Meeting AHPRA requirements as a International Trained Nurse from the Philippines

[Silverdragon102]

New thread discussing meeting APHRA requirements if trained in the Philippines.

Resources

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

International registration / Nurses / Home - Nursing Council of New Zealand

Part 1 thread New grad Filipino nurse wanting to work in Australia/New Zealand

Part 2 thread New grad Filipino nurse wanting to work in Australia/New Zealand

I have started a thread in the Immigration for Immigration requirements for Australia/New Zealand

[official02]

Just sharing my two cents regarding the recent posts:

1. Jodti: In my experience, AHPRA would give you instructions regarding where to send the documents. Be very careful not to be sending documents which are supposed to come directly from Philippine entities as AHPRA must receive these documents directly from the concerned Philippine institutions (ex: Criteria 2 and 8: Directly from your school, Criteria 3: Directly from CHED). I would concur that registered post is enough, the office would usually receive the documents within 2 weeks. All documents received will be scanned and be used for internal collaboration meaning that even if all IQNM applications are assessed in NSW, Melbourne would upload these files. Regarding your IELTS, a certified true copy coming from you along with your application (AGOS-40) would have sufficed I assume?

If you're really into sending the documents via Courier (which I would not advise), I was told (via Phone) to send it to the physical office and mind you, AHPRA's office in Melbourne is sitting on top of a very large Australia Post outlet. Again your documents would be scanned.

I refer to a section of an e-mail I received on April from my case officer when I was asked for a more specific Certificate of Service (to include status and hours tendered as AHPRA cannot interpret Probationary and Regular as against Casual, Permanent Part time, and Permanent Full Time).

"Can I supply the required accreditation information directly with my application?

No. You must arrange for the accreditation information to be sent directly from the education institution or regulatory authority responsible for the accreditation of your program of study overseas. The National Board will not accept information sent directly by you with your application for registration.

How will I know if my accreditation information has been received?

AHPRA will inform you if we do not receive the information sent directly from the education institution or regulatory authority responsible for the accreditation of a program of study overseas within 28 days of receiving your application.

What happens if my place of study or my course were not accredited?

Accreditation of the education institution and nursing or midwifery program of study is essential. If your education provider or program of study is not accredited, your qualification will not meet the criteria for assessment of educational equivalence.

In this instance, you may enrol in a Board-approved program of study leading to registration as a nurse or a midwife in Australia and seek advanced standing for previous study (Recognition of Prior Learning, or RPL). The decision about whether to recognise your prior learning is made by the education provider."

2. ordoghaz: One of my friend's husband is a Filipino-trained nurse who underwent UK's BP and worked there for over a year. He was given direct registration but this was roughly two years ago. I hope they will consider your case as well. It would make sense if ANMAC would consider similar circumstances for skills assessment, I do not see why AHPRA should have a problem (here).

3. All decisions come from the board (see here) even if AHPRA assesses your qualification as below AQF 5. Here is another statement reinforcing the idea:

AHPRA assesses overseas applications on behalf of the National Board, which is responsible for the final decision on each application. As part of the assessment process, each overseas qualification is independently assessed to determine its educational level relative to the AQF framework (source here).

So, I concur with ordoghaz, AHPRA's assessment of his education is likely to refer him to a BP however, this will be AHPRA's recommendation (in theory) only, the board's decision regarding his application may be influenced by factors other than education (assumption).

Right!

May I ask when did you lodge your application? Which state? When did you complete your IQNM reqs? Wahat is the current status of your application?

[jmolina1985]

Hmmm.... I'm resigned to the thought that I may have to do the course with CPL/RPL with Deakin because more than the funds, my adversary now is time. I'll find out on October on how things are for those of us waiting, if most are referred to the BP, I'll just wait but if in October we just get more "we cannot give you a time frame due to the complexity etc..." then I'll have to join the March intake. The lady I talked to told me that if at any time, the LoE arrives, they'll shift the funds from that semester into a bridging course anyway.

