I noticed Lindsay I think it was posted a question about being a new grad in July 2010 and wanting to move to Oz to do a grad year. For some reason I was unable to post a reply to the question so I thought I'd start a new post and hopefully it will help someone. :)
Firstly, I'm a final year BN student myself, I will graduate in July 2010 in QLD, Australia.
Lots of information:
Australia's school year is backwards to the US. We start in March and finish in November. So the vast majority of grad positions commence in January or February each year. A smaller number commence in July.
The GFC didn't really hit us too hard in Oz, however, what it did do is reduce the amount of movement in Nursing. Less people going overseas, taking time off to have kids, long holidays, study etc. Which means, less positions last year and this year than three or four years ago. As a result, Aust government is saying to internationals and even interstate (yes, I can only get a grad position in QLD, not interstate like in VIC or NSW), that they will place their own students first, then if there is left over places they will place international new grad RNs.
So it is certainly true that there are lots of nursing jobs in Australia, just not new grad positions. In saying that, you don't have to do a new grad program, you can just apply directly to the hospital and ward you want to work in and if they have the place and the ability to take you on, they might. The new grad program is just so good because of all the support and study days you get. You aren't just "thrown in the deep end".
In Australia, we have public and private hospitals. It might be different to the US, bus our major hospital system is the public system. Our biggest hospitals, tertiary facilities, all of that is public and is paid for by the government. So everyone who is an Australian citizen, holder of permenant visa - is eligable for Medicare - and this pays for the hospital. The best wages, the best working conditions, are generally accepted to be found in the public health system, not the private. But there are many private hospitals in Australia - Ramsey Health is the biggest provider with many hospitals spread around Australia, and it can sometimes be easier to get a grad position in a private hospital than in the public hospital system. When applying for grad positions, each state in Australia is like its own country. If you want to work in QLD you apply to QLD health (public system). If you want to work in NSW you apply to NSW health (public system).
Australia is a huge country, with the vast majority of the population living on the east coast, in Perth and surrounding areas, and in Adelaide and surrounding areas. Not many people live in Northern Territory. So, when thinking about where to apply for a job, remember that the majority of Australia is Rural. Rural nursing, if you have only worked in cities, can be a completely different experience. Not to mention living in a small town of 5,000 people and the only entertainment is a couple of pubs, limited access to nice shops, maybe being situated 200-500km from a major city. Rural lifestyle is not for everyone. Alot of rural practice includes Indigenous health which is another huge learning package before you start. Rural QLD, rural, WA and rural NT all focus on Indigenous health. It is also cheap to live in Rural Australia and you do get extra money from the government (a bit like a "hardship posting"), if you choose to live and practice there. Plus, you will learn alot, and, not many new grads go bush in their first year (unless they are from the country) so it can be easier to get a grad position in rural.
If you choose a major town centre or a city, expect ALOT of competition because these are the hospitals everybody applies for. More expensive cost of living, but then more of the luxuries of a city.
Now, the August grad position catch.
I've done a bit of research and the only state with a August grad year still available in 2010 in the public health system is QLD. All the others - WA, NSW - they allocated their August intake places well over a year ago.
There are not alot of places available for Augustt - and approximately 300-500 QLD students graduating. We're not sure that there is going to be enough places to cover all the QLD new grads in QLD.
http://www.health.qld.gov.au/nursing/gnor/default.asp is the QLD health recruitment website. Applications open 29 March 2010 for August 2010.
http://www.gradplus.com.au/ is the Ramsey Health (private hospitals around Australia) recruitment website for four states. Many hospitals - good if you're interested in Surgical or peri-operative - they do ALOT of surgery in these hospitals. Applications close very soon so get moving if you're interested for August intake.
http://www.healthscope.com.au/info/general/Content/get/497/itemId/ is another private hospital provider with hospitals all around Australia - Healthscope. Their grad year starts in September 2010. Applications open in March 2010.
Mater hospitals - are a system of public and private hospitals (public and private combined but not part of the government public health system). There is usually a Mater hospitals in every major city - Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, just google "mater hospital + city, Australia" and these run their own grad programs every year. You'll have to search around the site to find out what they offer. The Mater usual has good working conditions and good rates of pay - pretty much the same as the government hospitals. I think Brisbane Mater grad position applications closes on like the 5th of March for August 2010. 
You'll need to apply for registration. I don't know exactly how you will go about this because our usual state registration is becoming a national registration on 1st July 2010. (This is the date everyone renews their nursing licence).
You'll also need a criminal history check in your home country - name only I think. Or maybe this is done for you for a fee when you apply for registration. You'll have to find someone who knows more than me. It basically gets done for us through university so we don't need to worry about applying for registration and the like.
You'll need to arrange a visa for yourself because I understand that no hospitals are offering sponsorship anymore? (I'm not positive this is correct, just what I've heard people saying). 
I understand you have to be in Australia in March/April to attend an interview. From what I understand, they must be face-to-face interviews - not over the phone. You'll have to check with the hospital if this is true for all but that is what I've heard.
If English is not your first language you have to sit a test - IELTs? You have to score 7 on all sections I think.
I haven't actually met anyone from O/S who has managed to secure a grad position in Australia. I'm sure there are, I just haven't met any. Most people do a year in their own country first and then apply for a job. You can always work for an agency - but as a new grad I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable doing this. It is hard enough being on your own let alone going to a new hospital, new ward every day and being expected to do everything without assistance. Plus, many of the bigger nursing agencies will not hire until you have one year of experience.
I don't know how the situation is in NZ. It might be easier to do a year there and then come over to Oz after that.
Good luck to all who are interested in working in Oz.
ceridwyn
1,787 Posts
Ok if you want to go to Victoria...I have seen on some websites for overseas new grads, try googling, southern health, eastern health, melbourne health, and st vincents and mercy private and mercy womens health ....I have not time to check out the websites or google melbourne hospitals, I noticed last checking out post grad stuff them giving instructions for overseas nurses.....as a kiwi of course though it will be a bit easier with the nursing registration, just straight id checking and your in.