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
At the risk of being off-topic, I just want to ask for comments anyway. My PRC ID will expire this January. Do I really need to renew it? Will it still be useful to have a current, valid PRC ID when you're in Australia already?
The reason I asked is that I was intending to renew the ID before I leave. Went to PRC a few days ago. The girl at the window told me that I can, indeed, apply for renewal 4 to 6 months before my ID expires and that the renewed ID will be released 4 to 6 months later. The problem though is that you can only apply for renewal on the same year that your present ID expires. Huh???!!! So, it means that they can only accept renewals for 2012 January of next year. Since my expiry is January, they can only accept renewal applications on January also.
Hi Joiemike. I asked that same question way back when I first moved overseas. I try to go back to Manila every 6 months or so and I find that having a valid ID is handy for all sorts of transactions. It helps me open bank accounts and I carry it when I make purchases using a credit card or a debit card.
I didn't even have to go to PRC now just to renew my licence. An authorization letter, a picture with my name tag, a lovely relative and the processing fee was all that is needed. I didn't have to sweat anymore to renew my licence.
If you are not going back to the Philippines then I guess you won't need to renew but if you are going back for holidays and such I suggest you renew it. By the way, bring it with you when you go to Australia. I needed to use mine when I looked for accommodation and buy a phone when we first came over.
is it true that you won't be eligible for P.R if you have not studied bachelor's degree for 2 years? with a student visa?
Who said? Where in the world did you get that idea? Australia is open to a lot of skilled workers who don't have a bachelor's degree like welders, chefs, artists, etc. And we, who have bachelor's degrees in our own country, licensed by AHPRA (eventually, hehehe) won't be eligible? Most, if not, all of us wanting to work and live in Australia are in it for the long haul and, therefore, PR & eventual citizenship is our ultimate goal, right? It will be all for naught then if we are not eligible just because we didn't study for 2 years in Australia.
Who said? Where in the world did you get that idea? Australia is open to a lot of skilled workers who don't have a bachelor's degree like welders, chefs, artists, etc. And we, who have bachelor's degrees in our own country, licensed by AHPRA (eventually, hehehe) won't be eligible? Most, if not, all of us wanting to work and live in Australia are in it for the long haul and, therefore, PR & eventual citizenship is our ultimate goal, right? It will be all for naught then if we are not eligible just because we didn't study for 2 years in Australia. [/QUOT
yeah a friend of mine mentioned to me. haha! got really confused about it lately, and if not for you i wouldn't be enlightened. since i'll be getting a student visa for a year and do bridging for a year as well, she told me that i would have a hard time getting P.R since i won't be studying for 2 years. I actually have an aunt in aussie who's willing to pay my tuition and so i needed to fly asap. Too bad i can't take the 3 month BP since i only have 3 months work experience and my ielts is not all 7. I wanted to retake here but my aunt told me just to take it there. So i opted for a 1 year post reg course in Nursing, and i am thinking of taking the ielts again after i graduate. Is it true that in order to register to become an RN, hopefully, i need all 7?
Another friend of mine told me it's ok not to get all 7 (by the time i'd have to register as nurse) as long as you have proof that your secondary school has taught and assessed you in English. any idea?
I did. i think you don't have to worry about your volunteer experience. did they ask more documents? I think they have quiet longer processing time now because thay are already bombarded with lots of applications. Where are you planning to take your BP?
yes they asked some documents such my course outline and theoretical and clinical units.
with my theoretical and clinical units, they are all included in my tor with provided units, so i just sent them another copy of my TOR with an attached note of the information they are looking for.
I have another problem since my CV was not signed by my employers. Is it possible they are going to ask me to do another one with a signatures?
Do you receive already your eligibility? When did you start processing it?
Im planning to take my BP in Melbourne because i have couple of relatives there. How about you?
To those who are already done with their BPs.. just wondering... were you required to submit essay-type assignments/homework? Reason I'm asking is I'm not sure I'll be able to bring my laptop when I leave. My relatives of course have desktops as well as their own laptops there but I wouldn't want to be borrowing theirs often.
Who said? Where in the world did you get that idea? Australia is open to a lot of skilled workers who don't have a bachelor's degree like welders, chefs, artists, etc. And we, who have bachelor's degrees in our own country, licensed by AHPRA (eventually, hehehe) won't be eligible? Most, if not, all of us wanting to work and live in Australia are in it for the long haul and, therefore, PR & eventual citizenship is our ultimate goal, right? It will be all for naught then if we are not eligible just because we didn't study for 2 years in Australia. [/QUOT
yeah a friend of mine mentioned to me. haha! got really confused about it lately, and if not for you i wouldn't be enlightened. since i'll be getting a student visa for a year and do bridging for a year as well, she told me that i would have a hard time getting P.R since i won't be studying for 2 years. I actually have an aunt in aussie who's willing to pay my tuition and so i needed to fly asap. Too bad i can't take the 3 month BP since i only have 3 months work experience and my ielts is not all 7. I wanted to retake here but my aunt told me just to take it there. So i opted for a 1 year post reg course in Nursing, and i am thinking of taking the ielts again after i graduate. Is it true that in order to register to become an RN, hopefully, i need all 7?
Another friend of mine told me it's ok not to get all 7 (by the time i'd have to register as nurse) as long as you have proof that your secondary school has taught and assessed you in English. any idea?
