Competency Assessment Service - Queensland, Australia

joeturtle · Mar 22, 2009

Hi joeturtle! Congrats! Keep us posted ok?
Btw, what medicals did you undergo and where? and how much is your rough estimate for your expenses and pocket money? thanks so much!
wonderful luck to you and to all of us!

Medicals included physical exam, chest x-ray, and lab tests. You can visit the Australian Embassy website for all the information. It contains the list of their accredited panel doctors in the Philippines. I allotted AU$1000 per month for expenses. I got this amount from another forum.

joeturtle · Mar 22, 2009

For those who have already taken the part 1 test, can you give us an example of one question in the test and what/how did you answer it.. tehehehe!
they say there's a short answer type test.. How long should be the answer?
Where can we find a sample questionnaire so that we will be in a way familiar before sitting for it?

I was also looking for sample questions before I took the exam but was unable to find any. I still say the exam is very similar to NCLEX (multiple choice with four options), except that it is in Australian setting. There are many questions that would require one to know specific information for you to answer them (professional issues and legal issues). There are also questions that require clinical judgement and can be answered analytically (transcultural issues and clinical nursing). With regards to short answer type questions, you just have to write your answers on the space allotted for that question. There are some items with a single line and there are some with 5 lines allotted for the answer. What I can remeber are several questions on ethics and it was easy: veracity, confidentiality, etc.

vipamarie · Mar 22, 2009

Medicals included physical exam, chest x-ray, and lab tests. You can visit the Australian Embassy website for all the information. It contains the list of their accredited panel doctors in the Philippines. I allotted AU$1000 per month for expenses. I got this amount from another forum.

Thanks a lot joeturtle! :up: wishing you all the best for your part B!

icanmakeit · Mar 22, 2009

Good Morning OZ bound Filipino nurses.

Firstly, I would like to congratulate you all for the persistence and optimism. Indeed, we proved ourselves as powerhouse of hopes despite the many challenges that are trying to put as astray.

After all the disheartening events about our American Dreams, Australia puts back the glare of new hope.

Hopefully, early today Ill be sending my application/docs to QNC should the same be successfully certified by a Notary Public.

Anyway, I'm done with my NCLEX, IELTS and VISASCREEN and further was about to fly to Louisiana, USA last Dec. 18 via GSA Scholarship Program part time study/work whereby on the 11th hour was given a call about the halted employment offer by East Jefferson General Hospital. Kinda traumatic huh!?...

I just decided a week ago forcibly, being in the state of denial to instead divert my interest to OZ. Hoping this time its gonna happen truly.

I just wanna enjoin myself to all of you folks and wish us well in all of our endeavours towards realizing our AUSTRALIAN DREAMS..

GOD BLESS US ALL!!!!

icanmakeit · Mar 22, 2009

To joeturtle,

thank you for starting this forum...good karma will rain down on your good deeds....

icanmakeit · Mar 22, 2009

Anyway,,, i submitted my ielts registration last march 20, as i will be retaking the said exam to qualify myself to australia as my scores were

r - 7.0

l - 7.5

w - 6.5

s - 7.5

i am preparing to sit ielts this april 30, 2009 here in cebu.

Is my decision right to send my application to qnc tommorow considering the ielts is still yet to be taken (just so scared to get below 7 once more) huhuhu.

branyan · Mar 22, 2009

i just want to ask how did you all make payments in australian dollars for your CAS? What bank issues bank drafts in australian dollars? thanks to anyone who can suggest...

I think it's only ANZ bank that can make a draft in AUD. ANZ is located in GT Tower Makati.

joeturtle · Mar 23, 2009

Anyway,,, i submitted my ielts registration last march 20, as i will be retaking the said exam to qualify myself to australia as my scores were
r - 7.0
l - 7.5
w - 6.5
s - 7.5
i am preparing to sit ielts this april 30, 2009 here in cebu.
Is my decision right to send my application to qnc tommorow considering the ielts is still yet to be taken (just so scared to get below 7 once more) huhuhu.

Hi there,

It's OK to send your application considering that QNC processing time is getting longer and you only lack 0.5 in the writing test. I'm sure you will achieve the required scores this April. Good luck!

