How to Get a Job As a Nurse in Australia
Nurses, doctors and dentists in Australia.
It is true to say that there is a shortage of nurses, doctors and indeed, dentists here in Australia. So how easy is it for those from the medical professions to qualify for Permanent Residency (PR) or an Employer Sponsored 
Workers Visa?
The popular belief is that it is very easy indeed, but you should bear in mind that there are criteria that have to be met.
- Your age.
- Your ability to speak the English language.
- Your current qualifications and the country in which you obtained them.
- Your qualifications will need to be assessed by the relevant authority here in Australia.
- Upon successful assessment, you will need to obtain registration with one of the state or territory nursing registration boards.
I have deliberately been non-specific about these criteria they are subject to change by the Australian Government. For that reason, the best source for up-to-date information is the Australian Government’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website.
You will find their overview of doctors and nurses here….
Visit http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/medical-practitioners/
With specific information about working as a doctor including a link to visa options for doctors here….
Visit http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/medical-practitioners/doctors.htm
And more specific information about working as a nurse with a link to visa options for nurses here…
Visit http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/medical-practitioners/visa-options-nurses.htm
There are many medical recruitment companies and MARA registered migration agents who would be willing to help you in your search for employment within the medical professions and help you obtain your visa.
I am currently looking for reliable contacts in this field and as soon as I am successful with this, I’ll be adding their details here. But there is nothing to stop you looking for a sponsorship yourself. Please read my page about job sponsorships here.
More useful links:
The following posts from my blog may be of interest.
Going to the Dentist in Australia.
What It’s Really Like to Be Bitten by a Redback Spider
The Australian Health Service: Getting an X-Ray
Calling the Doctor’s Surgery When It’s Closed
The Universal Law of Doctors
6 Ways to Emigrate to Australia
If you still have any questions, please comment below…..
{ 61 comments… read them below or add one }
helloo..>!>m a dentist here just nw passed out …hav done my B.D.S….soo how can i get PR..of australia…wht all steps i hav to follow so that i can become a practioner in australia..>!>.can my parents accompany me..?..plzz.do reply .shall be highly thankful to u n oblige…..
Hi you should have no problem moving to Australia. Try the temp457 skilled work visa.
Is here in India or uk ?
Hi, I just qualified as a mental health nurse in the UK and was wondering do I apply for registration in perth first before I look for a sponsor or can it be done at the same time? Also I have a 12yr old so how do I go about adding her onto my application please? Also would it be best to visit OZ & then approach a few employer or contact them while I’m still in the UK, such as applying via email?
All questions I can’t answer, I’m afraid. This is a specialised area for which I am not a specialist. Each state has different processes to go through and different nursing requirements in terms of what they are short of, as far as I’m aware.
You may even find that you’ll need to get some work experience first too, as you have only just qualified.
So you’ll need to do some research and find someone who does know the answers to your questions to help you. Sorry I am not qualified to be that person.
hi, I’m from Chile and I’m studying to be a dentist here. I would like to know if I have a chance to finish my studies there and stay permanently?
If it’s possible please guide my in which steps should I take.
Hi Emilio, same answer as for Samantha above, I’m afraid. But do pursue it, dentists are currently a big shortage here in Australia.
hello;;;;;;;;;;i am working as a clinical instructor .&i did bsc nursing………..i want to go to australia through ABP bridging programme………..i belong to india……also i have a enqery related to pr system for indians………..IN DIS PROGRAMMEW………i will join a hospital……..then they will register me as a registered nurse.can i get pr here………..
hii my name is ajit i m doing master of pharmacy 1 year in india and my wife complet 3 year G.N.M nursing and now she is doing 2 year coarse post basic b.sc nursing so plz answer me sir if the possible go to direct p.r visa in austilia or canada plz reply my email i.d plz
Hi iam Niaz Mahmud from Bangladesh. I have completed my MBBS from Maulana vasani from in 2005(DHAKA)..n also did 1 yr PGT in medicine from Rajshahi medical college..n now working as a medical officer in TERE DES HOMMES( Lausune) switzerland project in Bangladesh. for better oportunity I want to move Aus.. can I move to Aus or I need more qualification to move in Aus??? n is it possible to move Aus with ILTES??? if not what should be the score require for IELTS??.. .Plzz.do reply .shall be highly thankful to u n oblige..
Dr. Niaz mahmud…..
m doing b.sc nursing in india,in punjab, m in 4th year, i wana settle down in australia and wana work as a nurse in melbourne so please help me out what al do i need to get a job in hospital in melbourne
join me on fb(dukhi@live.com), coz i think u r also Dukhi like me . so plz
hi,harpreet kaur I am completed general nursing midwifery before 3 year,I working as a staff nurse more than 2 years, now i want to settle in australia and want a work as a registered nurse melbourne so plz reply me shall highly thankful to u
Hey,i did BSc nursing in Nigeria.How can i get P.R to work in australia?I really wana go there.
