UK Nurses - Want to Work in Australia?

Well, why wouldn’t you? This great, glorious, bountiful country has an enviable lifestyle and can offer you plenty of work and adventure. Australia provides a safe environment for both work and travel.

Some background on the Country

Australia is a vast, youthful and fascinating country - made up of 6 states; New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania and 2 territories; Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory. It is approx. 20 hours flight time from the UK and International flights fly direct into Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth & Adelaide. Most of the population choose to live along the extensive coastlines - and with coastlines such as those in Australia, who can blame them! With such a huge land mass, Australia has much to offer the tourist and traveller, presenting a wonderful blend of cultures and lifestyles; totally unique and intriguing range of wildlife and diverse scenic landscape.

Australia’s large major cities are cosmopolitan, packed with scenic and cultural attractions from the many museums to the lively music, restaurant and sporting scene. There is also plenty to see in rural Australia with access to unspoilt wilderness, outback and bushland where you can see some of Australia’s many wild animals and native plants - many of these existing nowhere else in the world except Australia. National Parks are within easy reach of major cities and Australia’s surfing beaches and diving reefs (The Great Barrier Reef) are some of the world’s greatest.

Population

Australia is an independent nation and a member of the British Commonwealth. Australia’s multi-cultural population is almost 20 million and includes the Australian indigenous population of Aborigines.

What’s it like Nursing in Australia?

You’ll find it a little different from the UK, although overall its quite similar. One difference is that most nursing is done by registered nurses with very few enrolled nurses or auxiliaries working. Hospitals are generally much newer and more modern than you are used to and we can provide you work either in the Public system or Private Hospitals. Shift patterns- 7.00am- 1530pm or 1400pm-1030pm. Posts are graded according to experience. For example, the grading of an RN increases each year, from grade 1 to grade 8. The grading also indicates level of pay.

Accommodation suggestions

Hospital accommodation is not commonplace throughout Australia, as it is in the UK. Some hospitals in more remote locations of Australia have on site accommodation. On site accommodation is of a basic standard, with single rooms with shared bathroom, kitchen and laundry facilities. Our Australian office will be happy to try and help you source cheap accommodation in Hostels, Back-packers etc.

Visas and work permits

Pinnacle International will assist the nurse with applying for their working visa, whether that be a working holiday visa (WHV) or a work permit (WP). We can provide advice for this process. The candidate will need to contact the Australian High Commission to obtain relevant forms and follow progress independently.

Nursing Registration

Nursing Registration in Australia is relatively simple to obtain. Registration forms are available from Pinnacle International and must be completed carefully and relevant documentation attached. In order to work in Australia, a nurse must be registered in the relevant state. A mutual recognition system exists, whereby you can gain immediate registration in all states of Australia once you are registered in one state.

Nursing Unions and Indemnity Insurance

The nursing union in Australia is the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF). Membership includes indemnity insurance.

Opening a bank account

In Australia you can open a bank account fairly easily providing you can prove your identity. You must be able to provide evidence of identification totalling 100 points. The Australian office will be happy to provide you with the details required.

Personal Health Insurance & Taxation information

Australia has reciprocal health insurance agreements with New Zealand and the United Kingdom, whereby citizens of these countries may access the Australian public health system. Our consultants will provide you with all the information you require to access the system. They will also give you the details required to get your Tax number so you are registered to work.

What Now?

Firstly you can check out our Vacancies in Australia, then either contact one of our friendly Aussie Consultants for further advise OR register online with our Application form and one of our consultants will follow up with you directly.

Email: healthcare@melb.whe.com.au