Meeting AHPRA requirements as a International Trained Nurse from the Philippines

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Specializes in Critical Care / Emergency.
I do realise that a lot of Filipino RNs are stressed and anxious about the registration process. Most of you are frustrated because of the changes in the rules and the amount of time you have to wait for a decision. But I would like to give my opinion regarding some of the issues that penetrated this thread. And I hope my fellow Filipinos take this constructively.

1. Finding an employer to sponsor is quite difficult these days. I know someone who had to go home because he didn't find a job to transfer his 457 visa to. The process is much simpler than filing a new 457 visa as technically he still has a 457 visa. And yet, he couldn't find one sponsor. But I'm not saying that since he didn't find one you all would not find one either. It all depends on where you want to work, your qualifications, and a lot of determination. But again, it's not very easy.

2. It is not a right of anyone to petition any foreign government to change its rule just so to accommodate citizens of other countries. So asking the Australian government to relax its 457 visa regulations is a waste of time and energy. It's not up to the foreign nationals to do that. If there's really a need for 457 visa changes, it will be lobbied by the Australian people as they see fit.

3. Asking AHPRA to change its rules, expedite the registration process, and demand certain things is also a bit off to me. I waited 7-8 months before they approved my registration and I didn't resort to any bad mouthing of some sort. I always tell other overseas RNs that registration, whether in Australia or the US, is not a right but only a privilege. A right won't be taken away from you, but a privilege can be taken away. I was once refused registration in Australia when the registration was still under each States. I did not complain. I focused my attention to where I can work and moved on. I'm not saying that you all give up and look somewhere else for a job or where your registration will be recognised without any problems. But if you are really determined to uplift your lives, then you can do all things to realise it, regardless of where you are.

4. UK nurses have the legalities to challenge AHPRA when they were refused registration. They migrated to Australia because they had a positive skills assessment from ANMAC. ANMAC is the body responsible for screening nurses for migration purposes. It's framework for assessment is identical to AHPRA until AHPRA changed its rule. So in order to rectify the differences, AHPRA had to compromise since they can't just tell them that they have to go back to the UK where in fact they have a legal basis for migrating. The same reasoning can't be applied to Filipino nurses.

5. There's a lot of discrepancies when it comes to whether a Philippine Bachelor's is equivalent to an Australian Bachelor's or not. I was even caught in this dilemma when I applied for a postgraduate degree. I was thinking that since ANMAC and AHPRA recognised my degree as equivalent to a Bachelor's degree, then the universities will recognise my degree as well. Well, no. The AEI-NOOSR has various interpretations. So I have to do a bachelor's degree here in Australia just so I can do that postgraduate degree. Postgraduate degrees in nursing is different. They rely mostly on the fact that you have AHPRA registration. But the other postgrad degrees, you really have to have a bachelor's. What I'm trying to say is that because we are the ones asking the Australian institutions to do us a favour, we have to make sure that we are worthy of that favour. It is not up to the Australian institutions to give in just so we get what we want.

Anyways, I'm not totally familiar with all what's happening now so some of my arguments may be a little too off to some of you. But I wish you all the best and I hope you all get your registrations. It would be very nice to see more competent, talented, Filipino RNs here in Australia.

Very clear and upfront communication. Not unless one is already living in Australia then they would realize all the complaints, whinges are unnecessary. This is the case where for certain the squeaky wheel will not get the oil!

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Specializes in Critical Care / Emergency.
The petition isn't going far written in all capitals and with poor syntax and illogical references and statements. The choice to use all capitals makes it difficult to read and lacks professionalism. From what I can gather, you feel that because you paid for a bridging program and costs of living you are entitled to work rights. The government does not owe you a visa simply because you completed a bridging program to bring your educational credentials up to the country standards. The Australian government and citizens owe nothing to overseas nurses trying to immigrate. You say 10% of potential employers offer sponsorship which is definitely a greater percentage than US employers. Applications should not be easy as they are a screening tool for human resources to quickly eliminate those unqualified.

Just because you find job postings that does not mean you are equally or more qualified than a citizen or resident. Much of the world is suffering from cuts in healthcare finding...USA, Canada, UK, AUS, and much of the EU.

