US nurse (completely clueless about relocation!)

[Am34161]

Hello! I’m currently a neonatal ICU nurse in the US, and have completed my RN-BSN. I am looking to relocate to Australia after I work here for two more years. Can anyone give me information on hospitals to apply to (NICU would be ideal), process for registration, and what all of that looks like? For example, in the US we must be registered through our board of nursing in each state before we can practice. I have absolutely no idea what the process looks like, so all info is appreciated. Just want to get ahead so I can have all of it completed by the time I make the move! Thank you.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

For registration starting point is https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Registration-and-Endorsement/International.aspx

[sparticus2008]

So, first things first -
Registration:
In Australia nursing registration is national, so there is a single national board that nurses register with that allows them to work in every state & territory.
https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Process/Overseas-Practitioners.aspx
https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Registration-and-Endorsement/International.aspx
- As long as your can provide evidence of having completed your education, (School and university/college) in the USA you will automatically meet the English requirements without having to do further English language tests

[sparticus2008]

(sorry it published and wouldn't let me edit it - to continue my response )

- start collecting documents now: Including copies of all your unit outlines from when you studied & a record of how many clinical/practice hours you completed as a student.
The biggest thing to be aware of is that you have to show that you completed 800 clinical(practical) hours as part of your education/training.

As for where to apply.... well that totally depends on where you want to live.
Some Neonatal Intensive Care units in Australia are:
New South wales
The Children's Hospital at Westmead (Sydney)
The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (Sydney)
The Children's Hospital (Newcastle - about 2.5hr north of Sydney)

Queensland
Mater Mothers (Brisbane)
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (Brisbane)

Victoria
Mercy Hospital for Women,(Melbourne)
Monash Medical Centre, (Melbourne)
Royal Children’s Hospital (Melbourne)

South Australia
Women and Children's Hospital (Adelaide)

Western Australia
- King Edward Memorial Hospital (Perth)
- Fiona Stanley Hospital (Perth)
These are just some of the high level/tertiary neonatal units.
Any hospital that offers maternity will have some degree of neo-natal unit but these vary in terms of the acuity of the baby & the services they offer.

If your area of expertise/where you want to work is high-level neonatal care, extreme premmies etc. then you will be looking at mainly public hospitals, as most private hospitals only have neonatal units/special care nurseries that are from 34 weeks (or 36 if they are a smaller hospital).
All Australian citizens & permanent residents are entitled to access the public health care system free of charge - so high level neonatal care (which is expensive) is most often only available in the public health care system.