Dear Sir/Madam,
My name is Ms.Catherine , from India, a Registered Nurse. In the month of april 2010, i lodged an application with ANMC, and received a LETTER OF DETERMINATION, suggesting me to undergo the overseas nurses bridging programe.
1. Now with this letter, if i under go the bridging programe, Will I get RN Licensure ?
2. I heard about AHPRA, So should i do my complete assessment once again with AHPRA, and with the letter which they issue is one valid for me to undergo the bridging programe ?
and to get RN ?
please reply me, to take the necessary steps.
regards,
hiya just looked at ur website. really enjoyin readin all your info. my question is, im a phlebotomist in my local hospital.do you have anx idea if i would i be considered as a skilled worker? thanks
Checkout this page…….
Getting Sponsored
and have a look under the more useful links section and click the link called Employer Sponsored Workers. You will find a lot of good information there.
thank you for the advice. now all i have to do is convince my partner that leaving scotland is the best thing for us and our little girl. thanks again
. tracey
It’s a great place to bring up kids, I’m sure you’ll convince him. Good luck!
I’ve convinced him, yippee. We r going to an immigration exhibition in Feb and taking it from there. Hopefully between his job, he a controller of site safety for the railway and mine we can move over. Thanks again for a fantastic website, its been great to read. Fingers crossed. Tracey
Congratulations! I thought you would
Now the real work starts. It can be quite a lengthy process, but worth it in the end assuming you get a yes. Good luck!
Hiya, just thought id give you an update. We are in the early stages of immagrating. The paperwork has all been filled in and we are now just waiting on Craig sponsorship coming through
. Just one question though if you don’t mind. My little girl doesn’t have her mmr jag. Will she need to get it for moving over. Thanks
As far as I am aware it’s not a requirement, but if I remember rightly it is a series of jabs, and because we had started the process with our young daughter in the UK, we made sure we finished it before we moved over here.
By the way, I’m not a doctor
so take no notice of me. Do we have a doctor in the house?
Hi,
I just happened to come across your website today. I’ve been planning on moving to Australia in the future and I was just wondering what the odds would be for me. I’m currently training as a radiology tech with the U.S. Navy. If you could give me a ballpark figure of the difficulty that I would or wouldn’t have and anything that I might have to do in advance I would really appreciate it.
Thanks,
Ryan
See Would I Qualify?
I m working as consultant catdiac anaesthetist in india.i have 6 years of post MD expoexperience.i want to move to aus.can u guide me for that.thanks
No, but I might know somebody who can. I’ll get back to you.
Hi Dr
I’ve spoken to a couple of people and things aren’t as clear cut as one would hope. I think you need to find out if your work experience qualifies you as a category 1, category 2 or category 3 doctor. if you need help, I can recommend a MARA migration agent to you.
Cheers
Bob
Hi me and my partner who is a band six nurse hear in the uk. Have been talking about a move to aus. But I’m not sure if I would be excepted as I have a criminal record and a conviction when I was a youth over 15 years ago. my conviction in the uk is now classed as spent. And have since had to do jury service. And now work as a security officer with an sia security licence. I’m trying to find out if I would be eligible to travle on my partners visa. If I could not get one for myself. Many thanks Matthew.
Why don’t you do a police records check on yourself? They are simple to do, I believe you can just walk into your nearest police station with ID and fill in form. I’m sure they only cost £10 when I did mine. Then you can see if it comes up clean, and if it doesn’t you can set about trying to get whatever does turn up removed. If it’s spent, I think it should be gone, otherwise it may be an infringement of your human rights.
That’s only my opinion, of course, I’m not a lawyer
i am an b.pharmacy graduate, and i want a job in sydney
i am a b.pharmacy graduate and i have scored 7 in ielts, so are there any chances of migration or job in sydney……….as my partner lives there
Visas
Hi,
I just got married and me and my wife is thinking of moving to Australia. We have never been there before to start with. We are having hard time chosing on where to settle but seem to be leaning towards Canberra. My wife is greek( Greece and schooled in Greece) She is a nurse with 3years exprience working in Cyprus here. I’m from Nigeria with a degree in political sc. but works as a personal assistance to a senior partner in a law firm here in Cyprus. I had 2years exprience working in bank as a cashier back home in Nigeria more than 7years ago.