I can see the frustration of those who are stuck in limbo with the change in requirements for APHRA assessment. I don't think APHRA realized adding & changing requirements would be so complicated. Your petition does not address this situation

Well said, you hit the nail on the head. The Regulation Authority does not prejudice against race or region. If you meet all the registration process and requirements, you will be accorded the right registration.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical/Orthopaedic-Neuro.

The first group of applications from India and the Philippines will be considered in early October as posted here, see q7 on http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/FAQ/FAQ-IQNM-accreditation.aspx. Goodluck to all and Godbless! ?

Sent from my iPad using allnurses

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Here's an e-mail from my Registration Officer. Hope this helps.. :)

Dear Ms ------

Thank you for your email regarding your application with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

On 10 February 2014 the NMBA implemented a new model for the assessment of qualifications of internationally qualified nurses and midwives (IQNMs).

Your application was considered complete on 8 April 2014 as we received information relating to all eight criteria for internationally qualified nurses and midwives.

The National Board is aware that Philippines’s accreditation processes differ from those described in criteria 2 and 3 and has conducted research to establish whether the Philippines still meets the requirements. The most likely solution is that an applicant education in the Philippines will be referred to a Board approved bridging program; providing all other registration requirements and standards have been met.

The NMBA and AHPRA are aware that you and other applicants from the Philippines have been waiting a significant period of time for a decision and are doing everything to progress these applications in line with our policies and legislation.

It is likely that your application will be taken for considered by the NSW Board of the NMBA in November. All decisions are communicated by email and post within three weeks of the meeting date.

I hope this update has been helpful and please let me know if you have any further questions.

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hi twinkl3 i just want to know if you submitted your application sometime around december? thanks

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Hi elcee, submitted my application last March 2014. :)

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical/Orthopaedic-Neuro.

@Twinkle, i just received the same email today from a different registration officer...

Deat Ms...

Thank you for your email regarding your application with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

On 10 February 2014 the NMBA implemented a new model for the assessment of qualifications of internationally qualified nurses and midwives (IQNMs).

Your application was considered complete on 7 April 2014 as we received information relating to all eight criteria for internationally qualified nurses and midwives.

The National Board is aware that Philippines's accreditation processes differ from those described in criteria 2 and 3 and has conducted research to establish whether the Philippines still meets the requirements. The most likely solution is that an applicant education in the Philippines will be referred to a Board approved bridging program; providing all other registration requirements and standards have been met.

The NMBA and AHPRA are aware that you and other applicants from the Philippines have been waiting a significant period of time for a decision and are doing everything to progress these applications in line with our policies and legislation.

It is likely that your application will be taken for considered by the NSW Board of the NMBA in November. All decisions are communicated by email and post within three weeks of the meeting date.

I hope this update has been helpful and please let me know if you have any further questions.

Kind Regards,

Registration Officer

Goodluck to all! I guess the long wait will soon be over in God's perfect will! ?

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

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Specializes in EENT, MS, Aged Care.

Here's mine:

Dear Mr ××××××××,

Thank you for your enquiry to +++++++ regarding your application with AHPRA.

As advised in my email dated 16 September 2014, it is likely you will be considered by the Board in late October or November.

The meetings where we may be able to schedule Filipino applicants will be held every fortnight from 17 October 2014. We will progress applications in date order.

Unfortunately we are unable to confirm a meeting date for your specific application at this stage.

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Hello guys!

I too am waiting for LOE and I just received an update from the Registration Officer from VIC this reply..

" Your application has now progressed to the national processing team, who will review your international qualifications. A registration officer from the national processing team will contact you shortly."

Has anyone received any similar response like this? What is the National Team?

Praying our much awaited LOE will be released soon. In Jesus' name!

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Hi yuistefy!

I'd like to ask, when did you send your application?

I think your wait is nearly over. God bless!

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Hi purply!

I hope so. Fingers crossed... I pray to God really for our LOEs to arrive soon. I sent my application July 30, 2014 and all documents received at VIC office 8th August. What about you? :)

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I sent mine 13th August and received receipt of application from NSW 21st Aug. I didn't get any e-mail after that though. Can I know how you lodged an inquiry? I am getting worried because until now they didn't charge the registration fee on my card. How about you?

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