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

[jmolina1985]

Hello nimsay9x, welcome to allnurses. I'd say that it depends where you fall on the scale so it's mainly a case to case basis. If according to the computation you have enough points with just the BP, then I see no reason to undergo a Bachelor's study. Studying for 2 years grants you additional points for meeting the Australian Study Requirements and also gives you a chance to apply for a subclass 485 Post Study Work Stream visa (temporary resident for 24 mos) this is for studying 2 years. I believe that studying a bachelor's also gives you the chance to apply for state sponsorship as a state graduate thus granting you additional points. Mind you though that the rules change quite often. Under a student visa, I'd say that you get the advantage of testing the market and better positioning yourself to find employment and discover ways to become a permanent resident without relying on an employer. You can put your strategies into practice.

[aui24k]

Rejai, I got the same response as you did. I applied in VIC feb 2014 and it's disappointing they couldn't give a date while others have their assessment dates. Praying it arrives soon as I am targetting the March intake.

[abibabz]

Thank you jmolina1985! So does that mean we don't have to write an appeal and just proceed with finding a school for the bridging program?

Do I still need to get a new set of documents for the criteria 2,3,6&8 when I reapply for registration? (I don't understand why I was asked for the criteria 6&8 when at first, I was only asked for the documents for criteria 2&3.) Or would taking the bridging course cover that area already?

[jmolina1985]

@abibabz that's how I interpret it but it would be best to clarify with your RO. Wouldn't hurt to shoot him/her an e-mail. As far as I know, we only need to resend documents like the IELTS (if ot expires beford completion of the BP), CoGS, and Certificate of Service if employment status have changed. Oh and I think we would need that police check I read a few pages back.

[deerpz]

Hi all,

I just joined the forum so sorry if these questions have been asked (probably have a million times). I'm trying to help out my RN cousins in the Philippines but aren't so sure on some things:

1. What are the requirements for getting a referral letter (aka LOE?) to take a bridging program? Obviously there's the all across score of 7 in the IELTS but is there anything specified for work experience? Years and type of experience? And if possible, where can I find this information?

2. If they're successful in getting into a bridging program, what type of visa should they apply for?

Thanks in advance and hope you all had a lovely Christmas

[nimsay9x]

Thank you for answering my question jmolina1985 i guess the pricey bachelor's degree has its pros and cons same with BP :) If you may, I still have few questions in mind. Do you know or have you heard about the 1 year Bachelor of Nursing Program which is only offered at Deakin University, Burwood Campus. Do you have any idea how does this program works? Thank you again. :)

[Majai]

I emailed my RO on the 26th of this month... and this is the response I got today!!!

Dear =======.

Your application is scheduled for the board meeting on 8 January 2015.

You will be notified of the outcome approximately 3 weeks after the date of this meeting.

If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind Regards,

RO

feeling happy!

[kait_88]

Hello everyone, I posted in this thread back in May in regards to my application with AHPRA as an internationally qualified nurse from the United States. (you guys may think it might be easy because I'm from the US but it certainly was not! I had to go through the same hurdles, even the IELTS!) I am posting now to share with you guys my latest experience with them.

Man, Its been a year and a half ive been dealing with AHPRA and its been hell. I was rejected back in July (1 1/2 months after my board meeting, not their supposed 10 days). I was devastated, but I did go ahead and send them a letter of appeal. I had nothing else to give, just a letter asking them to reconsider.

Well, 5 months later, they did. Just 4 days ago I received my email that they have reassessed and approved my application. I presented myself in person yesterday as well as signed a statuary declaration, and now they say i should be registered by early next week.

:) I'm ecstatic. I know the experience is hard guys, but do not give up!!!! If they reject you the first time do not let it up! Send in that appeal!!!

[jmolina1985]

Hello everyone, I posted in this thread back in May in regards to my application with AHPRA as an internationally qualified nurse from the United States. (you guys may think it might be easy because I'm from the US but it certainly was not! I had to go through the same hurdles, even the IELTS!) I am posting now to share with you guys my latest experience with them.

Man, Its been a year and a half ive been dealing with AHPRA and its been hell. I was rejected back in July (1 1/2 months after my board meeting, not their supposed 10 days). I was devastated, but I did go ahead and send them a letter of appeal. I had nothing else to give, just a letter asking them to reconsider.

Well, 5 months later, they did. Just 4 days ago I received my email that they have reassessed and approved my application. I presented myself in person yesterday as well as signed a statuary declaration, and now they say i should be registered by early next week.

:) I'm ecstatic. I know the experience is hard guys, but do not give up!!!! If they reject you the first time do not let it up! Send in that appeal!!!

I share in your happiness kate. I would like to point out though that the USA trained nurses maybe directly assessed by ANMAC in terms of skills assessment which I think had an influence in terms of their final decision leading to you being granted a registration. Just the same, thank you for sharing! It was indeed a Christmas present for you.

I received an e-mail today stating that mine was confirmed to have been considered on the 19th of December and that a decision letter can be expected within 15 working days. It is quite a relief knowing that things are moving.

@Nimsay: The Bachelor's of nursing is offered in all three campuses of Deakin University Australia namely: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds and Waterfront (Nursing is mainly in Waterfront but you also have access to Waurn Pond's resources these campuses are in Regional Geelong), and Warnambool (Approx 5 hours away from Melbourne). Students from all three campuses are sent to Deakin's affiliated hospitals for clinical placement regardless of which campus you have applied into.

