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

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Due to recent changes regarding applications for International nurses to Australia and the combining of the nursing boards to one central nursing board in Australia AHPRA I have started a new thread for people to discuss the new process on working in Australia.

Currently New Zealand is not accepting new applicants from International trained nurses except those that meet the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement {TTMR} this will be updated once the New Zealand nursing board reopen their books to International nurses.

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency AHPRA

Part 1 thread New grad Filipino nurse wanting to work in Australia/New Zealand - Nursing for Nurses

Just for clarification - original reply quoted by rajtolentino was for jedcarl. I don't know if he/she is a boy or a girl or single or married either.

The norm here in Adelaide is that students bring their family unless they have a lot of money to burn. Do check with immigration your options.

Thanks bob! i already have the eligibility from AHPRA, the RN conversion is my plan b, fallback in case i dont get an offer from HPH, because IHNA is sooo expensive at 13k aud,my options are so limited coz i'm only considering WA since i have a relative there and that saves me on accomodation expenses.A friend says that in Rn Conversion, the tuition fee is in installment, im not sure how true it is,but in granting its true, then my part time work in nsg homes can suffice for the remaining tuition.

anyways, do you have an idea if agencies there in oz sponsors for a work visa also?

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I would caution you on the advise of the immigration consultant or agency regarding this pathway. I would like to ask you this question :

Granted that you can finish this 1 year conversion program, what did this agency tell you what will happen? Did they tell you you will be given an RN license? Or you have to apply with AHPRA for registration. If so, you still have to submit the same requirements as what the forumers here are doing. This includes IELTS with 7 minimum score in all bands, work experience of at least 3 months (paid or volunteer).

Preparing all these documents while in Australia will be more difficult for you considering the documents you will be procuring will be from the Philippines. Preparing for the IELTS in Australia will also be more expensive for you.

Anyway, there are many ways to "kill a cat" as one might say. But I think the more straightforward and cheaper is going through AHPRA first before applying for a bridging program or conversion program or whatever you might call it.

And after you check the AHPRA requirements in their website, you can start preparing the documents. If you lack the work experience, start now by volunteering. If you haven't taken the IELTS test, then start reviewing. If you fail the first time, try and try until you achieve the minimum required score.

I don't see how the 1 year conversion program will be cheaper and easier at all. Imagine the tuition fee. The Aus $1,000 monthly living allowance for one person alone for one year will amount to Aus$12,000.00.

And after the conversion program, you still could not find any employer to sponsor you for a working visa because you still don't have a RN (div 1) license issued by AHPRA. And your student visa is issued to you because you are considered a student. But once the student visa lapses, what's next?

You are even thinking of bringing your family with you. Yes, your spouse can work full time while you are a student. But your spouse's visa is tied to your student visa. Once your student visa lapses, your spouse's visa will, obviously, also lapse.

I don't want to be a wet blanket to your plans. But I hope you be very careful about deciding on this matter. If you have paid your agent an initial assessment or processing fee, I would rather forgo of the amount than lose a lot more if your pathway won't pan out. :confused:

actually, i am doing everything on my own and not asking the help of any agency. i already received the letter from AHPRA and currently, im looking for a BP school which has an intake early next year. La trobe and College of Nursing are my two main choices as of the moment.

the conversion program crossed my mind because im thinking of other options aside from taking the BP. personally, the program is beneficial to me. dont get me wrong, i still think that the BP is the cheapest, fastest, and least risky route for any intl nurse to track to pursue a nursing career and residency in Australia.

in regard to hospital experience, i think i already have enough for employers to notice me. i just hope though that there will still 457 sponsorship after my BP :D

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I would caution you on the advise of the immigration consultant or agency regarding this pathway. I would like to ask you this question :

Granted that you can finish this 1 year conversion program, what did this agency tell you what will happen? Did they tell you you will be given an RN license? Or you have to apply with AHPRA for registration. If so, you still have to submit the same requirements as what the forumers here are doing. This includes IELTS with 7 minimum score in all bands, work experience of at least 3 months (paid or volunteer).

Preparing all these documents while in Australia will be more difficult for you considering the documents you will be procuring will be from the Philippines. Preparing for the IELTS in Australia will also be more expensive for you.

Anyway, there are many ways to "kill a cat" as one might say. But I think the more straightforward and cheaper is going through AHPRA first before applying for a bridging program or conversion program or whatever you might call it.

And after you check the AHPRA requirements in their website, you can start preparing the documents. If you lack the work experience, start now by volunteering. If you haven't taken the IELTS test, then start reviewing. If you fail the first time, try and try until you achieve the minimum required score.

I agree with the

I don't see how the 1 year conversion program will be cheaper and easier at all. Imagine the tuition fee. The Aus $1,000 monthly living allowance for one person alone for one year will amount to Aus$12,000.00.

And after the conversion program, you still could not find any employer to sponsor you for a working visa because you still don't have a RN (div 1) license issued by AHPRA. And your student visa is issued to you because you are considered a student. But once the student visa lapses, what's next?

You are even thinking of bringing your family with you. Yes, your spouse can work full time while you are a student. But your spouse's visa is tied to your student visa. Once your student visa lapses, your spouse's visa will, obviously, also lapse.