*sigh* this anxiety is killing me.

[official02]

Hmmm.... I'm resigned to the thought that I may have to do the course with CPL/RPL with Deakin because more than the funds, my adversary now is time. I'll find out on October on how things are for those of us waiting, if most are referred to the BP, I'll just wait but if in October we just get more "we cannot give you a time frame due to the complexity etc..." then I'll have to join the March intake. The lady I talked to told me that if at any time, the LoE arrives, they'll shift the funds from that semester into a bridging course anyway.

*sigh* this anxiety is killing me.

How much is the RPL at Deakin?

Don't worry. Keep our hopes high. I'm giving AHPRA time too, on October my IELTS will be 1 year old. Will try my luck with UK or NZ while still waiting for AHPRA.

[jmolina1985]

@Official02: I lodged my new application for IQNM Nurse on March 2014. This is after being told on February that my appeal for an extension of my existing LoE be extended since my circumstances back then did not permit me to do the BP was denied. I was advised to cancel my current application then so that I can start a new one. All documents were verified to be received on 31 March including those for criteria 2 3 & 8 because a friend of mine who applied from NSW provided me with the template. On August, I received a letter from a different case officer that my application is now with the assessment team and is asking for documentary evidence to meet criteria 2 3 & 8. I e-mailed him the following day to inform him that these documents were reported to be received on the 31st of March, I also gave him the reference number of my call with their representative who verified the receipt of the documents in discussion. That arvo he shot me back an e-mail to inform me that all outstanding documents have been received and then the generic spiel that no time frame can be provided had begun.

The course when I asked was 29320 (2015 fees schedule) AUD which consist of 2 semesters so we have to pay about 14500 per semester. I really do believe that mostly all of us will be granted an LoE the problem is it is just taking too long.

[ordoghaz]

@official02

@jmolina1985

yeah im aware of the changes, and yes im prepared at the idea that i may have to do BP as well, if i really want to move, if that were the case though i may stay in the UK longer and save some money for it first, it will also depend whether i can get PR in the next couple of months.

i have done courses at level 5, and 6 here in the uk and will enrol for another level 6 qualification- which is think level 6 (Uk)= 7 in the Aus.. im not sure, but seems like. but yeah, who knows. im also RN in New york, and nationally certified Renal nurse in the US +UK. but no, i dont have Masters, although i considered it and applied and got accepted last year in London ( my manager didnt suppport me) she probably thought im too ambitious lol..

anyhow, i wouldnt mind doing BP although im broke as hell atm.

i have got +skills assessment form anmac and just finishing a PR application on the basis that im skilled and qualified as a nurse through anmac. what a mess.

although i must say, at this point in time, we are all just waiting. but i know people who have been waiting longer than me, (applied feb ) completed IQNM - april, resubmitted Criterion - 6 July- Aug sent an email theyve recieved it, and said they will let me know once theyve got a decision, although it wasnt the same as the generic email everyone recieved it was esssentially the same IMO.

[official02]

@ordoghaz

I really wish you well on your PR application. When you are on your PR, maybe you can ask for government support for your education. If I have that myself, I'll go for a degree (1 year) rather than doing BP which is a non-award. Anyway, once in PR, scholarship and financial aids are everywhere.

I hope also that your subsequent qualifications will be considered. May I just ask, why did you consider leaving UK? I thought money is there, jobs for nurses are there? But why?

You see, in the past months, I've been seeing newspaper ads and facebook ads about of job openings for UK. It sounds very inviting.

[ordoghaz]

@officiAl02

hmmm..

Its lonely here.

i have friends and all, but I don't know. Probably more to do with I just like moving around, live a different life after a while, even here I've moved around.

But I don't mind staying if I can't go to aus.

[ordoghaz]

@ordoghaz

I really wish you well on your PR application. When you are on your PR, maybe you can ask for government support for your education. If I have that myself, I'll go for a degree (1 year) rather than doing BP which is a non-award. Anyway, once in PR, scholarship and financial aids are everywhere.

