I am a registered nurse (male) from the Philippines and I currently hold an eligibility letter from AHPRA that I need to complete a bridging program. However, I was thinking If is it possible for me to apply for subclass visa 176 instead of applying for the bridging program first, since it would save big bucks if you will become a permanent resident while doing a bridging course.
Has anyone inhere who have done the same thing which I am attempting to do.
I really need your advice, since my eligibility letter will expire after a year.
In the past working in these countries did exempt nurses from the Phillipines from a bridging type program, I do hear this has now changed.
The bridging program in Ireland will not be the same as the Australian as the Australian educates overseas nurses of the health system in Australia and the laws in health care which I doubt a program in Ireland would cover.
The exemption to compentency programs, if you read it says if the nurse has gained INITIAL registration in those countries, initial meaning their first nursing qualification not an add on qualification.
Good luck with you quest.
Yes, now I remember you are right. Because my cousin who was an RN in London for nearly 8 years decided to be an RN in AU, she was required by Nurses Board of Victoria before to attend a bridging program. She was a registered nurse from the Philippines but decided to become an RN in UK.
It is true that they might waive it, however, there are so many issues that AHPRA are dealing as of the moment due to unclear policies that they have implemented and one of it is IELTS, but they already made a clear statements on this last August 2011 and it again affected thousands of nurses in AU and overseas.
Yes, now I remember you are right. Because my cousin who was an RN in London for nearly 8 years decided to be an RN in AU, she was required by Nurses Board of Victoria before to attend a bridging program. She was a registered nurse from the Philippines but decided to become an RN in UK.
It is true that they might waive it, however, there are so many issues that AHPRA are dealing as of the moment due to unclear policies that they have implemented and one of it is IELTS, but they already made a clear statements on this last August 2011 and it again affected thousands of nurses in AU and overseas.
Thanks for the clarification...
**That's why documents needs to be assessed still....hopefully it'l be waived since we all submitted to the same state..at the same time... who knows...it would still be up to the boards.
Goodmorning. I am nurse presently working in saudi arabia. I have been practicing my profession for 5 years now and I am planning to work in australia and I am confused on which direction to take, i heard that theres a bridging program while others say one could take the skilled migrant migrant route, which is the right way if I will pursue my goal of working in Ausralia as Registered nurse. Thank you
Goodmorning. I am nurse presently working in saudi arabia. I have been practicing my profession for 5 years now and I am planning to work in australia and I am confused on which direction to take, i heard that theres a bridging program while others say one could take the skilled migrant migrant route, which is the right way if I will pursue my goal of working in Ausralia as Registered nurse. Thank you
Hi
You can proceed for ANMAC assessment, since the ANMAC assessement is require for either sublcass visa 175 or 176. However, in order to practice as RN in AU, you need to register to their nursing board which is AHPRA. AHPRA require all nurses from overseas to undergo bridging course to become a registered nurse, unless you belong to those countries that are not required to render a competency program.
It is like this, ANMAC is for skills assessment in order to file for immigration application in DIAC. Remember, ANMAC do not register nurses.
AHPRA is for you to gain registration and in order to work as RN in AU and requires you to complete the competency program.
If you opt to apply for ANMAC for assessment, you will need to choose the full assessment, since this is the only option for overseas nurses that are not yet registered in AU and wanted to work in AU as RN.
Thank you very much spicynoodles, I appreciate your help. Either way I still have to go through a competency program. How long do the processing usually take and its cost? Did you perhaps an agency who can guide me my application. I planning to take iellts exam again early next year, I fell short for the 7 in all 4 subjects that they require though i have general band score of 7 I seriously doubt if can pass their assessment.
Also I did saw a job opening in the internet(workabroad), this agency offered me a working visa to work in australia, they require at least 6.5 in ielts, I personally phoned them to ask clarification about this and they told me its fine. Knowing i got a 7 general score I am reflecting on whether lodgning an application on this agency but I still find it dubious.