Your friend was right about not taking the IELTS test for as long as you can prove that your secondary education and nursing course were taught in English. But come Sept 19, 2011, things have drastically changed in that only countries mentioned like US, UK, Canada, NZ, South Africa (I don't remember what else) are exempt from the IELTS requirement (Please read the most recent bulletin from AHPRA about this for your guidance). So, yeah, you have to get the minimum 7 in all IELTS categories and in one sitting.
As for the 2 years study in Australia, your friend is right in the sense that it gives you additional points for PR purposes. But it doesn't preclude other PR applicants who have already chalked up the minimum 65 points even without the 2 year study in Australia. Please read the DIAC points system for your guidance. Don't take your friend or others' words including mine as the gospel truth. It pays to research on your own to validate everything so you won't be confused with a lot of opinions and suggestions. It's your life's career that's at stake here and not others'.
To those who are already done with their BPs.. just wondering... were you required to submit essay-type assignments/homework? Reason I'm asking is I'm not sure I'll be able to bring my laptop when I leave. My relatives of course have desktops as well as their own laptops there but I wouldn't want to be borrowing theirs often.
Thanks!
I'm not really sure about how it is from where you will be studying, but yes there are a lot of essays to write when I had my BP at VCHN. It would be convenient to just bring your own laptop. Good luck!
Hello guyz... has anyone gone to Mercy Health training Institute? how much is their Bp?... their Return to Practice Program is at 4,000 AUD so i guess their IRON Program would be just the same...
Hi there! So we'll be classmates?! I'm also in for CON's Sept. 26 intake. Regarding your questions, here's what I understand:
1. Yes, you need one dose (adult) of DPT. Either Boostrix or Adacel will do.
2. If you've had chickenpox before, a medical certificate would suffice. For MMR you need to have had 2 doses. If you neither have both then you have to have 2 doses each. What I did was I had my first MMR and Varicella vaccine at the same day (about a couple of weeks ago). My second dose for both would be on the 20th.
I hope you've at least had the first dose of the MMR and Varicella. I don't think you'll have enough time to complete both because they have to be at least 28 days apart. Maybe you can have your second shot at a clinic in Sydney? From what the coordinator at CON told me, we'll be needing proof of those vaccines at the start of our clinical placement. So I think you'll have enough time, as we still have 4 weeks before being placed in a healthcare facility.
Oh another thing, NSW Health department also requires us to complete Hepa B vaccine AND titre of at least 10 (According to the checklist) :)
See you soon!
Thankyou so much for the reply!
As to MMR vaccine, do I really have to get another shot even if I had it already when i was a baby? What if I'll just have my IgG checked?Since i had measles when i was in grade school:(( Wah, Im beginning to panic! haha!
Regarding Hepa B, I had my booster shot in college, and had my titer checked last December 2010, showing more than 10 (190+), is that enough? Or Should I still get another booster shot? Please HELP!
Hello guyz... has anyone gone to Mercy Health training Institute? how much is their Bp?... their Return to Practice Program is at 4,000 AUD so i guess their IRON Program would be just the same...
The Return to Practice Program is applicable to Aus RN's (i.e. PR or citizen) who haven't practiced in the last 5 years and wish to renew their practicing license. Hence the $4,000. As for us, it is the Initial Registration for Overseas-trained Nurses (IRON) Program and the cost at Mercy Health is $10,000.00. Both programs are practically the same but applies to different professionals - one local, the other foreign.
As to MMR vaccine, do I really have to get another shot even if I had it already when i was a baby? What if I'll just have my IgG checked?Since i had measles when i was in grade school:(( Wah, Im beginning to panic! haha!
Regarding Hepa B, I had my booster shot in college, and had my titer checked last December 2010, showing more than 10 (190+), is that enough? Or Should I still get another booster shot? Please HELP!
I suggest you have your HepB titre checked again. If it's adequate then I guess you can skip the booster. Are you really in for the September 26 intake? Do you already have a visa?
Regarding your MMR, I think having your IgG checked will cost more than receiving the 2 doses. You've had mumps, measles and rubella when you were a child?
yeah a friend of mine mentioned to me. haha! got really confused about it lately, and if not for you i wouldn't be enlightened. since i'll be getting a student visa for a year and do bridging for a year as well, she told me that i would have a hard time getting P.R since i won't be studying for 2 years. I actually have an aunt in aussie who's willing to pay my tuition and so i needed to fly asap. Too bad i can't take the 3 month BP since i only have 3 months work experience and my ielts is not all 7. I wanted to retake here but my aunt told me just to take it there. So i opted for a 1 year post reg course in Nursing, and i am thinking of taking the ielts again after i graduate. Is it true that in order to register to become an RN, hopefully, i need all 7? 
bobby123
234 Posts
Hi Joiemike. I asked that same question way back when I first moved overseas. I try to go back to Manila every 6 months or so and I find that having a valid ID is handy for all sorts of transactions. It helps me open bank accounts and I carry it when I make purchases using a credit card or a debit card.
I didn't even have to go to PRC now just to renew my licence. An authorization letter, a picture with my name tag, a lovely relative and the processing fee was all that is needed. I didn't have to sweat anymore to renew my licence.
If you are not going back to the Philippines then I guess you won't need to renew but if you are going back for holidays and such I suggest you renew it. By the way, bring it with you when you go to Australia. I needed to use mine when I looked for accommodation and buy a phone when we first came over.