Your guide to working as a nurse in Australia

The country clearly has its attractions – stunning beaches, beautiful weather and an infamous laid-back lifestyle. But if you’ve previously been put off by the paperwork of taking up nursing in Australia, it’s getting even easier for nurses to make the move. From last July, nurses no longer need to register with each individual state to practise. Instead, the country, like the UK, has a national registration and accreditation scheme run by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Add that to the fact that nurses are in high demand in Australia, and as such their visa applications usually get top priority, and you have the makings of a pretty smooth move down under.

Australia is looking for nurses in all specialisms

Dependent on certain criteria, you can have the option of moving permanently as a skilled migrant, working temporarily in the country, or, for those just looking for a taste of the delights Australia has to offer who are aged between 18 and 30, you can head there for a working holiday. There are also options to get occupational trainee visas if you are looking to undertake a supervised training programme in the workplace to improve your skills.

You’ll need to be able to prove that you are proficient in speaking the English language, and there are a number of tests you can take to demonstrate that, and you’ll also need to provide evidence that you are qualified to practise as a nurse.

If this all feels like too much paperwork, you can employ the services of a migration agent, who will advise you how to apply for a work visa, as well as counselling you in choosing the best area to live in terms of schools or lifestyle, as well as help you with finding a property and your financial arrangements.

Australia is looking for nurses in all specialisms, so there really isn’t a better time to grab your bikini (and your fob watch) and head to Oz. The box below provides some useful links to help you navigate the options available to you. This month, we are focusing on Australia, with featured employers who can sponsor nurses to head to the country.

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