So what do u think of my chance of getting a job in any field? and what do u think abt our choice of a city? What suggestions can you give and how can we go abt maybe finding a sponsor
All Questions I can’t answer… although I do have a page called A Quick Guide to Choosing a City in Australia
Hi Y ‘all,
After working in USA for 9 years, I am ready to go back home to SYDNEY.
I missed Australia so Much… See you all soon.
Hope to see you back here soon Gilbert.
Hi bob
the given information is very helpful.i really appreciate you work but i am confused about nursing skilled job http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/medical-practitioners/visa-options-nurses.htm
whether there is demand of male nurse or female? i am male .kindly clear my confusion.
thanks N regards.
Farooq.
Australia is an equal opportunities country, there is no sex discrimination here. I believe the positions are open to both male and female nurses.
Hi
Hi
Hi Bob and thanks for all this useful information! I am completing my paramedic licensure/certification here in the U.S. and also have an B.A. (unrelated) degree from an American University. To work s a medic in Australia, will it be as simple as applying for a temporary business visa and getting “tested” by a paramedical authority? I’ve read about training of a year or more being necessary if not from Australia.
Thank you and I appreciate your help in advance!
Hi Danielle
Getting any kind of work visa for Australia can never be described as simple.
As far as those in the medical professions are concerned, I think there are recognised qualification according to the Royal Australian College of GPs. I think they have categories one, two and three depending upon which country you got your qualifications. Category one is the most desirable. You need to find out where your qualification would sit.
I can’t help you with that, but my Visa Assessment Service would put you on the right track, although it isn’t free. Sorry I can’t be more helpful.
hi I am a newly qualified nurse..I have been working as a nurse in a nursing home in the UK for one year now. How do I go about applying for jobs in australia?
That’s something I’ve yet to look into Steph, all I know so far is what I’ve written above. Maybe one of my other readers can help?
I am nurse I want to job in Australia. how apply please help me.
I’m a UK resident and GP with membership of the Royal College of GPs. My wife is a Nurse.We want to get residency in Australia. Is it possible to do this before moving there without occupational sponsorship, as I’d prefer to look for work once I’m there?
Sure it is possible, it’s how we got here.
You need to apply for permanent residency, based on your skills you will possibly have enough points for that, depending on your age. It probably takes longer to get this type of visa than it would for a sponsored occupational visa, but when you get here you can live wherever you want and work for whomever you want.
My wife has done GNM i.e. General Midwifery from India 5 years back. how we can move to Australia. which tests should she qualify and where.
Hi,is it possible to move over to Australia just after finishing a medical degree in the UK ( and doing the australian equivalent of the british foundation training?)??
Not something I can answer, does anyone else know?
Hi Bob
I would like to find out if it’s possible to include my boyfriend as my dependant on my application for permanent residency? I’m a nurse but he isn’t in a skilled job?whats the best way for us emigrating from the uk together as we are not married?
Look forward to your advice, thank you.
It’s possible, but you would have to prove that your partner and yourself have been living together, as if you were man and wife, for more than (I think) 12 months.
That means joint bills in both of your names, joint mortgages or rental agreements, that sort of thing.
Thank you Bob, that information was really helpful!
I appreciate it.
my aunt wanted me to be at Australia to be petitioned by her as tourist visa,shes a nurse working in a hospital also,. iam a nurse with 1 year experience only,. she told me she help me , first she will petition me then had a tourist visa only for about six months, when the time Im already at Australia she will help me with the processing with my papers and find me job, how could it possible? how long does it takes? what are the usual requirements for that? hope someone could answer me., thank you
hi bob,
i just called her aunt but where already i think 3rd degree already,. any requiremnts for that? i mean does it need IELTS?, NCLEX?
my concerned is that how long does it takes if she petition me then had only tourist visa,. i was confused what will happened next.
if thats the case so that i can prepare my self ,
gillie, I really have no idea what you are saying or asking, but as a nurse I am pretty certain you will need IELTS. There’s not too many things more dangerous than a nurse who misunderstands exactly what to administer to a patient, if you understand what I mean. So for that reason, a good level of IE LTS is essential.
Good luck!
Please help me with this age thing… I’m a pediatrician in Colorado, USA. Hubbie is likely to be transferred to Brisbane by his company within the next year (so his Visa will be their problem). I’d like to work, as well. Is it true that you need to be under 45 years old? I just turned 42 – guess I’d better get my act together and start job hunting!
No, at the moment it isn’t true. As of June or July last year, the age was raised to under 50 to be able to apply for a working visa. Theoretically though, that could change to any age at any time should the government decide.
Having said all that, if your husband qualifies for a visa through his work, you should be able to include yourself on his application and automatically qualify with him, irrespective of your age. You should not need to qualify in your own right, you come as his spouse.
You need to check that out and make sure you are included.