Specializes in Telemetry, Emergency, Cardiology, Respiratory.
I have to disagree on this. PR applications (189 or 190) certainly does not take 12 months for it to be fully processed. After getting registered with AHPRA, apply for a modified skills assessment thru ANMAC. This process takes about 2-3 months until your letter of determination (LOD) is released stating the outcome of your assessment. You then submit an expression of interest through department of immigration and border protection. Currently, processing time is 3 months since our skill falls on the SOL list. Please see link for standard processing time. So yeah, you're looking at about 6-8 months.

After you're BP, I would assume that your 3 month stay in Australia is almost up. You then go back to PH and have all these things done. You can either apply for a PR or a 457 if you find a sponsor. It is indeed faster but has its drawbacks. But if you are already residing in Australia as a student or what not, then you can start processing onshore.

Source: Own experience

With respect, processing time frames always vary. DIBP lists a current time frame of 3 months for subclass 189 and 190 but I don't think a lot of people got their PR in 3 months. Even yours took 8 months. Mine took about 6 months. Other people that I know took 2 years. And one guy took 2 months. To be on the safe, I reckon 12 months is a safe bet. You have to factor in circumstances that may delay your application such as SkillSelect, medicals, and documentation.

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