In order work as a Registered Nurse in Australia we will need to have the following items
- A Visa
- The relevant Nursing Registration
- Assessment of Further Qualifications
- Language skills assessed
Visa Information for Registered Nurses
The Australian Government's
Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) is
ultimately responsible for consideration of your visa application. Outside
Australia, the Australian Embassy or High Commission deals with Australian
visa applications.
There are 4 types of visa/entry permit that nurses may enter Australia on and
legally undertake employment as a registered nurse. These are:
Employer Sponsored work Permit (457)
Dependant Visa
Permanent Resident/Australian Citizen
Working Holiday Visa
Nursing Registration in Australia
The registered nurse
(Division 1)
The registered nurse is a first level nurse, educated in pre-registration
degree level courses in universities. Nursing courses are broad based and
comprehensive and are designed to prepare candidates to work in a wide variety
of health care settings. Registered nurses are licensed to practice nursing in
the fields in which they are registered without supervision, and assume
accountability and responsibility for all their actions and aspects of care.
The enrolled nurse/registered nurse (Division 2)
The enrolled nurse is a second level nurse who provides nursing care within
the limits specified by education and the registering authority's license to
practice. Enrolled nurses in Australia are primarily educated through advanced
certificate or associated diploma level courses in colleges of Technical and
Further Education (TAFE). Enrolled nurses work under the direction and
supervision of registered nurses, but retain responsibility for their own
actions and remain accountable to the registered nurse for all delegated
functions.
Registration Requirements
Australia is divided into 6 States and 2 territories, and it is a legal
requirement under the Nurses' Act of each state and Territory that nurses must
be registered or enrolled in the state or territory that they intend to
practice. Each of the States and Territories has a nurse regulatory authority
that maintains its own register of registered and enrolled nurses.
Assessing Further Qualifications
If you hold post graduate nursing
qualifications, you may be eligible for an allowance in addition to your base
salary. Your post graduate qualifications should be assessed by the Australian
Nursing Council (ANC) and then presented along with the assessment on, or
before your commencement date.
Australian Nursing Council (ANC)
First Floor
20 Chalis Street
Dickson ACT 2602
Tel: +612 6257 7960
Fax: +612 6257 7955
Web: www.anc.org.au
For information about overseas assessments, determinations and applications
please contact the Overseas section on the details below:
Tel: +612 6274 9104 or
Email:
osq@anc.org.au.
Language Requirements
It is essential that nurses have a
level of proficiency in English which enables them to communicate competently
and safely with clients and colleagues.
In order to waive the English language test, applicants must provide evidence
that their initial nursing education program was delivered in English - both
theoretical and clinical practice modules. Evidence is also required or recent
experience as a registered nurse in a health care agency where the medium of
communication used in the practice setting is English.
All other nurses are required to successfully complete one of the following
English Language Tests:
- Occupational English Test (OET) for
Nurses:
The required pass level is a B or above in all 4 sections of the test. - The International English Language
Testing System (IELTS) - Academic Test
The required pass level is a score of not less than 6.5 in each of the 4 sections with an overall score of not less than 7
For further information regarding these tests:
| Language
Australia Level 4, 51 Queen Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Tel: +613 9612 2600 Fax: +613 9612 2601 Email: admin@languageaustralia.com.au. http://www.languageaustralia.com.au |
IELTS
Australia GPO Box 2006 Canberra ACT 2601 Tel: +612 6285 8222 Fax: +612 6285 3233 Email: ielts@idp.edu.au. http://www.ielts.org |