I hope also that your subsequent qualifications will be considered. May I just ask, why did you consider leaving UK? I thought money is there, jobs for nurses are there? But why?

You see, in the past months, I've been seeing newspaper ads and facebook ads about of job openings for UK. It sounds very inviting.

Yeah I read about those benefits of being PR. It's one of the reasons why I want to go, and I'm considering leaving nursing all together at some point or do a masters which is a bit difficult to do in the uK. It's not easy to get a job here for non nurses, money is ok especially for agency nurses but still less than aus so I'm lead to believe haha

[official02]

@ordoghaz

Do you think UK has higher cost of living than Australia?

We should find our happiness in Australia. Haha.

-------

I e-mailed my Registration Officer at past 3PM today, I thought she won't reply because its already past 5PM in Sydney. I asked about my timeframe (such a curious cat) having learned from another applicant that she was informed of when will her application be reviewed on a Board Meeting. Guess what?! My Registration Officer IS ON LEAVE!!! She'll be back on September 8.

[jmolina1985]

Official02, tried my hand on your approach there. Got my response 3 hours later.

"Thank-you for your email.

As previously advised, due to the high volume of applications we are unable to provide a timeframe for a decision on applications. However, no further information is required at present toward your application and your application will be presented to the National Board who will contact you once a decision is made.

Regards,"

------

Well, it's something I suppose hahaha.

Well get through this mates. One way or the other, bsn or bridge or direct recognition, this waiting will come to an end. What matters is, we have a strategy in place for whatever outcome there maybe.

[official02]

AHPRA re updated their FAQs for IQNMs. Here are some points to ponder.

5. What is happening to applications for registration from countries that are not able to meet criteria 2 and 3 on accreditation?

"The new model requires that the education institution where you studied be externally accredited during the period your program of study was undertaken (criterion 2) and that your program of study is accredited by the relevant nursing and/or midwifery regulatory authority or agency (criterion 3). The National Board is aware that some countries may not meet certain evidentiary requirements, or may have accreditation processes that differ from those described in criteria 2 and 3. As a matter of priority, the National Board is exploring options that will allow nurses and midwives educated in these countries to meet these requirements through alternative pathways.

It is likely to be weeks rather than days before a decision will be made. We will speed up application processing once the National Board reaches decision."

Looks familiar, right? Haha. As I was made believe they have great concern to Filipino-educated nurses. Here's what they've got. The game is free for all. Good job, AHPRA.

---

7. "Will I have to resubmit all my documentation once I have completed the bridging program?

You will only need to resubmit any documentation that has expired. After you successfully complete a Board-approved bridging program, you are eligible to reapply to AHPRA for registration. This means a new application form with relevant fees and documentation. As we will still have record of your previous documentation, you can refer to it without needing to resubmit it all over again."

Reapply? Come again? New application form? What? Relevant fees? Another one?

So is this another waiting game after BP?

[jmolina1985]

But the PH does have a robust system for meeting criteria 2 & 3 -- providing the school was accredited indeed. We must trust in CHED's system, otherwise we're all screwed. I'm not very sure of this but a colleague of mine mentioned that NZ's system had this in place for quite some time now and could possibly be the reason why CHED is aware of such requirements. A friend of mine managed to have enough influence that an electronic copy was sent to her before the physical copy was sent to AHPRA. The letter was inclusive of the school's status with other private accreditation bodies. In her case, PACUCOA's. So all things considered, candidates from PH accredited schools should have no problem providing documentary evidence that would satisfy criteria 2, 3 & 8 unless AHPRA wants to see something else.

The LoE is good for a year, I believe that gives all your credentials a year's worth of validity. The extra charges if there are any, would be the present registration fee (and possibly application). Other than that the assessment fee wouldn't make any sense since they won't be looking into those documents anymore. On average, a nursing registration is about 2 to 4 weeks after completing the BP.