Politically speaking, there is no such thing as a 1 year nursing course. It is a full Bachelor's degree with credits (like transferring from one university to another in the Philippines, some subjects are credited and you won't have to do them again). Majority (if not all) nursing coming from the Philippines are eligible for this program. I believe RMIT offers a similar course structure for foreign-trained nurses though I have not really asked.

Depending on which units you may have to take and on how fast you can process your enrollment, you maybe able to reduce the "trips" you make to the university by signing up for units early on and be able to arrange them for your convenience. Similar to the PH, some units have limited seats and that has a potential to wreck your time table. In both semesters, students are required to do 5-6 weeks of clinical placement.

When I spoke to Deakin regarding my intention to study, I was advised that for them to consider me into the program, I would need to present evidence that I have practiced at least 3 months full time within the last 5 years. They would accept volunteer experience.

One critical criteria of the programme is the English language requirement. To be accepted, you must present a valid evidence of English language proficiency (either IELTS Academic of 7.0 in all bands or OET B in all bands). Otherwise, Deakin will advice you that for you to progress, you will have to undergo DUELI (English course), this costs about 2K AUD I think and will run for 5 weeks. Be aware though that even f you complete the BSN with DUELI, AHPRA would still require you to pass an English Proficiency Exam prior to granting registration.

[deerpz]

Hello,

So I read through the AGOS-40 form and please correct me if I'm wrong, you only need to have practised for 3 months full time in the last 5 years to be considered for a LOE? (Along with the IELTS score of 7 of course).

[jmolina1985]

Hello,

So I read through the AGOS-40 form and please correct me if I'm wrong, you only need to have practised for 3 months full time in the last 5 years to be considered for a LOE? (Along with the IELTS score of 7 of course).

In a sense... The decision to refer a candidate to the BP rests solely on the board. The recency of practice requirements however one of those requirements but was not really put into the criteria.

"The National Law requires consideration of the qualification(s) only. This means we do not consider nursing or midwifery work experience when assessing your qualifications. However, we consider work experience when assessing whether you meet the requirements of the National Board's Recency of practice registration standard.

You must show that your qualification(s) meet all eight qualification assessment criteria to achieve eligibility for registration under the National Law. This means you must provide all documentation as detailed on the National Board website for your qualification(s) that are relevant to your nursing or midwifery registration."

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia - IQNM: Assessing your application under the new model

Again, the final decision is with the board. Most of the people I have conversed with in the forum has about 2. I would give it a shot anyway.

[nimsay9x]

@Nimsay: The Bachelor's of nursing is offered in all three campuses of Deakin University Australia namely: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds and Waterfront (Nursing is mainly in Waterfront but you also have access to Waurn Pond's resources these campuses are in Regional Geelong), and Warnambool (Approx 5 hours away from Melbourne). Students from all three campuses are sent to Deakin's affiliated hospitals for clinical placement regardless of which campus you have applied into.

Politically speaking, there is no such thing as a 1 year nursing course. It is a full Bachelor's degree with credits (like transferring from one university to another in the Philippines, some subjects are credited and you won't have to do them again). Majority (if not all) nursing coming from the Philippines are eligible for this program. I believe RMIT offers a similar course structure for foreign-trained nurses though I have not really asked.

Depending on which units you may have to take and on how fast you can process your enrollment, you maybe able to reduce the "trips" you make to the university by signing up for units early on and be able to arrange them for your convenience. Similar to the PH, some units have limited seats and that has a potential to wreck your time table. In both semesters, students are required to do 5-6 weeks of clinical placement.

When I spoke to Deakin regarding my intention to study, I was advised that for them to consider me into the program, I would need to present evidence that I have practiced at least 3 months full time within the last 5 years. They would accept volunteer experience.

One critical criteria of the programme is the English language requirement. To be accepted, you must present a valid evidence of English language proficiency (either IELTS Academic of 7.0 in all bands or OET B in all bands). Otherwise, Deakin will advice you that for you to progress, you will have to undergo DUELI (English course), this costs about 2K AUD I think and will run for 5 weeks. Be aware though that even f you complete the BSN with DUELI, AHPRA would still require you to pass an English Proficiency Exam prior to granting registration.

Congratulations to you @jmolina1985!

and again thank for the response, all the things that I was confused of were all covered in your response. Now, I do know now that the 1 year BSN is the CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING and is not hoax. I am stoked upon learning and confirming the CPL at Deakin's website, that you can actually have a BN Oz degree in just 1 year.

Now, FEU which is where I finished my AHSE program is on the list of Deakin's CPL agreement, the problem is, I transferred after finishing the AHSE program to another school where I finished my BSN, but is not listed there. It is stated that I can still apply but I have to apply for CPL and are required to submit documents for their reference. Which I am willing to comply... Do you have any thoughts or have you encountered someone same as my case? were their CPL application approved?

And, granting that it will approved do I still have to apply to AHPRA for eligibility like the bridging course? and do I have to apply for eligibility at VTAC?

Thank you very much! I ask for your understanding, because I ask too many questions...

Happy New Year!