Nursing jobs in Australia: Ultimate guide
Nursing jobs in Australia: Are you planning on moving to Australia to live and work as a nurse? If that is the case, then you have made a great decision. A career in nursing in Australia is tremendously satisfying. Working in Australia provides a variety of work options and high-income possibilities.
In Australia, you would have access to some of the greatest nursing schools in the world and fantastic job prospects. Are you an international nursing student still determining where to begin the search for nursing jobs in Australia? You’re in luck, as we’ve created a helpful guide to address all of your inquiries about studying nursing in Australia. If you are an American, you can check for Australian jobs for Americans.
Nursing jobs in Australia: Can foreigners enrol?
Foreigners are allowed to enrol for nursing jobs in Australia. Australia is a great place for international students to study nursing. You must fulfil several requirements if you wish to pursue this educational route. So what are the prerequisites for nursing studies in Australia?
Nursing jobs in Australia: Requirements
- Generally, the significant requirements include English language fluency and satisfactory completion of an Australian Year 12 qualification (or comparable international secondary school level).
- To register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), you must demonstrate that you can speak English well if you are not a native speaker.
An English language test can help you achieve this. Several organizations offer even specialized English language assessment for healthcare professionals. These exams are typically written to mirror actual job tasks and contain pertinent language abilities.
While these are the fundamental standards, you must fulfil, specific education providers may have extra or particular requirements. For instance, several universities mandate that nursing students have vaccinations against various diseases that can be prevented by vaccination before beginning any practicums.
Additionally, some colleges demand that applicants have passed prerequisite courses in topics like arithmetic and a few sciences. Check the prerequisites for each institution’s nursing programs on their website.
We need to clarify something for greater specificity. In Australia, two distinct categories of nurses are distinguished by two distinct branches: Enrolled Nurses VS Registered Nurses.
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The Registered Nurse
Registered nurse is one of the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) occupations. Therefore, a highly sought-after position in Australia due to the increased likelihood of obtaining a sponsor.
Jobs of the registered nurse
- Assessing, planning, administering, and evaluating nursing care for patients in accordance with nursing standards and practice.
- Working in consultation with other health professionals and team members and coordinating the care of patients.
- Providing interventions, treatments, and therapies such as medicine and monitoring care plan responses.
- Participating in health education and other health promotion activities to promote health and aid in illness prevention
- Answering inquiries and providing information about treatment and care to patients and their families
- Supervising and managing the work of
To begin working as a registered nurse and enter the employment market, you must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and be recognized as eligible by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) by submitting the relevant documentation.
Steps to becoming a registered Australian nurse
- Present identification, a criminal record, and a notice of pending charges.
- English certification: IELTS Academic with a minimum score of 6.5 out of 7. (this score varies depending on the school and the chosen course)
- AHPRA has issued a Letter of Decision (depending on the school and chosen course)
- Certificate granted upon completion of the Bridging Course.
- Time spent working as a nurse commensurate with standards.
- Registration with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Board
- Compliance with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation (AHPRA)
- Employment in a hospital or healthcare organization and the ability to get a Sponsor Visa or the opportunity to apply for a Skilled Visa
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The Enrolled Nurse
An Enrolled Nurse is a professional who has acquired a diploma at the very least. Although Enrolled Nurses play a crucial role in hospitals, they have less authority than Registered Nurses. They will function more as team members than supervisors. Enrolled Nurses are typically a patient’s initial point of contact; hence, their contribution to the healthcare system is crucial.
An Enrolled Nurse works under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse and cannot operate independently of the Registered Nurse’s care plan. The enrolled nurse
- Assessing, planning, and implementing nursing care for patients in accordance with approved nursing standards and nursing practice.
- Providing interventions, treatments, and therapies such as drug administration and evaluating patients’ responses to therapy and care plans.
- Assist Registered Nurses and other team members with care coordination and evaluation.
- Promoting and supporting health education activities for disease prevention
- Bathing, feeding, repositioning, and calming newborn newborns
- Advice and instruction on infant care provided to parents of newborn infants.
- Offering emotional assistance to the parents of newborns.
How to get a nursing job in Australia
Registered nurses have numerous work prospects in Australia. Working Holiday Immigration, Employer Sponsorship, and Skilled Migrant visas are Australian visa possibilities for registered nurses.
Each Visa has distinct eligibility requirements that must be met to apply for and be granted the Visa. In addition, the Australian government has an annual cap on the number of visas it may issue, meaning that registered nurses may not be able to apply for a visa through the chosen option.
Applicants must be registered with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Board to practice nursing in Australia. To register in Australia, the majority of internationally-qualified nurses must hold a degree in nursing.
Nursing jobs in Australia: Visa for Nurses
With an anticipated 25% rise in employment in the Australian healthcare sector over the next five years, many internationally qualified nurses and midwives emigrate to Australia. Currently, nursing and midwifery vocations are included on the Australian Skilled Occupation List, Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), and Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).