I don't want to be a wet blanket to your plans. But I hope you be very careful about deciding on this matter. If you have paid your agent an initial assessment or processing fee, I would rather forgo of the amount than lose a lot more if your pathway won't pan out. :confused:

Hi there the conversion program entitles you to a division1 right after graduation (no need to take exams). :D So that means right after graduation, you became an AU RN right away if you study in a university because if you opt for TAFE you are only entitled as an EN after graduation. And i don't think they needed the IELTS. And what's more good with this is that the graduates are given slots in the hospitals. I know this because i have a friend who went through this way. She did not take the IELTS and studied for a year then became registered right after her graduation. And luckily now she got a job immediately. :yeah:

BUT :jester: taking this course will take you such a long time hehe.. So going for the bridging course is always a good option since your sufferings will only last up to 12weeks lol! :twocents: so basically that's the two side of the coin, its up to you which course will you take ;)

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Hi there the conversion program entitles you to a division1 right after graduation (no need to take exams). :D So that means right after graduation, you became an AU RN right away if you study in a university because if you opt for TAFE you are only entitled as an EN after graduation. And i don't think they needed the IELTS. And what's more good with this is that the graduates are given slots in the hospitals. I know this because i have a friend who went through this way. She did not take the IELTS and studied for a year then became registered right after her graduation. And luckily now she got a job immediately. :yeah:

BUT :jester: taking this course will take you such a long time hehe.. So going for the bridging course is always a good option since your sufferings will only last up to 12weeks lol! :twocents: so basically that's the two side of the coin, its up to you which course will you take ;)

Hi leey! IELTS is needed with all the universities i have called for inquiry in the RN conversion program, score of 7 in all bands, no waiver! and besides,they require at least a 2 years clinical experience,one can either opt to apply with AHPRA first for their eligibility or take the conversion first then apply with AHPRA to be then granted the AU nursing license. No escape with the mandatory requirements like IELTS/OET/TOEFEL and clinical experience.

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hello everyone!!!

just wanted to ask if somebody knew about Senior first aid certificate... I dont think we have it here in Philippines.. thanks

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do you have an idea if agencies there in oz sponsors for a work visa also?

They used to do that at least here in Adelaide when there was a shortage but now there is a surplus so it's highly unlikely. What you can do and you have probably done it already is to collect a list of hospitals and nursing homes with their addresses in and around the area you'll be living. And of course network, network, network.

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Specializes in Med-Surg / ICU / Aged Care.
i'm planning to consult IDP and enroll for post grad BSN at Flinder's since it's the only uni that accepts RNs like me who does not have 2yrs experience. It would only take a year to finish the course, and hopefully if i'd make it, maybe then i can apply for a working permit? Am i on the right track? hahaha i guess it's far better than studying E.N for 1.5years right... :uhoh3:

im sorry, may i know your score in ielts reading module?? sorry im bit naughty..jejeje

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Specializes in Med-Surg / ICU / Aged Care.
hello everyone!!!

just wanted to ask if somebody knew about Senior first aid certificate... I dont think we have it here in Philippines.. thanks

dont know of such in the phils.. i know that is one of the requirements in some of the BP schools... the nearest you get is that PNRC first aid training... i think there are some private companies who are giving seminars in BLS/ACLS and first aid..

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Specializes in Med-Surg / ICU / Aged Care.

1) after 456 visa, you can apply for tourist visa (while waiting for your registration and job offers).. but there are 456 visa with no extension..

2) IELTS, no escape, stop dreaming, wake up... OET is also acceptable... usually rich people take OET.. IELTS here is @ $350.. OET is more than $650... IELTS have more review study services available unlike OET..

3) DIAC does not closely coordinate with AHPRA and BP schools, except just for confirmation purposes, ya know, just checking if indeed you are AHPRA RN and if indeed you were a student in a BP school... they do not check further unless your documents are suspicious..

4) doing 6 mos. or 1 yr. or 2 yrs. nursing study in Oz is very costly.. common sense, use that money as your allowance while doing volunteer nursing work until you get the needed experience... afterwhich, apply for BP..

5) "agency" is a business and profit oriented firm... they will sell to you 3 apples eventhough you just need 1 apple.. got my point?! if not, retake ielts reading test module..

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hello everyone!!!

just wanted to ask if somebody knew about Senior first aid certificate... I dont think we have it here in Philippines.. thanks

This is for HPH, right? Well, I believe that ACLS will do as a senior First Aid Certificate....

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i know this is out of topic. but i just want to ask -- is there anyone here who has tried taking the oet in lieu of ielts? i know proof of english proficiency is required by diac when you apply for the 457 visa. i tried searching their website but all i see is oet being acceptable for a student visa.

those who are already on a 457 visa, were you advised or do you have any idea if oet is accepted by diac when applying for a working visa? thank you to those who will reply :)

i was wondering the same thing.....has anyone here had experience with oet?:uhoh3:

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1) after 456 visa, you can apply for tourist visa (while waiting for your registration and job offers).. but there are 456 visa with no extension..

how can this be done? can this "extension" be requested during application of visa?

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