British RGN wantint to move...

gwenith, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2006

There is a "sticky" thread at the top of this forum with useful links. But one of the easiest ways is simply to apply to a hospital in a town where you think you might like to work. Most hospitals will assist you in coming over on a working visa.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Dec 17, 2006

hi

Not sure on the process from UK to Australia but I know a lot on this site are going to Australia and lots of questions already been asnwered which should give you plenty of info Nursing : British Expats

Tanvi Tusti · Dec 18, 2006

To Australia, Where do i start and what should i be looking out for ??Agencies or go it alone??.
Thanks
Cheryl

There really is no need to go via an agency, most hospitals will offer sponsorship. First you need to register with the NMB, heres a link to their site which outlines what you need to do:

Nurses and Midwives Board - Home

That took the longest for me, around 8 weeks. After that call up hospitals and see if they would be willing to sponsor you. Then apply to DIMA:

Visas & Immigration

Under 457 employeee sponsered visa (which can be complted online). That took 4 weeks for approval. It allows you to work in Oz for up to 4 years, but if you want to saty longer, its just a formality once you are there to apply for permanent residency. Nurses are on the priority workers list so it really is that easy and not particularly costly either. My main expense was getting all my certificates notorised. The actual fees are negligible. One tip, as soon as you get there, open a bank account, all you need is your passport, but after 6 weeks it gets way more complicated.

Good luck.

cheryl nairn · Dec 18, 2006

Thanks for your info and help, How do house prices compare??

gwenith, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2006

There are thousands of sites on house prices in Australia - mostly real estate agenst though:p

This site however has a clickable map and that makes it better for overseas people.

Real Estate, Property, Land and Homes for Sale, lease and rent - realestate.com.au

This one though has the saturday auction prices and might be easier to get an overall idea of comparitive prices

Home Price Guide® - The Latest House Prices and Auction Results

If you are looking at Queensland the main hospitals for Brisbane are Princess Alexandra, Royal Brisbane, Mater Misericordae (there are four hospitals in one Mater Adults, Childrens, Private and Mothers) Prince Charles, Holy Spirit Northside (AKA the Camilla Wing because it is next to Prince Charles:p) St Andrews and the Wesley. Most of these are inner city but easily accessable with the freeway.

Although I warn overseas RNs against taking up posts in rural or remote hospitals there is NOTHING wrong with working at a regional hospital and many advantages.

Places like Mackay or Rockhampton in Qld have the advantage of lower house prices less traffic (if you can stand country dirvers) and often a fantastic lifestyle as they are so close to the Great barrier Reef.

Grace Oz · Dec 19, 2006

places like mackay or rockhampton in qld have the advantage of lower house prices less traffic (if you can stand country dirvers) and often a fantastic lifestyle as they are so close to the great barrier reef.

spoke on the weekend with a friend who lives in mackay, and she was telling me the house prices have soared through the roof. said you can't get much for under $400,000. and even then what you get is a bit shabby just under that price range. rentals are exorbitant apparently. all due to the mining taking place up there. she owns a business and gets around to many places both in mackay and as far up the coast as airlie beach and all stops in between, north and south. she was telling me even the caravan parks are full and no permanant sites available at present. there's a waiting list for people wanting to live as permanent residents in caravan villages.

don't mean to be the bearer of bad news, but thought i'd share what i was told.

gwenith, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2006

spoke on the weekend with a friend who lives in mackay, and she was telling me the house prices have soared through the roof. said you can't get much for under $400,000. and even then what you get is a bit shabby just under that price range. rentals are exorbitant apparently. all due to the mining taking place up there. she owns a business and gets around to many places both in mackay and as far up the coast as airlie beach and all stops in between, north and south. she was telling me even the caravan parks are full and no permanant sites available at present. there's a waiting list for people wanting to live as permanent residents in caravan villages.
don't mean to be the bearer of bad news, but thought i'd share what i was told.

now you mention it i did hear something about that - must be the magnasite mining which is around there. there are times i really really wish i had bought a house at airlie beach years ago - it is so beautiful there.