Whether you intend to immigrate to Australia permanently or for a few years, you require a Visa with work privileges. Depending on your situation, your visa alternatives may include the following:
- Australian Skilled Migrant Visa
- Sponsored by Employer Visa
- Working Holiday Visa
- Other Visa with Employment Rights
Each Visa has distinct eligibility requirements and criteria.
Nursing Jobs in Australia: what tho need to know
From pediatric to critical care, Australia has excellent prospects for experienced and suitably-qualified nursing and healthcare workers. Due to the vastness of the country, its climate, geography, and population distribution, the variety of roles is great. However, the similarities in structure and healthcare methods mitigate the cultural shock.
Pay, working conditions, hours, and patient-to-provider ratios vary by region. Employers in Australia may have varied requirements for nursing positions in Australia in terms of necessary years of work experience, qualifications, and/or particular abilities similar to those of any other business.
The average weekly wage for registered nurses is $1344, and the average weekly workweek is 34.6 hours. (Source: Australian Government Employment Forecasts) Jobs and wages vary across the nation. Salaries may be greater in major metropolitan areas and lower in less populated rural locations.
Registration of Nurses in Australia
To practice medicine, healthcare, or nursing in Australia, you must register with the Australia Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Because there is only one National Register, you can practice in any Australian state once you are registered.
The registration process is a separate procedure that can be completed before visa application or approval. This will depend on your situation and the visa you are applying for.
Registered nurses are expected to complete Orientation programs; depending on their qualification level, some may be needed to take tests. Bachelor of Nursing degree holders are not required to take tests.
Visas for Australian Nursing Jobs
Current Australian Skilled List nursing and midwifery vocations include the following:
- Clinical Nursing Director
- Nurse Practitioner Midwife
- Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
- Registered Nurse (Child And Family Health)
- Registered Nurse (Community Health)
- Registered Nurse (Critical Care And Emergency)
- Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability)
- Registered Nurse (Disability And Rehabilitation)
- Registered Nurse (Medical)
- Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)
- Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
- Registered Nurse (Perioperative)
- Registered Nurse (Surgical)
- Registered Nurse (Paediatrics)
- Registered Nurses (NEC)
- Educator, Nurse (*STSO List)
- Nurse Researcher (*STSO List)
- Nurse Manager (*STSOL List)
- Registered nurse (*STSOL List – Visa sponsored by the employer only)
Before applying, you must determine your visa eligibility and specific Australian visa requirements.
Nursing jobs in Australia: Which Visa is needed?
This Visa is for applicants who intend to settle in Australia permanently or for an extended period.
The Visa comes with numerous advantages, including the ability to work in any occupation and for any employer in Australia for the principal applicant and spouse/partner. Children can attend public schools, and enrollment in Medicare, the Australian Healthcare System, is possible.
In recent years, nurses have had a high demand for the Skilled Migrant visa, and the application process has become increasingly difficult.
Employer-Sponsored Visa
This Visa is for those with a work offer and sponsorship from a qualified Australian employer. The Visa sponsored by the employer may be temporary or permanent. Most firms offer temporary sponsorships ranging from one to four years.
Working Holiday Visa
This Visa is for applicants under 31 with valid passports from an approved country. This is a 12-month visa with work authorization. Visa requirements prohibit candidates from working for a single employer for six months. More information regarding this Visa can be found at here.
How much are nurses paid in Australia?
The average annual pay for registered nurses in Australia, according to talent.com, is $80,004, or $41.03 per hour. Entry-level roles begin at $75,948 per year, while the majority of experienced employees can earn up to $98,058 per year.
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Nursing jobs in Australia: Required Qualifications
When it comes to the internal operations of a conventional hospital, a qualified nurse is equally as important as a qualified physician.
However, one must fulfil various prerequisites before becoming a certified nurse. There are three sorts of nursing credentials that can be pursued initially:
- A Senior Nursing Certificate
- A Certificate in Nursing
- Bachelor’s degrees in nursing
- (Also available as an alternative is the Baccalaureus Curationis (BCur) degree.)
The following are the prerequisites for each of these course options:
One-year Higher Certificate in Auxiliary Nursing:
Students must have obtained their National Senior Certificate (NSC) by the conclusion of their matric academic year with an overall NSC score of 16 points, including at least 40 per cent in English or their native language and at least 50 per cent in Life Science or Biology.
Three-year Advanced/Diploma in Nursing:
Students must possess a high school diploma and pass courses in mathematics, English, a first or native language, life orientation, and life science. Lastly, the student must register as a nurse with the South African Nursing Council.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (4 years):
Students must possess a high school diploma and pass courses in mathematics, English, a first or native language, life orientation, and life science. Similarly to the Diploma enrollment criteria, the student must enrol with the South African Nursing Council as a registered nurse.
Nursing jobs in Australia: Final thoughts
Nursing jobs in Australia: The demand for nurses is great, and the field has consistently shown to be financially and emotionally rewarding. Additionally, it offers a chance to influence people’s health and welfare. After obtaining initial registration, foreign nurses seeking to begin a career in Australia can hunt for work in the healthcare industry and select from various specializations.
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