457 visa/AHPRA registration problem!

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I am perplexed as to how to start the process for employer sponsored (457 visa) nursing in Australia.

The Immigration and Boarder Protection Agency sent a very nice email stating that registration with AHPRA would be needed first, before looking for an employer/sponsor. The AHPRA requires a US visa ( I am from the US) WITH an Australian visa stamp for identification BEFORE they will issue the registration. They will issue a provisional registration without the visa, providing all the other application requirements have been met. They have stated that I must present myself, in person to any AHPRA office to finalize the registration, and the offices are only in Oz. Only then can I start looking for an employer.

Going to Australia without the promise of employment is out of the question for me, and I would imagine most people.

Could someone who has traversed this path please help me.

Thanks

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Specializes in Acute Care. ER. Aged Care/LTC. Psyche.

I was in the US when I applied for AHPRA registration. They sent me an "in-principle" registration. It's basically a guarantee that you are registered provided you meet the last requirement, which is appearing to any AHPRA office for identity check. I used that "in-prinicple" registration to find work online, which eventually lead to the then DIAC approving my 457 visa application.

When I arrived in Australia, under 457 visa, I presented my self to AHPRA Sydney and got my full registration later the same day.

So I guess you can try this path if DIBP has not changed its rules. It worked well for me.

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Thanks so much, I'll start filling out the AHPRA paperwork.

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I would add that unless you have some outstanding experience that a person with a substantial visa does not have or a citizen there is an almighty union drive to stop 457 visa, s for nurses just willy nilly. Hospitals have been for past year already are advertising for applicants with work rights. There are plenty of applicants without paying out the big money to sponsor an overseas nurse. Experienced nurses and new graduates are having trouble getting work.

Also due to new criteria, no overseas nurse has reported been given registration since october last year.

Same as every other country.sorry for the news you probably do not want to hear, but then we are over hearing how many nurses from overseas saying that they have rights to 457 because they have poured money into registration and bridging courses and now find themselves going back home. Then there ade those who got pr visa complain that they have spent loads of money to emigrate to Australia and cannot find work, except casual or part time. The nurses on 457 are not being sponsored for pr, after their 2 year waiting period and this is all our fault as well.

Nursing should come off the skills list asap.

Ic you still want to apply go for it, but I would not waste my time trying to get a 457, better getting 189 or 190.

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The cost- $3520 for a nominated visa, on top of all the other costs has us looking for other avenues. Working and living in Oz for a couple years would be fantastic, but if we can only do a long holiday there, that is what we will do.

Thanks all

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Specializes in Neuro ICU/Float Pool ICU/PACU.

Once I gain AHPRA registration, what employers are willing to sponsor my visa?

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Have you anything to offer potential employers that they cannot get in a person living in Australia with work rights? Some speciality that has a shortage of applicants. Theatre is one of the shortage specialties. 457 visa sponsorship is not as popular as it once was due to many locals not getting work, employers must now have backup that they cannot find a local.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU/Float Pool ICU/PACU.

Well I have 2.5 years of experience in Neuro Step-Down ICU and Neurovascular ICU. I have been told those areas are in high demand as well. Ramsay Health Care, I found, does offer sponsorships if they find an overseas applicant that they would like to offer a position for, as well as a few other employers contingent upon AHPRA approval. Having said that, I would like to know if there are any companies that are offering sponsorship aside from the Ramsay Corporation?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Neuroscience, Med-Surg.

ceridwyn,

I was wondering the same thing as RN_Mateo. I too have 6 years of neuroscience/neurosurgical experience and nationally certified as CNRN and was wondering what is the likelihood of sponsorship in a hospital in Melbourne. In the process of health declaration, so in few days visa application for skillselect-189. So, my timeline is about July-August 2015. Any advice would be great especially with potential rental areas around The Alfred and CBD, thanks in advance :)

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