Phoenix_Rising · Mar 24, 2009

Mr KOWALSKA: I plan on applying for a 456 visa when it is time for me to do the Part B. How do I apply for it and how much does this interim visa cost? Most of all, where do I apply for it? Can I do it by internet or do I have to pass the papers personally? Please enlighten us.

Also, what type of interim permit can I apply for? You know, the number (like 456, 656, 175 etc)

DOLCEVITARN: Have you received your QNC assessment? When do you plan on taking the Part A?

cvekowalska · Mar 24, 2009

Mr KOWALSKA: I plan on applying for a 456 visa when it is time for me to do the Part B. How do I apply for it and how much does this interim visa cost? Most of all, where do I apply for it? Can I do it by internet or do I have to pass the papers personally? Please enlighten us.
Also, what type of interim permit can I apply for? You know, the number (like 456, 656, 175 etc)
The Sublass 456 Visa is different from an Interim Visa.
You apply the 456 Visa at the Australian Embassy in Manila (www.via.ph) / (www.australia.com.ph)
It will cost you P3,600. You can lodge your papers in person or by telephone system, but your papers should be complete. The validity of medical exam is 6 months to 1 year.
My colleague in Manila just got his Visa - it was a 456 Multiple Entry 1 year valid - without any restriction. Usually the embassy places the restriction code 8503 - which means no further stay can be granted.
But for nurses - they waive this restriction code - I think its a privilege for nurses as the Immigration will already anticipate that once you pass your clinicals, then you are able to lodge an onshore working visa - without the need to return back to the Philippines.
This is where the Interim Visa (permit) will come in the scene.
This was exactly what happened to my status. After passing the clinicals, the employer lodge the application, then the immigration granted an interim visa permit (it is really another Visa label they put on your passport) which states - permitted to stay legally in Australia until a decision is made on the current application.
Once your 457 is approved, you get another Visa label - permitted to remain in Australia for 4 years - multiple travel - the only restriction is - you work for your employer for the Visa to be binding.
Usually after 6 months you will get a letter of invitation from the Immigration to apply for permanent residency.
Hope this information helps.
Carlos K.

Antigone · Mar 24, 2009

Sir Carlos,

When you're a PR, can you transfer to another hospital or you still have to finish the term of the visa? I know you mentioned you have to stay with the hospital for the visa to be binding, but what if your status changes from work visa to PR? What about citizenship, usually how many years will it take for that to be granted?

Another thing - for nurses without experience who passed all exams, is there a chance to be hired?

Thank you :)

cvekowalska · Mar 24, 2009

Sir Carlos,
When you're a PR, can you transfer to another hospital or you still have to finish the term of the visa? I know you mentioned you have to stay with the hospital for the visa to be binding, but what if your status changes from work visa to PR? What about citizenship, usually how many years will it take for that to be granted?
Another thing - for nurses without experience who passed all exams, is there a chance to be hired?
Thank you :)

You have to honor and abide with the number of years stipulated on your contract. If it is for 2 years, you have to work for that facility for 2 years, then you have the option to renew or move to another facility.

Assuming you have just passed your clinicals, you look for your employer, your employer will be your sponsor for the lodgment of 457 Visa. Once it is approved, the Immigration condition will tell you that you have to work only for your employer sponsor. When you receive the Permanent residency sponsorship, you have 2 ways to go about it, either you file it independently or make another contract with your hospital employer sponsor to let go of the 457 contract. This can clearly be negotiated with the facility. As long as you work for them.. you will not incur any problem. Problem will arise if you breach any of your work contract.

As per ruling now of the Commonwealth, citizenship takes 4 years from the time permanent residency is granted.

It was changed Last December 2006 (which was just 2 years waiting period - they added another 2 years)

For nurses without experience - what are your chances of being hired? You stand a big chance. If you do not have experience - build on your credentials (tranings et.al - personality and maturity counts a lot) Always remember first impression lasts.

Once you have your residency - after your contract - it would be very easy for you to move anywhere else.... going to the US does not require any visa on your part already.

C. Kowalska