Thank you very much spicynoodles, I appreciate your help. Either way I still have to go through a competency program. How long do the processing usually take and its cost? Did you perhaps an agency who can guide me my application. I planning to take iellts exam again early next year, I fell short for the 7 in all 4 subjects that they require though i have general band score of 7 I seriously doubt if can pass their assessment.
Also I did saw a job opening in the internet(workabroad), this agency offered me a working visa to work in australia, they require at least 6.5 in ielts, I personally phoned them to ask clarification about this and they told me its fine. Knowing i got a 7 general score I am reflecting on whether lodgning an application on this agency but I still find it dubious.
Don't fall into this trap. Agencies will tell you whatever you want to hear. Check the AHPRA website. To work in Australia as an RN you need to satisfy their registration requirements. If an agency will offer you a 'working visa' that only requires 6.5, just walk away. It will save you time and money.
Thank you very much spicynoodles, I appreciate your help. Either way I still have to go through a competency program. How long do the processing usually take and its cost? Did you perhaps an agency who can guide me my application. I planning to take iellts exam again early next year, I fell short for the 7 in all 4 subjects that they require though i have general band score of 7 I seriously doubt if can pass their assessment.
Also I did saw a job opening in the internet(workabroad), this agency offered me a working visa to work in australia, they require at least 6.5 in ielts, I personally phoned them to ask clarification about this and they told me its fine. Knowing i got a 7 general score I am reflecting on whether lodgning an application on this agency but I still find it dubious.
Yes, booby is right. AHPRA or any agencies in AU requires 7 in all categories. 6.5 is just for those who would like to study nursing but to get registration you need 7. Also remember that you need to sit for an Academic IELTS test, since most of the agency would require you to get a General test. DIAC, ANMAC and AHPRA requires Academic IELTS test not General.
Yes, booby is right. AHPRA or any agencies in AU requires 7 in all categories. 6.5 is just for those who would like to study nursing but to get registration you need 7. Also remember that you need to sit for an Academic IELTS test, since most of the agency would require you to get a General test. DIAC, ANMAC and AHPRA requires Academic IELTS test not General.
thank you very much spicybooby:D, for giving me is a very helpful pieces of advices. By the way both of you are in Australia working as a nurse?. I have a very long way to go before I'd get over there. How long is the application process and do we have to look for employers ourselves after completing the competency course or the school will or may recommend us to hospitals after completion.
Spicynoodles and bobby123, which option do you think is faster and appropriate for me the student visa or the skilled migrant?
Hi Sattara, if you really wanted to do bridging program, you need to submit all the requirements to AHPRA, then they will give you a letter of eligibility for Bridging program. Also you must be aware that the type of visa that you will need while doing the competency program may vary from which school you will be attending. Most universities can have student visa, while other colleges and institutes will need a different visa, usually a business short stay visa.
If you have relatives in Aussie, and you want to apply for skilled migration, you can opt to have 176, while if you do not know any one at all,you can have 175.
I really cannot give you any advise as of the moment, since I have not filed my application to ANMAC, since I am waiting for one document to arrive and hopefully I will have it by next week and with good result (In God's Grace).
If you choose to be under an agency, always be careful, since most agencies will provide you a misleading information, of course we know that they need money, but there are only few (very few) agencies that are doing their business sin good faith. I could not recommend any agencies as well.,
(male) from the Philippines and I currently hold an eligibility letter from AHPRA that I need to complete a bridging program. However, I was thinking If is it possible for me to apply for subclass visa 176 instead of applying for the bridging program first, since it would save big bucks if you will become a permanent resident while doing a bridging course. 
spicynoodles
58 Posts
Yes, now I remember you are right. Because my cousin who was an RN in London for nearly 8 years decided to be an RN in AU, she was required by Nurses Board of Victoria before to attend a bridging program. She was a registered nurse from the Philippines but decided to become an RN in UK.
It is true that they might waive it, however, there are so many issues that AHPRA are dealing as of the moment due to unclear policies that they have implemented and one of it is IELTS, but they already made a clear statements on this last August 2011 and it again affected thousands of nurses in AU and overseas.
Thanks for the clarification...