Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

allnurses

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.
Discussion

Working Holiday as RN?

Hi!

I'm seeking an opportunity to gain a bedside RN experience in Australia. I've been researching a visa for Australia and the registration process, but it seems like very expensive and long. Then I saw a post related to the working holiday.

So my question is,

Is it possible for US trained nurse to get a RN job if there is any chance? (Working holiday case only)

If I can, how can I get certified as a RN to work there?

Thank you!

Featured Replies

You need to get registered with AHRPA. Get your visa. Then contact as many nursing agencies as you want

  • Author
You need to get registered with AHRPA. Get your visa. Then contact as many nursing agencies as you want

Do you know how long does it take to get registered withAHRPA? I heard that it takes quite awhile :)

Thank you!

I think a lot will depend on where you trained and what experience you have plus how timely their recieve all your documents. Can take a few months but without registration you will not be able to work in Australia as a nurse

I completed the whole process a few months ago, and am headed over to Melbourne in June! It took me about 8 months to get my AHPRA registration, and 1-2 mos for my working holiday visa. I've heard less for AHPRA, like just a few months, but most people I've heard it takes 6+.

I applied in January (this year) for my AHPRA registration and heard back in mid-February that I was approved. Just follow the instructions exactly on the application. Sidebar: you do need to have your BSN to be a registered nurse in Australia.

The work/holiday visa is also pretty straight forward again just follow the directions exactly. I applied for that April 14th and it was approved April 22!

There are plenty of nursing agencies to work with (I've spoken with almost all!) and in my opinion Nightingale Nursing is the best. The respond quickly to e-mails and their staff is very professional/helpful. Its been my experience that many agencies say they work with work/holiday nurses but actually don't want to. Nightingale Nursing

(The application for AHPRA) Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia - Internationally Qualified Nurses and Midwives

There are other procedures which need to be done (National Police check, working with children check, CPR, TB test, proof of vaccinations are the main ones). Those are further down the road once you've made contract with an agency the can/should help point you in the right direction.

So start with the AHPRA and then move to the visa.

Best of luck.

  • Author

Thank you guys for the replies!

So I've been encountered with couple questions while Completing the form.

1) if you don't have physical address in Australia, can you put your US or current resident address? Or must I have to have an address in Australia?

2) also, I'm foreign born. My first language is not english, but I've completed 5 yr education in english. Am I required to take IELTs?

Thank you in advance for your replies!

You can complete the application from another country. I did everything from the USA. Put your current address on the application. And I chose the option for receiving e-mails because its faster.

As long as you were educated for 5 years full-time in one of the countries listed on the application.

USA, UK, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada or Ireland.

Wow! Thanks for the information!

I'm 23 years old, working in an ICU in the US and fell in love with Australia when I visited Sydney! I wanna do this working holiday visa!

Question: Will Australian hospital employers allow us to work for 6 months as stated in the work and holiday/working holiday visa? Or is that something under the control of an agency?

Question: Will Australian hospital employers allow us to work for 6 months as stated in the work and holiday/working holiday visa? Or is that something under the control of an agency?

with my hospital you would have to apply for a fixed term position that is advertised or join the Nurse Resource Team - guaranteed shifts but float from ward to ward. Or if you are looking for something more casual you could join bank in a hospital - if you have a speciality you can do bank just for that area or work on the general wards as well

@ Scooby-dooby-doo Hi there!Hope all is well! My name is Aqueelah and I saw on the UCLA RN Residency program 2013 forum, that you interviewed and received the position for liver transplant/SICU! So happy for you, Congrats! I wanted to ask about your experience with the interview process, the types of questions, time line etc. My interview is next week! So excited!

Also, how is everything going for you thus far?

@ Scooby-dooby-doo Hi there!Hope all is well! My name is Aqueelah and I saw on the UCLA RN Residency program 2013 forum, that you interviewed and received the position for liver transplant/SICU! So happy for you, Congrats! I wanted to ask about your experience with the interview process, the types of questions, time line etc. My interview is next week! So excited!

Also, how is everything going for you thus far?

This has nothing to do with the thread and may get lost in discussion better to start thread in the state forum

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Add a Comment

Currently Reading 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.